North American Turbocoupe Organization



Driveshaft play
CB900Fer Offline
Member
#1
So I posted on another thread a few weeks back about a relatively bad vibration I've been having for about 8 months to a year now. I was thinking possibly my driveshaft was misaligned, even though I don't know of any index markings. Also, all my balancers/weights are still intact.

Well I crawled under the car today to check maybe driveshaft bolts, or maybe a bearing in the rear end, but everything is tight, with NO play.

Then I went to the front of the driveshaft and pushed/pulled up and down (perpendicular to the driveshaft), and I have about 1/8" of play. And when I push/pull up and down I can hear it going further into the transmission a bit (maybe 6 inches?). (There is no forward/backward slop.)

So my question is, what bushing/bearing is this? After searching others' posts i get the idea that there are one of two bushings it could be, but I may be mistaken. Any help on this?

Also I noticed that there was a $120 tool to get this bushing out. Is there anywhere this tool can be rented, or a homemade way to get this bushing out?
1979 Honda XR250
1980 Honda CR80 Elsinore - sold
1981 Honda CB900F Super Sport
1988 Ford Thunderbird TC - 2.3T, 5 speed, K&N, Gillis, dynomax dual exhaust.
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#2
Assuming the play isnt in the U joint, the problem is a worn out tailshaft bushing. Its just a thin wall (brass??) bushing pressed into the end of the tailshaft housing. The good news, a kit with a new bushing and seal costs under $10. The bad news: Bushing is a PITA to replace (must remove the tailshaft housing) unless you have the special bushing removal/install tool. If you have the tool, removing the old bearing and installing the new one takes under 5 minutes once the driveshaft has been removed. The tools show up on Ebay every so often. Might also want to check with a local "mom and pop" tranny shop and see if they will loan you the tool for a few bucks. I dont think the parts stores have these tools available for rent.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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CB900Fer Offline
Member
#3
Okay, that's what I assumed from reading the other threads on the topic. So to remove the tailshaft housing I assume you would have to remove the tranny from the car? (honestly not a big deal since i've done it once by myself already :p Definitely not ideal though).

But I also know a guy in town who has about 7 TCs/cougars, and does a bunch of work on them. I might check to see if he happens to have the tool. Otherwise I might keep my eyes open on Ebay.

Thanks Jeff!
1979 Honda XR250
1980 Honda CR80 Elsinore - sold
1981 Honda CB900F Super Sport
1988 Ford Thunderbird TC - 2.3T, 5 speed, K&N, Gillis, dynomax dual exhaust.
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Not B Anymore Offline
Administrator
#4
If the guy you know doesn't have the tool, you can borrow mine if you want. Just pay to ship it both ways.
Brian Leavitt
'86 TC 5-Speed -- MS2x w/COP | 83 lb. injectors | T3/T4 50 Trim Stage 3 .63AR | Full 3" Exhaust - No Cat | Motorsport FMIC | Ranger Roller | Ported E6 | Walbro 255HP | Kirban | 20psi | 120-amp 3G | 8.8" 3.55 rear | '03 Cobra Wheels
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kunar Offline
Member
#5
got any pics of said tool? any way to make one ?
1987 Turbo Coupe
1987 Ranger 4.0, 4x4
1991 Escort GT
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5.0TurboCoupe1988 Offline
Posting Freak
#6
here is the tool i bought. it's $114 with shipping. it works great.

http://www.atoztool.com/2200.html

BTW, the bushing is not brass. i think it's steel.
1988 TC 2.3/5-Speed, 148K
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CB900Fer Offline
Member
#7
Awesome guys, thanks for all the help.

B, I emailed the guy here in town, so I'll see what he's got. Otherwise I'll probably take you up on that offer. Looks like it'll be around $30 total to ship it both ways.

Thanks again!
1979 Honda XR250
1980 Honda CR80 Elsinore - sold
1981 Honda CB900F Super Sport
1988 Ford Thunderbird TC - 2.3T, 5 speed, K&N, Gillis, dynomax dual exhaust.
Reply

CB900Fer Offline
Member
#8
Okay, it's been a while since I've updated my post, so I thought I would finish off the thread for anyone else who may be having this same problem. Thanks to B who loaned me the tool, the bushing came out like a breeze -- couldn't have been easier. Probably the "hardest" part was getting the rubber part of the seal out of the transmission housing, but a little gentle prying with a screwdriver it came out fine.

When I got the bushing out I could see the problem -- the inside was clearly worn: it was brass colored (for a normally steel-colored bushing), and there were wear marks even into the oil grooves. So I gently hammered the new bushing in with the same removal tool, and now I have no vibrations -- from the driveshaft area anyway :p

Previously traveling down the freeway at about 70-80 mph my shift lever and clutch were transmitting an insane and obnoxious amount of vibration, but now there is only a slight vibration from the engine. And I now that I have the tranny bushing fixed I think have uncovered the fact that my tires are out of balance Smile So I still have some sort of vibration that starts at about 60mph, but it's definitely different than before.

So, my thanks goes to B -- a $130 job went down to only $30. Thanks all!

-Seth
1979 Honda XR250
1980 Honda CR80 Elsinore - sold
1981 Honda CB900F Super Sport
1988 Ford Thunderbird TC - 2.3T, 5 speed, K&N, Gillis, dynomax dual exhaust.
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