forum2.trikingsportscars.co.uk

With the prop shaft being so small it will be critical to get the best alignment as is practical.
Universal joints are designed to allow rotation of a shaft where there is movement , such as in an axle moving, but with the short shaft there will be points of the rotation where the shaft binds as the slip joint is unable to move quickly enough. I am sure that if research is done there will be a minimum dimension between the two joints, OR a minimum offset allowed or a joint combination.
Car manufacturers have moved away from universal joints to Constant velocity joints as they are looking for greater offset / rotation and the speed of the shaft is increasing in designs.

Greetings Cousin Bill.
To get a better alignment of gearbox output shaft and the front propshaft, I used a piece of 22mm copper water pipe slipped onto the propshaft.
With the engine bolted in position (without the U/J), the propshaft support bearing can then be aligned to best position
Nip the bolts up, move engine forward out of the way so that the bolts can then be properly torqued up.
Finally fit the engine with the U/J.

No issues with this alignment on the type4, there is no extra bearing and the propshaft goes directly from the gearbox to the reversing box. The front u/j has a clamp that tightens onto the gearbox splines.

John.