Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

my car had the Detroit brand rear u joint on the drive shaft when i started taking it apart last night. it had the cross bar piece that i suppose holds the two piece together as a safety or something. but i also had the clip rings that had the turn outs at the ends like the other brand in the picture.

so...is it possible that someone down the road replaced mine with one from a 5580 as it states in the parts manual, instead of for a 5560.

part number for 5560 is 458395 (other Brand)
part number for 5580 is 458396 (Detroit) i have this one.

see photos.

i don't really suppose it matters which one i get as i am just guessing the Detroit was made to handle more power or something. just a guess.

any thoughts from the community on this?

thanks,

Hank

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also is the drive shaft aluminum? and is it supposed to be not painted or painted??

As long as it fits, yokes match etc, don't think the brand matters--could have been replaced after the fact or came that way. As to drive shaft, think it is steel, was probably unpainted. Don't suppose a bit would hurt though. What they did caution on was getting any undercoat on shaft which could throw it out of balance.

my guess is that it was replaced at one time as the two clips i have have the little flip outs on the ends.....which might indicate they reused them from the old original one.....thanks dude!

hank, the drive shafts as far as i know were all steel. as for the clips, i think they used what ever was on hand at the plant as i have seen those clips on several u-joints that they "wern't 'posed to be". the 400 you are looking for info on, how much do you remember about it? i know the location of a couple of them. maybe one of them is it? have you seen mike's 47? it's a very nice car.

i have never seen "mike's" 47. to me it will always be my grandfather's 47 i have known that car since i was about 1 years old! even have a pic to prove it. and again when i was about 8 or 10 or so. i tried to get Mike to let me use it in my wedding.....it didn't work out....i don't dislike the guy...he can just be a bit strong headed at times and we clash a bit is all. other than that it is all good.

as to the pink/white one i have a pic of the back of the car, but you can't see the pink, so you really can't tell. i just know from memory and my dad and uncle remember too. my uncle says it went up north somewhere are PA or so. Hayden help with it as the trans was bad, otherwise it would have been my first car! DANGIT!

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also i will be taking the driveshaft to fort worth gear and axle soon, to have it cleaned and balanced right.

Gee, mike wouldn't let you use the 47? wow i can't imagan that!lol! yes he is strong headed as you put it. and as a member of that club i have been around him quite a bit. he can be very abrasive, but i like him ok. however there are other members of the club that are like family. i doubt that the 400 i know of is the one your searching for then based off your info. however if you will be at the national this year you could ask.

doubt i will be at the national this year, not much time for a vacation this year. although, i do get to take free trip to New York, albeit for business though.

i don't really remember a hole lot about that car....so i doubt i will find it. the only way will be if someone remembers buying it from my grandmother back around 99 or so.