Drive shaft safety loops
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Drive shaft safety loops
Has anyone installed driveshaft loops on their trucks. I busted a u-joint today and in the process i busted up the entire driveshaft. I'd like to mimimize this possibility in the future. Also i'd like to be confident if it does happen again i'm not going to become a pole vaulter...Thanks for any ideas guys
Ryan
Ryan
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo USA
Drive shaft safety loops
I have never put one on a truck, but we do put them on all our circle track cars (NASCAR RULE). Loops arent desinged to save your shaft, their purpose is to keep your shaft from bouncing around on the track and put someone else in danger ,by hitting or running it over.
I would think even if you had one, you would still probably get a bend or dent in the shaft somewhere, usually only one joint goes and leaves the other still turnig the shaft, so it will still be bouncing around. Also depending on how much your truck is lifted would affect the lenth of the loop and that may hinder your off roading ability.
Just my 2 cents
*****
I would think even if you had one, you would still probably get a bend or dent in the shaft somewhere, usually only one joint goes and leaves the other still turnig the shaft, so it will still be bouncing around. Also depending on how much your truck is lifted would affect the lenth of the loop and that may hinder your off roading ability.
Just my 2 cents
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Drive shaft safety loops
Actually i was cruising down the highway. I'm fairly sure it was a defective u-joint, i just replaced them last month. The other one is perfectly fine. If the driveshaft hadn't smashed into the ground it would still be fine, the shaft isn't dented or anything, it just destroyed the yoke by hitting the ground, also i want to mimimize the possiblility of it going through the gas tank, it dented it this time, but it could have been worse.
Ryan
Ryan
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
Drive shaft safety loops
I use them on my truck...I just made my own, and they are piece of cake to put on. All it is is a strip of metal like a U that catches your driveline if it drops. Sure, its usually the rear u-joint that lets go, but if its the forward one that pops the driveline can dig in when it drops and send you for an endo. Seen it happen which is why I use 'em now.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 304
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From: san diego usa
Drive shaft safety loops
Get someone to fab a mount to the differential housings. That way you can use a loop that moves with the driveshaft, you won't have to worry about clearance problems or wheel travel, and if the u-joint snaps, the driveshaft won't have as much room to bobble around, which means less damage. For the transfer case end, use a regular setup since there's not as much movement, and you generally have more clearance there anyway. Also, if you sleeve the inside of the loops with a nylon collar, the driveshaft won't get scored if it hits the loop.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: Glendale USA
Drive shaft safety loops
one trick alot of off-roaders do down her is if this is a 4x4 truck 70% of the time the u-joint at the slip joint is the one that breaks first what we do is flip the driveshaft around so the slip joint is near the differential not the transfer case so when it breaks it is easier to replace a slip joint than replacing the whole drive shaft
besides being easier it is also alot cheaper. As for a defective u-joint well you can break a u-joint and not see any visible damage
but it could still be out of balance and you will eat u-joints every month or few weeks
besides being easier it is also alot cheaper. As for a defective u-joint well you can break a u-joint and not see any visible damage
but it could still be out of balance and you will eat u-joints every month or few weeks
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Drive shaft safety loops
I was thinking about making something up and welding it on so that if i broke a u-joint it wouldnt damage anything. Few years ago this guy my dad knew (i was like 12, so i barely remember) had a u joint let go on his truck. The rear driveshaft just spun and basically beat the crap out of the bottom of the truck. My friend has a jeep wranger (89) that one of the front u joints let go doing 85 on the highway. Since, on a jeep, the whole front assembly spins unlike ford, it destroyed the front axle, transfer case, cut fuel lines, and cracked the bellhousing. He took the jeep off the road for a few months. Now, i don't need anything like that happeneing to me so i think over the summer i will fab something up with the ol welder.
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Primary rig is:
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds
NEW PICS IN MY GALLERY!! :-)
Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter baby. Top speed, 65mph, Go Baby Go!
The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 936
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From: Bay area
Drive shaft safety loops
I do not know if you could feel the thing shaking because it was going or what.
but every time I have had a U joint going I have known and was able to replace it before it let loose.
as for u joints, I never could keep a cheapo auto parts store joint to last very long.
I am only using spicers now. they can be bought at any local driveline shop.
but every time I have had a U joint going I have known and was able to replace it before it let loose.
as for u joints, I never could keep a cheapo auto parts store joint to last very long.
I am only using spicers now. they can be bought at any local driveline shop.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Drive shaft safety loops
The ujoint that broke actually broke the body of the joint...it was almost a brand new joint so i couldn't tell it went bad....it just busted.
Ryan
Ryan
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