• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Bronco II Drive Shaft Replacement/Measurement


ab_slack

Well-Known Member
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Oct 17, 2011
Messages
755
City
New Joisey
Vehicle Year
1987
Transmission
Manual
I been digging and have come accross different pieces of information which has been getting me confused. So I expect this has been answered, but I don't know that I am understanding what I have read.

I have 87 Bronco II, 2.9L, 4WD, 5 spd manual trans and manual transfer case. I have no idea as to exact model trans or transfer case. It is an essentially stock vehicle with no lift.

I fairly certain I have a problem with my rear drive shaft. I get a great deal of clicking when accelerating or going up hills. As I understand the OE shaft is a CV joint type shaft that was prone to failure. Most of what I been finding for replacement have been like the A1 Cardon 65-9821 labeled as GKN conversion design. Looks like this has a U joint at each end.

First question, is there any issue with a conversion such as this?

Second, assuming this is the correct item, I find there are two A1 Cardone models that have the 4 bolt flange at each end (like my existing shaft) that are for standard transmission. From what I can tell the differences are the length. The model 65-9821 is 32 11/16" long while the PN 65-9825 is 36 5/8" long.

A crude measurement of my existing shaft gave me a flange to flange dimension close to 33 inches. To me this is very close to the 32 11/16" shaft but even though it was a crude measurement it does seem slightly longer than that dimension. On the other hand 36 5/8" seems way too long so it probably can't be that, BUT

BUT my understanding is that this shaft telescopes for lack of a better word which I believe is to allow for dimension change due to suspension travel. So is this dimension specified by the manufacturer a fully compressed length, fully extended or a nominal length? If a nominal length the 32 11/16 seems just about right. If a compressed length the 32 11/16 seems like maybe too tight, but I don't know how much movement there is and the 36 5/8" would obviously be too long. If it is the fully extended length however, the 32 11/16 would be appear to be too short so perhaps the 36 5/8" one is the one I want.

I am tending to think the 32 11/16 is the nominal operating dimension for the shaft, but I seen a few things that say how to measure and there seems to be no single standard.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

Thank you.
 
Driveshafts are nearly always measured at their nominal length (usually at mid-travel of their slip or telescoping section).
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Ranger Adventure Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad

Back
Top