Driveshaft Dougnut

william · Post by **william** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:45 pm

Hi Guys,

I installed a new driveshaft doughnut tonight and need to know if I put it on correctly.

My replacement doughnut is a little different then the old one. It has metal protrusions on every other hole on each side. Are the metal protrusions to go on top of the transmission star and drive shaft star or are they to go on the bolt head?

Does anyone have a close up photo they can post?

Thanks Guys.

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:09 am

Here's one I took last weekend. Sorry if it's not to descriptive.

john

william · Post by **william** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:13 am

Thanks John

My GTE dougnut is attached to the transmission then to the drive shaft. Yours appears to be attached to the rear end. Interesting.....

Post by **tyang** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:20 am

Hi William,

Here's a picture of one off a Series I GTE after I did a search for "doughnut:"

Here's my doughnut:

Tom

william · Post by **william** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:57 am

Thats it.

The one I removed looked like the series I photo. The new dougnut looks like your doughnut.

Thanks Tom

I not sure if it matters, but I installed it the same as yours. If you notice in the photo of your dougnut the small metal protrusion on the right side just above the nut hanging over the bolt head, thats what I was talking about.

I was also wondering if anybody knows where I can find replacement bolts for the drive shaft yolk I only need 4 of them. I had a tough time removing them as the allen heads had been rounded. I've checked T rutlands, and newco no luck.

Thanks

Stephanm · Post by **Stephanm** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:42 pm

Why are you replacing the donut, is it vibrating?

I do not recommend replacing the donut if this is the case because you will still have the vibration and spent a bunch of money.
I have some nuts and bolts that I will give you as long as you pay for the shipping.
I also have a solution to a vibrating drive shaft that will last forever!

Lowell · Post by **Lowell** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:50 am

OK, Ill bite: What is the solution? My driveshaft vibrates
at about 55.5 MPH. Previously, my solution was to drive about
5 MPH faster, but it would be nice to have it fixed.

(I do have a spare donut that I have been thinking to
put on the car now that I have a lift.)

william · Post by **william** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:15 am

Thanks Stephanm,

I'll take you up on the bolts. I'll give you a call. I think I still have your number. If I don't I'll PM you.

I replaced the doughnut because it was old and cracked. It looked pretty bad and the car shaked over 50mph. I bought one from John Hajdak. Gave me a pretty good deal so I thouht I would replace it. Got the job done and put the new tires on almost ready for a test run.

Please share your secret!!!

airsanford · Post by **airsanford** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:04 pm

There is a centering bushing in the end of the driveshaft that rides on the output shaft at the rear of the transmission. These get dry, and will cause a significant vibration. Disassemble, clean and regrease, and you should see a notable difference.

Lee

GTE 2811

Stephanm · Post by **Stephanm** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:54 pm

At the donut end of the drive shaft is a "ball" (cross section of a ball) that fits into the socket which is the companion flange cone that it bolts up to. Like any ball and socket set up, there needs to be some sort of lubricant to prevent premature wear. The donut is only there to transmit the torque and when the ball and socket wear you will get an annoying vibration.
There is a small flat head screw driver headed plug that is for greasing that ball and socket and guess what, no one ever greases this area. If only the brilliant designers at Ferrari put a normal grease fitting on this!
With the drive shaft out of the car, run your finger inside this cone and you will feel a serious groove worn into it.My solution, have a new drive shaft made with adapters for Hardy-Spicer U-joints.
You can replace the donut and U-joint all day long without stopping the vibration.

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:00 am

Hi Stephen,

Can this ball/socket be lubricated as preventive maintenance? Would you be able to post a sketch or a photo? To show us where these ball and socket are? Thanks for your advice.

john

Stephanm · Post by **Stephanm** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:18 pm

In the top photo that tomyang posted shows a small flat screw head just in front of the donut. Yes, greasing will prevent this wear

Post by **tyang** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:45 am

There is a real dilemma about modifying these cars with me. After 40 years of mods, how much remains original? After another 40 years? I can understand replacing parts if they just aren't available, but preserving these cars are as much as our responsibility as owning them.

90 percent of these vibrations can be eliminated if one methodically balances the rotating assembly. After the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and driveshaft are balanced, and the vibration still exisits, I would go with Steve's method. I'm sure it's a great mod.

Tom

Tom Wilson · Post by **Tom Wilson** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:52 pm

Tom - what is the process of balancing the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate and driveshaft? Is this something you can reasonably do yourself or does it take some sort of computer lathe thingie?

Post by **tyang** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:25 pm

what is the process of balancing the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate and driveshaft? Is this something you can reasonably do yourself or does it take some sort of computer lathe thingie?

These parts have to be removed and sent to a maching shop that does balancing. Driveshafts usually have to go to a driveshaft specialist. The easiest thing to do first is the driveshaft. It can be reinstalled and tested before delving further into balancing the other parts.

Tom