Cobra drive installation questions

[Robar]

When reinstalling the drive, whats the easiest way to line up the spline? Put the drive in gear and rotate, or do you have room to turn it at the u-joint still with the drive in neutral?<br /><br />If in gear, do you put the shift lever in gear to line up on the shift rod, or reach in with a screwdriver etc., and put the shift rod back in neutral before sliding the drive all the way in?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cobra drive installation questions

I use a long thin screwdriver and rotate the ujoint shaft. if you have the old style bellows coat the shaft with dishwashing liquid or KY jelly. I always but them on in netrual. be careful not to stick the bellows

 

[Robar]

Re: Cobra drive installation questions

Thanks - I'll try that way. I don't know the difference in old vs. new style bellows. It is ribbed all the way around if that gives you a hint.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cobra drive installation questions

the new style has a larger opening for the ujoint shaft. some of the older ones were somewhat tight.another trick I use is to measure from the center of the gimbal bore to the ground. then measure from the tip of the skeg to the center of the upper. use wood blocks on the ground the thickness required to make both measurments the same. let the wood support the drive weight. I do them daily by myself and I aint big enough anymore to hold them up. the only ones I wont do alone is the bravo 2 and 3 units. most the rest I can manage myself.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Cobra drive installation questions

Robar, service manual says reinstall the drive in neutral. My '89 4.3L has plenty of room to rotate the ujoint with a long screwdriver.<br /><br />Like Rodbolt says, much easier if you don't have to support the drive while you maneuver and align the shaft. If you're only gonna pull it once or twice, Rodbolt's temp solution sounds quick & easy. If you're gonna pull it regularly (like to service the ujoints each season), might be worth making a drive holder.<br /><br /> homemade outdrive holders