New donut

[psg]

About a year ago I bought a donut thinking a '78 car might need a replacement. I had checked and thought it didn't look too bad so I put off getting grit in my eyes for another day. The other day came last week. When I rolled under the car and looked closely I noticed a wedge piece missing then another, then I rotated the shaft a whole section was missing. When I removed the 6 bolts the donut came off in 3 separate pieces. Yeah a 1978 spider needed a new donut and the hour it took to do it and the grit was well rewarded. psg

[dmwhiteoak]

When I brought my car home and crawled under it I was amazed that the car had been mobil with the condition that the donut was in. It too come off in three pieces and was the first thing I changed. Whats a little dirt in the eyes?

[Tobi]

I bought a new donut four years ago and after reading this I think it's time to get my eyes dirty. Oh and wile I am at it, maybe put in the new timing belt that came with the car fife years and 12000 miles ago.

[124JOE]

OK its time to check mine out
in the spring

[psg]

It really is amazing for all the things that can go wrong how many don't. The reminder in the lesson; when it does go wrong it will always happen at an inconvenient time with multiplied negative consequences. My grandmother continues to be proved right, "a stitch in time saves nine." psg

[baltobernie]

While the driveshaft is free, check for play in the center bearing and support. Donuts get replaced because their condition is visible, and the job is easy. Not so the center bearing, which is probably OE on your car.

[aj81spider]

I have the driveshaft out right now, and you've got me thinking that I should check. For a complete novice, how much play is OK? How do you know to replace the bearing?

[dmwhiteoak]

I have the driveshaft out right now, and you've got me thinking that I should check. For a complete novice, how much play is OK? How do you know to replace the bearing?

Good question. I also will be awaiting a reply.

[boogiedude]

I bought a new donut four years ago and after reading this I think it's time to get my eyes dirty. Oh and wile I am at it, maybe put in the new timing belt that came with the car fife years and 12000 miles ago.

5 years and 12000 miles? Jeez, I put 20000 on mine over the past three that I've owned it...

[Tobi]

Boogiedude, you have to do the math here.

Honolulu: 3years x 12month ....36month

Minnesota: 5years x 5month.....25month

[baltobernie]

I have the driveshaft out right now, and you've got me thinking that I should check. For a complete novice, how much play is OK? How do you know to replace the bearing?

The universal joints should have complete freedom of movement but no "play". The center bearing should be quiet when turned, and the rubber surround should be free of tears and cracks. The rubber part usually fails first. Unfortunately, it takes a shop with a press to R&R this bearing. You did mark the OE mating orientation of the driveshaft splines with a paint pen, didn't you? That assembly is balanced at the factory.

[aj81spider]

Thanks Bernie,

I'll check that this weekend. I did mark the shaft - at least one thing done right!

[boogiedude]

Boogiedude, you have to do the math here.

Honolulu: 3years x 12month ....36month

Minnesota: 5years x 5month.....25month

Sorry, I tend to forget that there are seasons on the mainland that aren't good for driving

[redcars]

I put 4,500 miles on my 82 Spider and 500 miles on my 81 Spider last year. The PO of my 82 Spider put under 2000 miles on it in 5 years.

[Turbofiat124]

About a year ago I bought a donut thinking a '78 car might need a replacement. I had checked and thought it didn't look too bad so I put off getting grit in my eyes for another day. The other day came last week. When I rolled under the car and looked closely I noticed a wedge piece missing then another, then I rotated the shaft a whole section was missing. When I removed the 6 bolts the donut came off in 3 separate pieces. Yeah a 1978 spider needed a new donut and the hour it took to do it and the grit was well rewarded. psg

I replaced the one on my Spider that was around 17 years old just for the heck of it because it was old. The replacement lasted about 4 years. I wouldn't have known there were chunks missing if I wasn't having a new exhaust system installed on the car.

While having exhaust work done on my Brava I decided to look at it and noticed no chunks missing but a big crack in it.

I decided to spring for the "stronger" doughnut that Csaba is selling. I always thought that was the weak link in the system.