[s-cars] Re: Noises after replaced 5-Speed

[bob.rossato at att.net]

Well I'll have to qualify my statement that the alignment tool keeps both
halves of the prop shaft in the same plane (not two planes) is based on the
drawing in the Bentley/factory repair manual.  It shows the tool as being a
straight bar with four blocks attached that have a semi-circular cut at the
top to pick up on the diameter of the prop shaft.  If that is an accurate
depiction of the real tool then you could easily make up your own with a
section of square tubing and some appropriately sized U-bolt exhaust clamps.

I can't imagine why you would want to introduce an angle but anything is
possible.

The prop shaft is also supposed to be centered within the front to back
movement allowed by the system.  There are also alignment marks on the CV
joints at either end of the propshaft as well as the mating flanges.  If the
alignment marks aren't present you are supposed to mark both halves before
removing the prop shaft.  How much that matters, I don't really know.  I
would imagine that proper centering and shimming of the bearing mount is the
most important.

When we did the clutch on Mike P.'s avant we didn't have the tool but we
marked everything before hand and made sure that the shims were maintained.
I don't believe he's had a problem from vibration.

Bob

> I've just had my prop shaft in and out by an expert, and have the exact
> symptoms described. I would have sworn something was rubbing, but it wasn't.
> Fiddling with the centre bearing certainly helped but it's still not quite
> right. Now, could anybody confirm that the propshaft alignment tool keeps it
> (the propshaft) straight in two planes, as somebody wrote earlier, or does
> it introduce any angle at the centre joint (as I have just been reliably
> informed). If the former I'm going to make one up, if the latter it's a
> different proposition and it's off to the stealer (or more time on my back
> fiddling).
>
> Adrian Hart
>
> UK
>