drive shafts

[maverick]

I know several people on the forum use datsun drive shafts,does anyone know what machining ,modification needs to be done to allow them to fit the standard stag setup.
Also,what would be a fair price for used pr and how would i evaluate if they are worn out or not.
Many Thanks in advance
Mark

[DJT]

Unlikely to be worn out, they are well engineered. Finding a pair is getting harder.

The universal joints are meatier than the Stag ones so will not fit the hub yoke. There were some TriDat universal joints available years ago, in Australia, but like rocking horse poo nowadays. The hub yoke needs to be machined to accept the Datsun universal joint, then they are a straight swap. Mine have been fitted since 2008 and have done 45,000 miles since. The only attention is an occasional squirt with a grease gun on the joint nipples.

[maverick]

Unlikely to be worn out, they are well engineered. Finding a pair is getting harder.

The universal joints are meatier than the Stag ones so will not fit the hub yoke. There were some TriDat universal joints available years ago, in Australia, but like rocking horse poo nowadays. The hub yoke needs to be machined to accept the Datsun universal joint, then they are a straight swap. Mine have been fitted since 2008 and have done 45,000 miles since. The only attention is an occasional squirt with a grease gun on the joint nipples.

Thanks Dave,
When you say hub yoke needs machining assume that is the stag yoke,and is it a reduction that is needed ,ie removal of material?

Thank you

[DJT]

Thanks Dave,
When you say hub yoke needs machining assume that is the stag yoke,and is it a reduction that is needed ,ie removal of material?

Thank you

That is correct. I bought mine through this forum. A member used to sell complete shafts ready to fit.

[maverick]

That is correct. I bought mine through this forum. A member used to sell complete shafts ready to fit.

Cheers Dave ,all the best

[jbuckl]

I saw a pair last year for £120 collect only. IIRC seller might/ would post for £50 extra.
Believe 4 yoke holes need a ream out only to fit….unsure if that’s to the triumph or Datsun yokes though. Probably the triumph outer shaft yolk ( buy them , measure the cups, buy the larger cup size reamer) … Maybe circlip groove depth would need to be deeper too.
They have very nice rolling element (ball) type splines & are ideal, but rare to find now … even the z-car people have to get alternatives.

[DJT]

Believe 4 yoke holes need a ream out only to fitâ€Ĥ.unsure if that’s to the triumph or Datsun yokes though. Probably the triumph outer shaft yolk ( buy them , measure the cups, buy the larger cup size reamer)

As I said above, the Datsun joints are bigger. I do have some spare Datsun universal joints and could measure them if required. The Datsun circlips are external type but inside the yoke, not internal on the outside, if that makes sense.

Found this online.

AD0F4CBA-082B-490B-9525-7075FDDA774E.jpeg

[Roy_S]

Given the limited stock about of these, are the new items I've seen on suppliers sites the only option now?

[alan_thomas]

I have a pair of Datsun shafts on my car bought years ago from TonyPY1 on this site.
I believe the Datsun UJ cups are 28mm dia and the Stag ones are around 27mm. So not much to remove but it has to be done very accurately and then there’s the job of cutting the circlip grooves .
you have probably seen the Datsun 260z shafts on EBay at the moment, wrongly described as ‘Triumph Stag Datsun Driveshafts’ and compatible with the Stag. Well they are if you canabalise your own driveshafts and have the machining done, which won’t be cheap.

[Lingen]

Roy.
In 2005 I fitted "Monarch" driveshafts, in conjunction with polybushes on the trailing arms.They retain the UJs, but have a much finer spline fitted with a grease nipple (like the propshaft). These have now done over 70k miles and show no signs of wear whatever. What is more, they still perform properly and never "Lock up".
I see that James Paddock is still selling the conversion, but you do need to assemble them with new UJs to your existing hubs and flanges. A relatively simple job , and only £85 each in stead of around £500. As long as your hubs are OK, of course.
Mike.

[Roy_S]

Mike,
Thanks for the heads up on this, took a quick look and found it:

https://www.jamespaddock.co.uk/driveshaft-greasable-less-hub-and-flange-2

I'd not seen it before, mine I know has an issue with them as cornering you can feel it suddenly move, did read that using cycle chain lube the type that dries onto the metal was the way forward as it did't run the risk of compressing like grease.
At the moment having just got it running again I had more issue with tyre vibration as they were both old and with flat spots from sitting. Bought 5 new tyres, 2 fitted, further 2 waiting to be dropped off and the spare needing a lot more TLC to match the other 4.
Think when wheels are back on these shafts will be on the list.
Roy

[DJT]

I have a pair of Datsun shafts on my car bought years ago from TonyPY1 on this site.
I believe the Datsun UJ cups are 28mm dia and the Stag ones are around 27mm. So not much to remove but it has to be done very accurately and then there’s the job of cutting the circlip grooves .
you have probably seen the Datsun 260z shafts on EBay at the moment, wrongly described as ‘Triumph Stag Datsun Driveshafts’ and compatible with the Stag. Well they are if you canabalise your own driveshafts and have the machining done, which won’t be cheap.

Tony supplied mine as well.

I can confirm the Datsun cups are 28mm. The circlips fit inside the yoke, not in grooves near the outside like the Triumph ones.

4A1D4487-90E8-43E4-BCEF-0EE399283BDA.jpeg

[Stag About Town]

I know several people on the forum use datsun drive shafts,does anyone know what machining ,modification needs to be done to allow them to fit the standard stag setup.
Also,what would be a fair price for used pr and how would i evaluate if they are worn out or not.
Many Thanks in advance
Mark

I went for exchange re-cons from Robsport. Good price for complete units with shafts and hubs. John

[maverick]

I have a pair of Datsun shafts on my car bought years ago from TonyPY1 on this site.
I believe the Datsun UJ cups are 28mm dia and the Stag ones are around 27mm. So not much to remove but it has to be done very accurately and then there’s the job of cutting the circlip grooves .
you have probably seen the Datsun 260z shafts on EBay at the moment, wrongly described as ‘Triumph Stag Datsun Driveshafts’ and compatible with the Stag. Well they are if you canabalise your own driveshafts and have the machining done, which won’t be cheap.

Yes Alan you are correct,I saw them on fleabay this is what prompted my enquiry.
I messaged the seller who said ther were for his grandads car an he got them from Tony Harts mechanic ?
This was when I was trying to estblish the provenance/condition..
I am going to keep the diagram from DJT and your spec,very useful,
Thank you

[maverick]

Roy.
In 2005 I fitted "Monarch" driveshafts, in conjunction with polybushes on the trailing arms.They retain the UJs, but have a much finer spline fitted with a grease nipple (like the propshaft). These have now done over 70k miles and show no signs of wear whatever. What is more, they still perform properly and never "Lock up".
I see that James Paddock is still selling the conversion, but you do need to assemble them with new UJs to your existing hubs and flanges. A relatively simple job , and only £85 each in stead of around £500. As long as your hubs are OK, of course.
Mike.

Thanks Mike,I will take a look