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I started replacing the u joints on the front and rear prop shafts on my M38 and ran into a few problems. First it looks like I am missing a part. The ORD 9 on page 206 shows an exploded view of the front prop shaft. At the end that attaches to the front axle end yoke, it shows a part called the universal joint tie bar. I seem to be missing these. I also can't tell where exactly it is supposed to go.

To add to my confusion, page 207 of the ORD 9 shows the rear prop shaft without this part, but figure 93 (page 242) of TM-8012 shows the same type diagram for the rear prop shaft with the part. Can someone please clarify for me is the universal joint tie bar used on the front or rear prop shaft or on both?

Secondly, I am have a hard time installing the journal bearing snap ring. The first side is no problem but I can't seem to get enough room on the opposite side to get the ring to seat under the snap ring groove. TM -8012 on page 244 says to use a brass drift to carefully tap the bearings in until their outer ends are just inside the snap ring grooves. I am pounding on the second side pretty hard and I just can't seem to get enough clearance to seat the snap ring under the groove. Any suggestion? Thanks

Some of the factory original spicer u joints had a soldered or spotted tin tab that held the two opposing caps from falling off when taken off the differential yoke. Is that what you are referring to? New joints that I have used, don't have the tab. When I run into the situation you are in, I put the shaft and joints into a vice and push with a socket against the opposing end that has the clip already in it. While pressure is applied, I tap the ear of the driveshaft yoke in the opposite direction. This usually moves it enough to get the clip in the groove after you remove it from the vice. I then put the assembly back in the vice and center the u joint so the opposing clip isn't bowed out from the pressure and try and even up the pressure on the joint. My 2 cents worth anyway. John

I think you need to check to make sure one of the little needle bearings didn't fall into the bottom of the cup. I've had that happen more than once.

I have had the needle in the bottom of the cup thing to happen a few times. Just a simple thing I do is always clean up and save a couple of the needles from the old joint. I have an assortment of sizes in a small plastic container so in the event of a dropped cup I can replace the needle that always seems to disappear.