stevenc1703

I have a 1998 trans am with so much changed out that I doubt the drive shaft is original but how do I tell? The only thing I know is that it is a 3". I asked the guy I bought it from and he doesn't know. Any help here would be great.

S10xGN

iTrader: (11)

What are you looking for, u-joints? A replacement shaft?

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

post a pic.....

stevenc1703

I'm making a list of things that I want/need to change. Not sure if the drive shaft needs to be on it.

Ill get a picture up soon.

stevenc1703

I got some pics, looks like a spicer can't read all the numbers on it though. Also looks like I need another cap, one was missing about half of the bar bearings. So is spicer factory original? How can I tell if it's steel or not? It wasn't crazy heavy but not light and I didn't pull the yoke out cause I didn't want to lose any trans fluid.

S10xGN

iTrader: (11)

If the retainers are all on the outside, measuring the cap diameter and distance from cap edge to cap edge:

joint series:

1310: 1 1/16" x 3 1/8"
1330: 1 1/16" x 3 5/8"
1350: 1 3/16" x 3 5/8"

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

That driveshaft or the u joints dont look stock. Why? Because where the caps are would be a hole with plastic sticking out. They used melted plastic retainers on the stock u joints, which you dont have based on the pics.

farmington

iTrader: (14)

all m6 cars and a4 cars with 3.23 gears got aluminum shafts, 2.73 cars got a steel shaft. how to check? get a magnet if you can't tell

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

We succeeded that point fella. Thats not an aluminum ear, its steel or chromoly and it doesnt have the hole in it for plastic injection. Try to keep up next time mmmk?

stevenc1703

Yea, it's magnetic. So what we know so far is it's steel, 3", and made by spicer. Im guessing it can take a good bit of power safely?

stevenc1703

Looks like a 1350 using a digital caliper. Should any 1350 cap work?

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Yeah it should. Yes a 3 inch steel spicer ds should be a lot better then stock. It wont bolt to a 10 bolt rear end without a conversion joint.

S10xGN

iTrader: (11)

Replace the whole joint, not just the cap. Cheap insurance against a major fail...

stevenc1703

Do any brands standout above the rest?

dailydriver

IF Spicer still makes the conversion u joint you need (you do still have a factory GM 3R rear pinion yoke {made by Saginaw, I beleive?}, correct??), I would get that.

If not, the Moogs, Precision HEAVY DUTY (stay away from their standard stuff), and Neapco BRUTE FORCE (again, stay clear of their standard crap) are decent.

stevenc1703

No, I have a strange 12 bolt. I went with a summit racing 1350 u joint with grease fittings. It was a pain to press out but I got it done. The ride feels smooth but I need to figure out how to set the pinion angle. I have an angle finder and a bmr torque arm but how do I level the car on jack stands? Is there a place on the frame that is level to the ground so I can make sure I'm level?

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

I need to make a thread on correcting driveline angles for vibration! Such a pain in the butt explaining it every time with no pictures. I will work on that for ya bud....

stevenc1703

That would be great.