U joint Question

I threw a universal joint on my 41 M2-4 while at Carlisle last month. I pulled out the rear drive shaft and was able to use the front wheel drive. When I went to get a new u joint I find these are as rare as hens teeth. But I also found something more rare. The original straps were spot welded to the caps. Has anyone seen this before on older vehicles? New u joints do not have straps, no one has them. I will have to grind off one strap from the old cap and salvage the one that lost a cap. Why are these welded and can I get away with just not spot welding them to the cap? I am stumped and need your help on this one.

Can you post a picture of what you have.

I know I noticed U Joint u bolts somewhere on-line recently.

Have you tried a local Fleet Pride shop?

Eric Fleet Pride was my first stiop, they sent me to several specialty shops. I did get an old spicer number and found 1 NOS joint in Califirnia. However it is a standard u joint and with standard caps. I will take pictures in the morning. I did find an International (IHC) hard to find parts guy who rebuilds the old u joints and sells them. I am scarfing up everyone I can find. Spicer has not made any of these since the late 60's. I will take pictures and post tomorrow or later this evening.

Here is what the original u joints were. I got this picture from another owner. I would pay dearly for the one in the pictute..Now Spicer made compatible joints, that were identical but the straps were modified by spot welding them onto the caps. I have one of the last spicers. The one in my truck that let lose was a spicer and not an IHC like this one. Having a 70 year old truck is challenging...

I need help on this one guys. That is why I am reviving it. You out there Papabear??

atankersdad said:

I need help on this one guys. That is why I am reviving it. You out there Papabear??

Click to expand...

Dudley,

If need be I can fabricate the caps for you. I'm not fast since it would be a late evening job for me, but I can make them.

The caps with the straps spot welded on were also used on some PTO shafts.

Could you post up the part number and brand? Maybe a few of us can try searching a bit on the net.

That's new to me-but I will say I have had really good luck with my local driveshaft shop. They've been able to source all sorts of oddball 1930's and 1940's stuff for me in the past.