Alfetta Sedan Driveshaft Crack

Started by RLeT, June 20, 2021, 03:52:09 PM

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RLeT

Hi Everyone, I've just spotted a crack on the driveshaft of my 1977 Alfetta sedan.  The yoke joining the rear shaft to the centre donut coupling is cracked (quite badly).  A photo is attached.

Does anyone know of shaft suppliers, and who to go to and who to avoid?  Do people make reproductions of these or do I just try to get a reverse engineered shaft made?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.  My Alfetta is 44 yrs old today.  Bummer of a birthday present, but at least it didn't happen on the road.

Thanks again,
Richard.
Richard.

carlo rossi

see  how you go i thinlk i have a spare
current cars
red 83 gtv 2.0


previous cars
Red 76 1.2/1.5 alfasud ti
white 79 alfetta 2000
alfetta 74 1.8
escort Lotus twin cam
bikes
ducati 900 ss 1979
moto morini 3 1/2 sport 1975/6
Moto morini 3 1/2 valentini speciale 77 oh and a deltek rockhopper

105gta

I'd pull the donut off and have a proper look. Doesn't look like a crack to me. More like a casting mark. have seen similar marks before. They are poor quality castings used for the yokes.  If in doubt ask your local engineering shop to crack test it if it's not obvious, shouldn't cost much.
1967 Giulia Sprint GT Veloce (WIP)
1985 GTV6 (WIP)

RLeT

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.  I've had another look, and it's definitely a crack, but it may not be very deep (hard to tell while everything is still assembled).  Removing the donut and having another look is good advice.

Carlo, I'd still be interested if you have a spare, but I will look at the depth also & see where that journey leads.

Kind Regards,
Richard.
Richard.

Craig_m67

Don't forget, there is a process to remove the donut (steel band, stuff, I forget)
'66 Duetto (lacework of doom)
'73 1600 GT Junior (ensconced)
'03 156 1.9JTD Sportwagon (daily driver)

GTVeloce

Two big hose clamps usually does the job. Makes it much easier to remove and necessary for re-installation.

Colin Edwards

+1 for a flaw in the casting. 
A bit of judicious grinding and specialist welder should do the job.  The cast steel yoke is welded to the tail shaft.
Present
2023 Tonale Veloce
2018 Abarth 124 Spider
1987 75 3.0

Past
2020 Giulietta Veloce
2015 Giulietta QV
2009 159 3.2 Ti Q4
2012 Giulietta TCT Veloce
2006 147 Ti 2 door Selespeed
1979 Alfasud Ti 1.5

john m

Once you blow up the image it's definitely a crack, but you'll know more once you remove the rubber doughnut. Yes use large hose clamps to remove and replace the doughnut. Tip, If you remove the tails hafts paint a mark across both before you split them and assemble them in the original orientation. If you didn't have tail shaft vibrations before, you will surely have some afterwards. Cheers
Now
84: GTV6 White-stock
84: Giulietta Red-club sprints
69: GTV1750 Red-on blocks
Then
71: Berlina 2000 man.-UK import

LukeC

QuoteA bit of judicious grinding and specialist welder should do the job.

My thoughts exactly. Under an hour to repair from what I can see.
Luke Clayton

qvae.com.au

RLeT

Thanks for all the feedback from everyone.  I'll take it on board and I'll report back what happens when I get an outcome.  A few other priorities means that this may take a while.

Thanks again.  I'll keep everyone posted.

Richard.
Richard.

RLeT

Here's a photo of the crack now that I've removed the rear shaft.  It looks a bit nasty, I think.  Grinding this out without going all the way through will be difficult.  Careful use of a pencil grinder/burr, I think.

I'd welcome any thoughts.

Thanks in advance.
Richard.
Richard.

festy

Another vote for casting defect, considering the shape and location.
If it is, then its been like that for 40 years...

GTVeloce

It doesn't look fresh. I suspect it has been there a fair while, possibly since the factory as festy suggests.