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Attention Joe Lucia: Joe, I've decided that I'm going to replace both half-shafts assemblies and the drive shaft assembly with "NEW reproduction pieces. Both Bairs and Vansteel sell the half-shafts with Bairs appearing more original than Vansteel's. Who else directly markets these pieces and who sells the best repro drive shaft? Again, thanks in advance.
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Re: Half-shafts and drive shaft assemblies
Jack,
Are you aware that Quanta has a restoration service for drive and half shafts? I've never see ones that they've done, but the pictures in their catalog look impressive.
Regards,
Gene -
Half-shafts and drive shaft assemblies
Jack,
I don't know what year car the drive shaft and half shafts are for, but one thing to be aware of is that during the mid-year time frame and perhaps for some C3s as well, the half shafts and drive shafts had a longitudinal weld seam. Some of the vendors who make drive shafts and half shafts now will use seamless, DOM (drawn over mandrel) tubing that does not have the longitudinal weld seam.
Some people might not know that their C2 drive shaft and half shafts indeed had a longitudinal weld seam, either because the half shafts were shot peened (those with HD suspension or BB?), or because of rust, or because the shafts were bead blasted or sanded during restoration, each of which will obliterate evidence of the weld seam. However, if you find an original mid-year drive shaft or half shaft that is not a candidate for restoration and you cut it in half you will see the weld seam as clear as day.
The half shafts I purchased from Long Island Corvette a few years ago do indeed have the weld seam. The driveshaft that a local drive shaft company made for me also has the weld seam, but it took the vendor some effort to find a supplier with the right OD tubing and with the weld seam and it took some explaining to the vendor as to why I wanted to use inferior quality tubing. These days, DOM tubing is evidently the norm, so the older stock is harder to find.
GaryComment
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Re: Half-shafts and drive shaft assemblies
Jack-----
I don't know who else makes these pieces or which ones are the best. I very much doubt that Bair's or Van Steel actually manufactures their own shafts---they likely get them from another manufacturing entity. However, I can tell you this: I've never seen a reproduction drive shaft or half shaft with the yoke ends exactly the same as the original GM yoke ends (originally used on 63-74 models).In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Half-shafts and drive shaft assemblies
Reproductions are being made from Fort Wayne Clutch. I purchased a driveshaft for my 65 driver and for less than 100.00 w/shipping, looks good to me. Came with u joints also. They told me they also make half shafts, but I didn't get the price. FWC said they also use a heavier wall tubing than stock. Worth checking out unless you gotta have originals.Comment
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Re: Half-shafts and drive shaft assemblies
Take a peek!!
HarryComment
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