Page 1 of 1

Fix drive shaft ball play, shrink ring

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 4:48 am
by Vonau
Hello T-people

I had a lot of play in my driveshaft ball. I wasn't very impressed with the provider's insert disc and so I've been thinking for a while about how I could solve the problem.

While straightening the rear axle, I had the idea of ​​trying to heat and cool the ring.

It took some patience and several rounds of heating and slow cooling until I had shrunk the ring enough. But it worked well and it fits perfectly. I can even insert a gasket to remove it in the future if it wears out.

I thought maybe this could help someone else too......

greetings from Switzerland

Re: Fix drive shaft ball play, shrink ring

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:51 am
by Dollisdad
Certainly an idea worth a try. Thanks.

Re: Fix drive shaft ball play, shrink ring

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:08 pm
by Adam
Most times, it’s the ball cap that’s worn out, not the drive shaft ball. About half the ball caps I get are not acceptable cores and get scrapped. Also, a lot of T owners think the drive shaft ball is worn out, when in reality they are installing a gasket behind the ball cap (between the ball cap and drive shaft ball retainer) where it doesn’t belong, therefore creating excess play.

In your case, I’m thinking the drive shaft ball actually was worn and you had no choice but to repair it due to the limited availability of decent used parts in your part of the world.