1954 Rear U-Joint

Try Kanter Auto Parts, They have most of the stuff we need. They can be kind of pricey. I have a hard time believing Napa can't get you one, Maybe you need to try another store.

Paul

Do you have the MOPAR part #? My parts book starts at '55

Do you see it here?

http://collectorsautosupply.com/query.a ... n=U-JOINTS

You might also carry the old one into a GOOD parts store with an knowledgeable parts person that can measure the dimensions of your old one and cross reference it to something else. Kind of a long shot, but maybe?

Heard the story one time from a guy that drove his '55 Chrysler to the parts store and went in to buy a part for it. The kid behind the counter went to the computer and declared that Chrysler didn't make cars in '55. Nothing could convince the kid otherwise, even the presence of a '55 Chrysler in the parking lot. The computer didn't go back to '55 for Chrysler, therefore there was no such thing.

Larry and Tim,

As I recall Larry's '54 is a Firedome which is an S19. According to my '46 - '54 parts book the rear U-joint package MoPar p/n is 1450445, which ties to this item on the Collectors list:
53-54 Des Chry 8 Pass & Wgn U-JT CROSS PKG, REAR, CROSS TYPE 1450445 RPMT $250

That is one pricey u-joint and worth searching for a less expensive replacement. As I recall what makes these u-joints somewhat unique are the ears on the bearing caps.

Mark

Found this on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1940-1953-DeSot ... -v&vxp=mtr

Unfortunately, this is for the six cylinder cars and won't work on Larry's Firedome. However, this info from the listing was noteworthy:

"Mopar called them bearing blocks but I've always called them wing bearings--that's the bearings designed to bolt down rather than clamp down. You're buying one General D-2962 947550 replacement universal joint. It is for some 1940-1952 DeSoto six cylinder and most 1940-1953 Chrysler six cylinder cars. (Eight cylinder cars in these years used a slightly larger version which looks the same but they will not interchange.) Cars equipped with these joints used two--one on the front and one on the rear of the drive shaft. Some 1940-1952 DeSotos used a similar joint with different "wings" and they will not interchange with this one."

Here are a couple of web finds:

Here is an NOS p/n 1450445 joint for sale:
https://www.hiltopautoparts.com/product ... er-desoto/

Here is spanish language eBay page (targeted to Cuba?) from Larry's backyard in Maryland. I translated the page so this listing may have already sold but worth checking if they have another:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nos-Mopar-d-139 ... 7675.l2557

Hello Larry,

I went to my book shelves, and pulled out an OLD Motor Master,
Universal Joint Replacement Kit catalog........I used it to find another
rare one, my '52 Firedome front joint.
It gives the physical sizes.........but, I am getting ahead of myself.......

I have a few questions:
1.Year, model, and cylinders of your car? Also, how many passengers?
2.Does your present joint have the "wings" or not?

According to the OLD catalog:
MoPar part# 1450445 is a Detroit Type 7 universal joint, without wings.
That particular joint also is used on Packards, and probably others, if I look at it long enough. It is a Detroit Type 7, # 3312-A

Once I get your car information, I will attempt to help you out. it may be a different type, based on questions # 1 and # 2.

Mark Waite

Sorry guys, I broke my foot, and simultaneously, on the same day, our 90 year old charge fell on the ice and ended up in the hospital and rehab ... everything DeSoto had to take a back seat. My foot is healing. Aunt Laura Anna is back home, though a little more cognitively challenged than before she fell. So, I will try to get back on the U-Joint Trail!

My rear universal does not have wings. It is pressed in to the yoke and the drive shaft. There are no clips, nor are they any clamps to hold it in place. There are two different caps: one has a slot (like a flathead screwdriver slot). The other is round. I checked with R & S Springs in Edmonston, MD today. They made new leaf springs for both the Fire Dome, and the Coronado. He said he wasn't sure he could even create a new driveshaft and yoke.

I still have the original u-joint that I replaced in 2000. I will try to post some pictures of that one later tonight.

Thanks for being patient. Thanks for your help.

Try Kanter Auto Parts, They have most of the stuff we need. They can be kind of pricey. I have a hard time believing Napa can't get you one, Maybe you need to try another store.

Paul

Thanks Paul. Kanter does not carry that part. I bought Andy Bernbaum's last u-joint two years ago. Unfortunately, it didn't even last 100 miles.

Hello Larry,

I went to my book shelves, and pulled out an OLD Motor Master,
Universal Joint Replacement Kit catalog........I used it to find another
rare one, my '52 Firedome front joint.
It gives the physical sizes.........but, I am getting ahead of myself.......

I have a few questions:
1.Year, model, and cylinders of your car? Also, how many passengers?
2.Does your present joint have the "wings" or not?

According to the OLD catalog:
MoPar part# 1450445 is a Detroit Type 7 universal joint, without wings.
That particular joint also is used on Packards, and probably others, if I look at it long enough. It is a Detroit Type 7, # 3312-A

Once I get your car information, I will attempt to help you out. it may be a different type, based on questions # 1 and # 2.

Mark Waite

Hi Mark!

My car is a 1954 Fire Dome 276.1 V8 Hemi. It is a six passenger 4 door. The rear u-joint does not have wings. (the front is a "ball and Trundel" I just happen to have a spare one of those. Too bad there isn't some way to use that one.

Are the slotted bearing caps externally threaded?

I would think that the bearing caps that are in the driveshaft would be retained somehow… Might there be a snap ring on the internal side of the cross shaft?

Do you have the MOPAR part #? My parts book starts at '55

Do you see it here?

http://collectorsautosupply.com/query.a ... n=U-JOINTS

You might also carry the old one into a GOOD parts store with an knowledgeable parts person that can measure the dimensions of your old one and cross reference it to something else. Kind of a long shot, but maybe?

Heard the story one time from a guy that drove his '55 Chrysler to the parts store and went in to buy a part for it. The kid behind the counter went to the computer and declared that Chrysler didn't make cars in '55. Nothing could convince the kid otherwise, even the presence of a '55 Chrysler in the parking lot. The computer didn't go back to '55 for Chrysler, therefore there was no such thing.

The guy at NAPA in Waldorf spent two hours searching his books, taking measurements, and trying to find something. He did give me a phone number in Virginia of a company that creates drive trains. Unfortunately, they ask callers to leave a message. I can't get down there until Spring Break - three more weeks.

I wish I could remember the name of the NAPA guy who used to post all the time from Nebraska. (Originally for California). We had a pretty long conversation at the DeSoto auction in Spencer, IA. I still can't think of his name.

Sorry guys, I broke my foot, and simultaneously, on the same day, our 90 year old charge fell on the ice and ended up in the hospital and rehab ... everything DeSoto had to take a back seat. My foot is healing. Aunt Laura Anna is back home, though a little more cognitively challenged than before she fell. So, I will try to get back on the U-Joint Trail!

My rear universal does not have wings. It is pressed in to the yoke and the drive shaft. There are no clips, nor are they any clamps to hold it in place. There are two different caps: one has a slot (like a flathead screwdriver slot). The other is round. I checked with R & S Springs in Edmonston, MD today. They made new leaf springs for both the Fire Dome, and the Coronado. He said he wasn't sure he could even create a new driveshaft and yoke.

I still have the original u-joint that I replaced in 2000. I will try to post some pictures of that one later tonight.

Thanks for being patient. Thanks for your help.

Larry,

This ad has been running in the WPC News for months. I know nothing about the vendor, but may be worth a call or e-mail.

Drive shafts for Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler
& DeSoto. New shaft replaces old trunion
type, bolts in, no modifying. $395 and up,
plus shipping. Joe McGinnis, WPC#3054, 234
Deer Foot Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512, 706-
745-3985, callent.beefalo@hotmail.com

Good luck!

Mark

Thanks Mark. I will check it out.