Custom built prop too short???

Hello all

I have had a long standing problem after a 2 inch lift on my 90. I bit the bullet and bought a custom front propshaft from a well known supplier. I gave the measurements at 68cm standing between both flanges.

The supplier recommended a wide yoke and suggested in their experience there was no need for a double carden.

I had a mechanic fit new bearings and seals in the T box, and castor correction bushes.

The bearings went on the first 90 mile journey just after they were fitted and the oil p-ssed out of the T box on the way home from the mechanics. This was a recon box from a disco which I fitted specially.

So... I bought another front prop from the supplier - a double carden at £220. I have just taken their first wide yoke one off and discovered the following:

The original custom wide yoke only has 4 cm of travel - the remainder of the shaft is sprayed in thick black paint and the female part will not travel over this. If I had this black painted bit working it would still only take me to 7cm travel. Also, the travel is very strained and takes quite a bit of effort to move in and out - despite the grease on it. From a standing 68 cm the prop will extend only a further 3 cm to max.

The new double carden travels 10.5 cm and there is no paint on the shaft at all. From a standing 68cm the prop will extend 7 cm to max.

I believe that the original wide yoke lacked enough travel to cope and literally pushed/pulled the new bearing until it failed and the seal gave way.

Can anyone tell me if I am barking up the right tree? I attach pictures of the wide yoke and the replacement double carden in their respective maximum extended positions for comparison.

I have left out the name of the company as I will wait for an explanation from them.

Have just closely examined the original wide yoke and there is no hole in the plastic cap at the short end which allows air to enter and escape the expansion chamber as the prop opens and closes - so effectively it was hardly working on my vehicle due to alternating vaccuum and pressurised resistance - it was acting more like a damper than a propshaft. Not good for the transfer box methinks...

if it were me i screw the company you got it off the bastids

Hi Gcoo

This is going to cost me a recon transfer box and the fitting of it, more than likely. It's Sunday and I'm trying to keep calm until Monday!

Here are the pics of the plastic caps - the one with no hole is on the original wide yoke prop.

what did they say when you bought a second prop from them did they not ask why you wanted it and what was up with the old one?

I told them and they suggested the double carden and said they could not be certain why the first problem occurred.

They advised the double carden had a travel range of at least 100mm and said that was normal, which makes me wonder why I got one with 70mm range and 300mm of that covered in paint which then only gave me 40mm range. There were also vibration issues with the first prop, at 50mph.

Today's inspection shows some pretty obvious physical issues.