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Choose Universal Joints And Driveshafts For Your Mustang

Selecting The Right Universal Joints And Driveshaft For A Smooth, Vibration-Free Ride
By Jim Smart
Photography by Jim Smart
Joints

Spicer Joints
These are typical Spicer universal joints from Inland Empire Driveline. On the left is a 1310 with a grease zerk and internal C-clip bearing caps. On the right is a 1330 sized for a big-block Mustang and designed for external clips. Note the absence of a grease zerk on the right because the 1330 is lifetime lubricated. Lifetime-lubricated universal joints are stronger because they're solid steel and void of internal grease passages.
Basic Joint
Basic universal joint size is apparent here. This is a 1330 with 111/48-inch caps. Cap size depends on application. You can select universal joints sized for two different yoke sizes by going with two bearing cap sizes. Inland Empire Driveline can help you with the details. As a rule, bearing cap size is the same for 360 degrees in most Ford applications.
Spicer
There are several universal joint and yoke manufacturers. Spicer has the greatest amount of driveline experience in the industry. Inland Empire Driveline uses Spicer in all its driveshaft applications.
Outline  Dimenstions
When ordering universal joints, these are the dimensions you will need. "E" is yoke saddle length from bearing cap end to bearing cap end. "D" is bearing cap outside diameter. "A" is from bearing cap to bearing cap. The basic Spicer number will be 1260, 1310, 1330, or 1350. In Mustang V-8 applications, 1310 is most common. Big-blocks use 1330. If you're racing, get the 1350.
Replace Professionally
Universal joints should be replaced by a professional driveline shop. Beating on the caps with a hammer is foolish because it may cause damage and bearing failure. Hitting them with a hammer can knock out needle bearings, wedging them between the cap and joint or losing them entirely. Play it safe and always use a hydraulic press to replace universal joints. Any neighborhood machine shop or repair facility will have a press.
C Clips
When it's time to replace universal joints and internal C-clips are involved, we suggest a new driveshaft with external retaining clips. When installed properly, the clips remain secure and safe. Early Mustangs had internal C-clips for easy installation during manufacture, but they can sometimes fly out, yielding an unsafe condition.
Slip Yoke
Basic driveshaft elements include, from left, a slip-yoke, a universal joint, and a driveshaft. The slip-yoke rides smoothly in and out of the transmission as the rear axle articulates with road conditions. Universal joints allow articulation and power transfer. As a rule, they're sized the same fore and aft in stock applications. Slip and pinion yokes vary according to application. There were a lot of running changes during the first nine years of Mustang production. Expect to see variations throughout a given model year.
Identically Size
Shown here are identically sized universal joints for different applications. On the left is a Spicer 1310 designed for a steel driveshaft. On the right is a 1310 intended for an aluminum shaft with a protective coating on the bearing caps. Because aluminum and steel are dissimilar metals, corrosion can set in quickly, causing bearing cap failure.
Basic Elements
Here are the basic elements of a driveshaft assembly. Your Mustang's driveshaft is a steel or aluminum tube fitted with cast-iron or aluminum yokes pressed in and welded to each end. Assembly is a precision process that must be carefully followed for smooth operation. Inline Empire Driveline builds driveshafts to order using Spicer components. Unless you have an odd combination of driveline components, Mustangs Plus can ship an Inland Empire Driveline shaft designed for your application from inventory
Two Pieace Shaft
Here's a two-piece, rubber-insulated Ford driveshaft, common to Mustangs with automatic transmissions. While Ford took this approach to reduce vibration, two-piece shafts actually develop vibration and strength issues over time and use. We suggest replacing it with a steel or aluminum one-piece shaft for safety and reliability. Unless you're building a concours-restored show car, there's no reason to use a two-piece shaft.
Two Slip Yokes
Here's a comparison of slip-yokes. A Spicer 1350/28-spline is on the left and a more common 1310/25-spline is on the right.

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Slip Yokes Outline  Measuring
Oscillation  60S Slip Yokes
 
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