I had my driveshaft stored while I was working on the engine swap. In the process I lost one of the caps at the rear end. Can I just buy another u joint and replace just the cap or do I have to replace the u joint? Which one do I buy? It's for a 1970 Cutlass.

Thanks.

 

You need to replace the ujoint. They can be had at your local auto parts store.

 

Not all trunnions are the same diameter. If the trunnion has absolutely no wear and the new and old are exactly the same diameter, yes you could just replace the cap and needles.

 

In my experience, no two are alike

maybe others have better luck

new UJ's are cheap

 

Theoretically, if both joints are identical, you could just replace the missing cap with one of the new ones, but since, at that point, you've already spent the time and the money getting a new joint, why not install it? The old joint may have some wear on it. A bit of time with a big vise or a press could save a job later. Next time you take off the shaft for storage, wrap something (like some clean plastic) around each end. It'll prevent lost parts and keep the crud out.

 

Thanks for the replies and advice. I had a plastic bag over it, but somehow I managed to lose it anyway.
After I read Eric's post I ended up dropping it off at the local driveshaft shop. MAW have it checked out and balanced.
MAW's have creeping up in last couple of weeks.

 

I have had the cap drop and spill the needles into the dirt. UGH
You can never find them all of course

So then what?
use ONE of the old ones...

 

For $15 I go and buy a new one.