Only .5 to 3/4 play after drive shaft shortened

[nick455440]

QUESTION, after getting the drive shaft cut down, measured with wheels on ramps and weight in car so the suspension was at ride hight. Have read ideal play on the drive shaft is 1 inch, after cut down it more like half to 3/4 inch play. Q1- Is this a little to tight, and Q2 though about taking a quarter inch off of the tail shaft splines for a little extra room vs having the shaft cut again, has anyone ever done this? Any issues? … thanks all for any info

 

[CFD244]

 

[318willrun]

Nothing wrong with .75 inch of play. Also, the type of seal on the back of the transmission can sometimes create a false positive stop. If it's a truck and you'll be hauling 2000 pounds of wood on a logging trail, then I'd shoot for a little more play.

 

[Bobzilla]

QUESTION, after getting the drive shaft cut down, measured with wheels on ramps and weight in car so the suspension was at ride hight. Have read ideal play on the drive shaft is 1 inch, after cut down it more like half to 3/4 inch play. Q1- Is this a little to tight, and Q2 though about taking a quarter inch off of the tail shaft splines for a little extra room vs having the shaft cut again, has anyone ever done this? Any issues? … thanks all for any info

Jack up and support the car by the rear frame rails, forward of the leaf spring front hangers. Let the rear axle sag all the way down with shocks still installed. Now recheck your play. If I remember correctly, the axle gets closer to the transmission as the rear axle pivots down on the front spring eye.