The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

My "sprint "prop has a poorly centre bearing, in fact has been for ages. But I have the car apart so want to change it.
Problem is that it has a CV centre joint which needs to come apart. Anybody point me in the right direction before I get brutal (and regret it)

Plan B is the spare sprint prop I have. Nicely painted by the previous owner, but he must have had the centre sliding joint apart as the uj's are not aligned. Easy enough to do, but I could be 180 degrees out with possible balance consequences? No master spline either, which I was hoping to find. Ho hum.

Look at James 467's restoration post. Picture guide at bottom of page 3!

https://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk/vie ... 9&start=30

This is timely Clive as I have the same task with my Sprint project.

I was thinking of taking mine to Dave Mac in Coventry for overhaul. Looking through the archives on here, Jon Tilson also recommended Propshaft Services in Feltham, which may be closer to you if you don't take on the repair yourself.

Regards
MC

We managed to take one apart and fit a bearing at the NEC Restoration Show last year, with not too many tools to hand!

Cheers chaps, that all helps.
I am scrounging a very good centre bearing off another prop, so costs as usual kept to a minimum!
I may well be at teh prop place in Feltham in a couple of weeks. They are now part of Bailey Morris. A very good reputation. Though teh Feltham branch has a receptionist with very questionable customer service skills! (not unpleasant at all, if you speak to her you would understand)

The sprint centre CV joint can not be repaired or replaced with a like for like replacement. My sprint prop has a Ford capri 2.8i / Ford transit sliding CV joint. It just fits into the tunnel. The centre rubber bearing is standard and under a little more strain than original due to the extra weight of the Ford CV joint. Don't fit a UV joint in the middle as you will get strange vibrations.....

Dolomitejohn wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 9:25 am The sprint centre CV joint can not be repaired or replaced with a like for like replacement. My sprint prop has a Ford capri 2.8i / Ford transit sliding CV joint. It just fits into the tunnel. The centre rubber bearing is standard and under a little more strain than original due to the extra weight of the Ford CV joint. Don't fit a UV joint in the middle as you will get strange vibrations.....

You can fit a Ford transit centre mount in place of the original type.
It is not only very long lasting but also much cheaper!


The very last Sprints had a three UJ propshaft from new.



Ian.

Dolomitejohn wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 9:25 am The sprint centre CV joint can not be repaired or replaced with a like for like replacement. My sprint prop has a Ford capri 2.8i / Ford transit sliding CV joint. It just fits into the tunnel. The centre rubber bearing is standard and under a little more strain than original due to the extra weight of the Ford CV joint. Don't fit a UV joint in the middle as you will get strange vibrations.....

I have no need to change the centre joint arrangement.
However, some sprints have a UJ in the centre from new, others a CV joint. Or at least I have one of each in my possesion, as well as an 1850 prop that has a UJ centre. So 3 ujs in a prop do work. As does one plus a CV joint (spitfire 1500)

Only the Sprint has a central CV joint, all other models, manual or auto, had 3 UJs and a sliding joint.

I've also seen at least one Sprint prop with 2 CVs (front and centre) and a single rear UJ, which I was led to believe is a design used on early cars. How early and how many I don't know, the one I saw wasn't on a car! As noted above, last model Sprints reverted to the easier and cheaper to produce triple UJ.

Bizarrely, most 1500HLs had the sliding joint at the gearbox end which puts an un-necessary extra strain on the centre bearing rubber.

I won't say it's impossible to get unwanted driveline vibes on a Sprint, the factory themselves seem to have encountered some difficulties as all models EXCEPT the Sprint have the centre bearing mounted with both the captive nut tags ABOVE the body brackets, whereas the Sprint one (except automatic models) is mounted with one tag above and one below (a very unhandy way of doing it, but the manual instructions are clear, this is the correct way!) I gather it's something to do with a harmonic or resonance from having the front section of the prop in TOO perfect alignment with the gearbox output shaft. These days, driveline vibes are more usually attributable to poor quality, overhard gearbox mounts than prop problems!

Steve

Looking at mine gents I am unaware of the condition of the cv joint however it is the centre bearing rubber that has worn out for sure..
Is there a good aftermarket equivalent that could be fitted or do I need to seek a NOS version?
If I took it to someone like Dave Mac would they require me to source the centre bearing?
TIA

MC

I believe Dave Mac supplies a centre bearing for the Dolomite, the only difference being that the captive nuts are 10mm rather than the original 5/16" UNF. I believe it is the Dave Mac one that my own propshaft guy of choice (Proptech, Hartlebury Worcs 01299 251247) supplies me when I have props done there. Not that I can't change a centre bearing, but if he's doing other work like cutting bespoke lengths, fitting new sliding joints or balancing.........

Steve

Cheers for this Steve. I have just spoken to Dave Mac and he has indeed got them in stock, so I will most likely take it up to him soon for replacement and assessment.