Propshaft UJ's, Do I modify?
My 463 Front Prop , ( axle end) UJ has decided to die!
I took it to my local GKN place, who said they don't have the crimping tools to fot that size of UJ any longer, they offered a solution of cutting and welding etc so I would have a normal type uj in that end.
Price about £150 including balancing etc, though if I go for this as its easiest being local and they assure me no balancing problems, I loose the OE design and the much easier form of greasing with exterior grease nipple.
They said the original UJ's about £80 and it is possible to weld them in, though they wouldn't recommend it.
Do I drive the day return trip to Bailey Morris? Anyone experience of them?
Make the trip - they rebuilt my propshafts with OEM parts, re-machining and fixing a bodged 'spot welded' retaining washer at no extra cost. They know what they are doing IMHO.
The job is within Bailey Morris's capabilities. Post the shaft to them but if you want to drive down, its your choice.
Alternatively, once the UJ's are inserted and best positioned, using machined steel disc which will fit the outside of the cap ends, tack weld at quadrants securing the UJ in place. Any future work means grinding off the tack welding and the joint can be re-worked. I have never done this my self but it always has been a concept.
Alternatively, ask a local Mercedes Benz commericals work shop to see if they have a crimping tool?
Good advice fron Rakesh I have used Bailey Morris ( for a new rear propshaft) and can recomend them. Not cheap but good service and a quality product.
Also used Propshaft Services near Heathrow for a front propshaft front UJ repair can again recomend them.
I think a quality repair is imperitive to avoid any inbalance in the shaft and all the problem vibrations that can go with a bodged repair.
Did you get it rebalanced when you had the new uj fitted?
I have just spoken to Baily Morris about renewing all UJs. They told me the can't fit these as they are staked and to use Propshaft services in London. As I have a local propshaft centre which can renew staked UJs I will give them a try and report back.
No - assumed it was balanced and have had no problems with it or the repair by Propshaft services.
Hi Kevin,
You are using a new term to me; by 'staked' do mean crimped as I know it? Alright crimping would require a larger surface area to be folded over, this is basically a lined stamp, as accurate as I can describe it.
Kev, theres a firm in Skewen that do it to
Thanks for that Paul. Think I have found them.
Hi Rakesh the term I have always used is staked. This seems to be the term that Baily Morris recognise but crimped would be a fair description. I just commented as having spoken to Baily Morris they said they cannot do these shafts which seemed odd as many G owners recommended them. They pointed me towards the firm in London which is where they send this type of work. The information I am providing came directly from the sales department at Baily Morris so I was confused as to how they had so many reccommendations.
Hi All
Bailey Morris manufacture and supply propshafts and drive train related parts ..as I recall the crosses part number is BM 78.....the U/J for the centre shaft they had buy in from Europe . rebuilding old shafts and balancing was never discussed or offered as a BM service.
Sorry Fixwin38. As the original post was about propshaft repair I just thought this information may have been useful.
Replies to threads 10 and 12
Thank you Kevin, the term staking is correct, I latter looked this up. I personally have never come across this term and now I have learned something new.
As far as I recollect, Bailey Morris did do repairs, except now, I think from the past eight years or so,they had stopped repairs, I don't fully know why.
There are several companies that do repairs and easily found browsing the web site. Below is an embedded video on how a propshaft is re-conditioned or re-manufactured; I found it interesting as watching it, one realises the importance of accurately inserting the cardan joint (UJ's). Also it shows balancing a shaft is not as easy as it may seem. I have watched other videos on heat shrinking the shafts to get true alignment. This gives me an idea to re-do the Vibrations article and embed these finds into the article to update and improve on its information.
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Trying to find a propshaft place near by, most can do Sprinters and Vito''s etc but they don't have the reemer ro do the bigger UJ's on the G.
I think MB just wan't to sell you a new shaft?
Another place thinks they can machine out the UJ and replace it with a conventional circlip UJ, said they have done loads of Sprinters like this, but still trying to keep it original.
May have to go down the Bailey Morris route.........