Re: [Amc-list] Vibration in '63 American 440-H

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Welcome to the list! 

Most likely you have a bad universal joint -- that would be what I'd check first.
You have the "big nut" driveshaft/rear axle. There's a large nut around the yoke on the rear axle. This is on slightly tapered threads that close on the pinion shaft of the axle as it's tightened. If the drive shaft has been out recently it may not have been installed correctly. There's a measurement for the placement of the rear yoke, but I don't have it available right now, maybe someone with a 58-64 American TSM handy can post the measurement. Check that if the joints are good. If it's off, the nut needs to be loosened and the yoke driven back to the correct measurement. That nut has to be tightened to 250 ft/lbs! That's about as tight as you can get it with a couple large wrenches (you need about 24" handles or cheater pipes!). One wrench fits on two flats at the end of the driveshaft. I've used a pair of 24" pipe wrenches, with one braced against the floor then me pulling as hard as possible on the other with the car on a lift. I weighed just shy of 200 pounds at the tim
 e. 

If the U-joints are bad, there's an easier way to get the shaft off! Jack the car up by the rear axle and support the rear axle (or use a lift that goes under the tires). Then dissasemble the rear joint under the car. Remove the caps from the cross in the rear yoke, then twist the cross and drop it out. Works best if one of the rear tires is free of the ground so you can easily rotate the shaft. It's tough to get the inside clips on and off, but it's a lot easier than distrubing the rear yoke. The factory says unbolt the rear axle and move it back, then loosen that big nut and take the driveshaft off. Lots more work! If you jack the body up and don't put weight on the axle the springs sag and move the axle just far enough forward that the shaft won't come out even if you disassemble all the caps. 


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Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:33:42 -0500
From: javelindreams <javelindreams@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi all...new member to the list here...

I have a question, but I'll give everyone some background first. We have a
'68 Javelin SST that just received a "rolling restoration"; body/paint, new
engine (street mod '70 304) and trans ('70 T35 auto) and new interior. We
also have a 71 AMX w/go pack & 401, red on red. The '71 is on a rotisserie
right now undergoing a 100% restoration. Anyway, that's our AMC line up...or
it was until tonight... We just drove home our newest addition; a '63
American 440-H with twin-stick, all original, red w/white top & red
interior...cute little bugger. He (the last owner was a lady who swore its a
he) has some vibration between 40 and 55 mph. Smooths out a bit at 60.
Vibration seems to be in the chassis - don't feel any in the steering wheel.
Since I'm new to this car, I'm just guessing, but I'm thinking drivetrain -
possibly driveshaft or rear end?



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