Should gearbox be central

[dickspanner]

I know this sounds a bizaar question, but last night as one of my final jobs of the night i offered the geearbox ends of my driveshafts to the gearbox and one was short and one was long with a difference of around 40mm.

Have I made a schoolbob error in assuming that the driveshafts are the same length and got them the wrong way or do I have a major headache ahead in relation to rebuilding my engine support cross member. The V6 is sat central at the rear of the crewcab but it has thrown up this error.

Cheers

Dickspanner

[CovKid]

Play in the CV joints could create differences in length but otherwise no, they are the same length

[R0B]

i know auto driveshafts are different lengths.have you used these shafts before.or have you bought them and this is the first time you will of used them...

[dickspanner]

No I have never used the shafts before but I am going to my lock up toight and I am going to take them off and measure them.

If they are the same length then the engine is coming back out again anf I am going to have to modify the support bracket after a lot of measuring and head scratching, I will update later tonight when I come back.

Bugger, but hey hoe its the way some things go.

Dickspanner.

[dickspanner]

Well I went to my lock up and took some measurements and decided that the cradle needed modifying. I set about cutting the ends off, rebolted the ends to the chassis and bolted the cradle to the engine. Jacked it back into place and took some measurements. The distance from gearbox flange to centre of swinging arm directly under the shocker showed a 45mm difference. I set about moving the engine across and I have now got the difference down to 20mm but everything about it looks wrong and it feels wrong. The engine is no longer central in the engine bay and when you look at it in the lowered position it is offset and looks wrong. The engine and gearbox are no longer parallel to the vehicle.

Advice sought???

[R0B]

did you measure the driveshafts...?

[syncrosimon]

It must be scew wiff.

Measure the gearbox center line at the front, and then the engine at the back. If you move the gearbox nose to the right then it will move the engine back to the left, pivoting around the driveshafts which it must be best to bolt back in.

[dickspanner]

Rob,

I did not take the driveshafts out as when I took measurements to fixed points on the body tub to the gearbox flanges they all seamed to point the same differences that were being shown by the driveshafts, and I am sure that when I rebuilt the driveshafts I measured them off and thought these are the same. I wanted to ask the question about different lengths incase I had not remembered.

I am going back tonight and going to undertake some further investigations as there is something schoolboyish wrong with what I have done and when I find it and reveal it I will probably end up feeling a right plantpot. SOmething has happened as I know I can not be this wrong.

I was ready to start assemleing it all as well, all parts sat there ready for bolting back together and this happens. Doh.

I will posta couple more piccies of the rebuild on my 2.9 thread under alternatives if I get chance today at work and will keep you posted as to what other things I find out about this gearbox and may ask some more questions.

Not sure what you mean about moving gearbox nose round? gearbox mount is in original place, you talking about remounting front of gearbox if that is the problem?

Dickspanner

[JamesT25]

dickspanner you have a PM

[dickspanner]

Well at this moment in time there is no solution.

I popped down to lock up tonight and took engine out, will measure everything up and weigh everything up then post results and seek opinions.

Cheers for advice so far.

Dickspanner

[dickspanner]

Well after suspicions of a school boy error the whole assemble was dropped to the floor and driveshafts removed. The driveshafts are the same length at circa 540mm.

When I looked at the rear mount assembly it showed it to the drivers side buy a small amount so after looking at the mounting points I had installed them in the same location as previous, so I tapped the second set of holes out and bolted the gearbox back up (moving the gearbox over to the drivers side), but after a second set of measures the driveshaft flanges are still off set with a 30mm difference.

It looks like the mount I have used has pushed the rear mount across, but I am not sure what vehicle the mount is off. I think that I will have to fabricate a full rear gearbox mount next week to pull the gearbox over to the centre of the cab and weld it up with the assembly central.

I will post a piccie of the rear gearbox assembly later tonight.

Dickspanner

[dickspanner]

Two sets of gearbox bolt holes, original holes used are on right (passengerside), but when you bolt the assembly in these holes it is a offset distance mentioned earlier. I tapped the other set of holes clean and re-bolted the assemly in place and it is still off set.



The rear mount can be seen to be sitting over to the drivers side (Hence pushing the assembly across to passenger side). DOes anybody recognise this rear mount, are different ones available that will alleviate the off set problem, or should I fabricate a new bracket.

Cheers for advice so far and we will get there in the end and full piccies will show build in modified section.

Dickspanner

[Aidan]

that's a 5 speed mount, can't say wether petrol or diesel without checking the rubber for part number.
lots of 4 speeds here if required.

[dickspanner]

Aiden,

Will give you a call as need tp pop down and have a chat with you about a replacement gearbox for my cossy motor when I get some spare cash. I will bring mount (both parts with me) when I pop down.

Intend to start the rear mount next week so would be worth popping in for a chat anyhow.

Cheers

Dickspanner

[Aidan]

no worries, see you whenever, be here everyday for next two weeks.