Trans to driveline connection - OOPS! left out part

[California Charlie]

Hi,

After all this time that has passed, and in finally getting someone to help me to install my rebulit engine and transmission back into place in the frame, I found a part had been left out. I just found the part today, and after looking at the parts breakdown, I found that it should have been installed. It had been accidentally kicked underneath my garage bench during the engine transmission installation process. Can I hopefully live without it. Without it causing a driving problem?

The part that was left out in making the transmission to driveline connection is the U-Joint Inner Cap. PHOTO INCLOSED

Would someone kindly let me know what their thoughts are regaring this matter which may necessitate me going back to square one with removing the engine and transmission to insert this part. Is that going to be absolutely necessary???

Thanking anyone in advance who can provide me with a reply back to this question that I have.

 

[Gene F]

You definately need that part in there. As the drive shaft/torque tube articulates it rides on that surface. The easiest way to rectify this is to drop the rear end out, and slip it back just a bit.

Don't feel bad, because we have all made mistakes on our As. Anyone that tells you diff is not telling the truth.

BTW; tall jackstands, and they need to go ahead of the rear trailing arms.

 

[California Charlie]

Thanks very much for your reply, and the reason of the importance of having that part included in the connection assembly.

Back to square one, but doing that with a lesson learned. .

 

[Tom Endy]

I know of people who forgot to install the stub shaft couple when installing a Mitchell overdrive. This results in not going anywhere.

Tom Endy

 

[john charlton]

Yes indeed that part is essential as it transmits the drive from the rear axle . The rear engine mounts are what pushes the car ahead . When you install the the part the two holes are aligned at 3 o,clock and 9 o,clock .

John in hot sunny morning Suffolk County England .

 

[Gene F]

Yes on the orientation thing that John Carlton brings up. Seems to me there might also be a hole that needs to align with the grease fitting.

 

[stevemclark]

Henry would not have put it there if it could be left out.I think some people have a left over parts box and will some day find out why it did go there when something fails.You can drive a car with two lug nuts on a wheel a little while but I advise against it.I have missed part installation too and would see a part on the floor, when changing oil one time as I was pouring the one gallon plus old oil into a jug I saw I had over two gallons of oil in the pan plus the oil drain plug. LOL .