Unregistered users may browse the website, but in order to participate in the forums and view select pages (such as "Club Contacts" and "Classified Ads") a user account is required. Click HERE to email the webmaster and request a free account. The National DeSoto Club uses real names rather than pseudonyms. Notify the webmaster of your user name preference (Johnathon Doe vs. John Doe, etc.), preferred email address, and password request.
We recently took a trip from our home town in Indiana to a final destination of Windum Maine. What a great ride it was, after a starter rebuild 7 hrs in our trip we continued on to Erie Penn. to see friends. It was a lovely trip but the firedome was leaking unusual amounts of trany fluid, not good. We added 1.5 quarts of fluid and continued our trip to Binghamton NY to see more friends had to add 2 more quarts of fluid. So we go to Windum Maine after a long back country trip some of the most beautiful scenery any where in the world I'm guessing. Got to Maine, took the car to a transmission specialist of 45 years ( lucky to find him) he worked diligently to get us back on the road. The seals for the transmission was no problem but a new u-joint was required and that's a huge problem. Needless to say we tailored the car with u-haul (not the cheapest transport but it worked). So now home and still trying to locate a u-joint with no one having them or no idea where to find one I'm at whits end (change the yoke to support a new style u-joint or what. The joint I need was only used on the 55-56 model years. So all my Desoto friends where can I find a u-joint or whats my next action. Thanks for reading our story we have several with our beloved Desoto road trips, best fun ever people just love to ramble about there experiences they have had in past years, so cool. If anyone has any ideas would love to hear them. Thanks Terry and Linda Johnson Waldron Indiana.
Hi Terry, sounds like a nice trip and glad you enjoyed it for the most part.
For your U-Joint, try calling Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts. He deals strictly in new parts for old MoPars.
800-457-1250 to order
617-244-1118 for information
Good luck!
Are you coming to the National Convention in Branson this week?
"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
Terry,
Is the u-joint you need the ball and trunnion/socket type or a cross type? As I recall my first DeSoto, a '56 Fireddome, had a cross type rear u-joint but with "ears" on the two of the four caps. Can you post a photo of the old joint?
Mark
The joint is a cross type and yes with the ears attached to two of the caps it was only made 2 years for a 1955 and 56' Desoto is what everyone says. Everyone I call says they are out and been trying to get them for 3 years or longer. I'm not sure how to post a pic so this is the best I can do for now .(I'll try and figure the pic thing out, maybe one of our kids can do it) Thanks for the correspondence Terry
By using the '55/'56 Mopar master parts book I found the rear u-joint for S23 (all except Estate Wagon) is part number 1643172. I entered that number into http://www.partsvoice.com and found the following results as pictured.
Brad NOS Parts frequently comes up in my searches, but I have yet to actually find them to have what I'm looking for.
Be sitting down when you inquire. The u-joints are obsolete and pricey.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Terry,
This is what Tim means by "pricey": https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Genuine-We ... SwOrBa7h6d
For that kind of money, you could likely have your driveshaft reworked to fit a couple modern cross type joints at a driveline shop. Depending where you live there is likely a shop that specializes in truck and equipment drivelines that can rework and balance your driveshaft.
Mark
Wow, that seller is a special kind of crazy.
I think you can do better with Collector Supply. I bought a rear joint for an S24 Fireflite from them and paid a bit less than that.
Mark is right though, that you should consider the cost and resulting ease of finding replacement parts by having your driveshaft modified, especially if you’re planning on enjoying your car by actually driving it.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I had the same problem on a '56 Fireflite. Took it to a clutch and U-joint guy. He made a new driveshaft for less than the cost of that NOS U-joint. I'd do it again.
Have a nice day
Steve
it was only made 2 years for a 1955 and 56' Desoto is what everyone says.
Different for 55 Desoto, according to the parts book.
Ron
