As I was looking for relatively easy tasks to complete, I decided to tackle the propshafts so that they would be ready when the axles were complete. I ordered new universal joints from a local parts supplier, and stripped both propshafts down.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c43726_babf9b74ff7c4b16bc9828a5ff0c5f03~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_681,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/c43726_babf9b74ff7c4b16bc9828a5ff0c5f03~mv2.jpg)
A wire brush on a grinder cleaned the mud, muck and rust off them, and a quick sandblast prepared them for spray painting.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c43726_46a34cddec0d494b812d539cdacd26d7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_585,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/c43726_46a34cddec0d494b812d539cdacd26d7~mv2.jpg)
One of the end dust caps was missing, which meant the grease in the splined joint could become contaminated. I welded up a crude but effective replacement.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c43726_08bd1c5cfe64444188158139da7dd901~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1324,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/c43726_08bd1c5cfe64444188158139da7dd901~mv2.jpg)
New universal joints were installed in each propshaft after painting. Great care was taken not to hit any of the bearings, and a press was used throughout the process. A small tool/jig was welded up to enable pressing of the bearing cups back against their circlips to ensure the roller bearings did not bind. Each propshaft received a coat of 2k gloss paint once the universal joints were installed.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c43726_2755b6c2c4d047cba75dcb24d4f95e6d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/c43726_2755b6c2c4d047cba75dcb24d4f95e6d~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c43726_8f4e82fe40484c51ad3b77df0b5d3d85~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1286,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/c43726_8f4e82fe40484c51ad3b77df0b5d3d85~mv2.jpg)
The propshafts received new rubber grommets over the splined shafts, and the finished product looked really smart.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c43726_e9500849371442b68558108dff9e78f6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_542,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/c43726_e9500849371442b68558108dff9e78f6~mv2.jpg)
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