Source for rubber collar on front driveshaft?

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Source for rubber collar on front driveshaft?

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

Anyone know where I can find the round rubber collar (dust seal) that attaches to the cylindrical cover over the female part of the spline connection on the rear yoke on the drivetrain? Right after the donut (giubo), and the collar fits around the shoulder of the splined section of the forward driveshaft? '71 spider with manual transmission, although I'm guessing it's the same part for a variety of years.

I can find used yokes & collars on places like Ebay, but the collars don't look in much better condition than the one I have. The one I have is perhaps usable, but since I'm going to the trouble of rebuilding the driveshaft (u-joints, center bearing/support, giubo), I figured I'd replace this part while I'm at it.

Thanks in advance!
-Bryan
tima01864
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Your car is a: 1983 FIAT Pininafarina Spider 2000
Location: Wilmington, MA

Re: Source for rubber collar on front driveshaft?

Post by tima01864 »

I went looking at the vendors, They had no idea what I was talking about. It is there in the shop manual schematics, Curious to now if you find one.
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Source for rubber collar on front driveshaft?

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

I found a used version at Midwest-Bayless, but they are out of stock. See:
https://www.midwest-bayless.com/p-6689- ... pd-u8.aspx

I checked with AR and C. Obert, and they said it hasn't been produced in years and they don't know where to get them. I checked online with some other vendors, including Vick Auto, but no luck.

Weird. I would think this rubber collar/seal would be a common part that's often replaced as part of drivetrain work.

-Bryan
tima01864
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Your car is a: 1983 FIAT Pininafarina Spider 2000
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Re: Source for rubber collar on front driveshaft?

Post by tima01864 »

I agree VA thought I was crazy. Thanks for the reality check Bryan
tima01864
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Your car is a: 1983 FIAT Pininafarina Spider 2000
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Re: Source for rubber collar on front driveshaft?

Post by tima01864 »

Give Fun Imports a shout, Danny has parts.
wetminkey
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Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
Location: Ault, Colorado

Re: Source for rubber collar on front driveshaft?

Post by wetminkey »

Mine's an '79 with automatic tranny and it has the same, unobtainable, seal!
Mine didn't have any cracks,...so, using plenty of lube, I was able to carefully slip it off, and back onto, my new driveshaft assembly. A thin piece of plastic sheet helped me ease it over the teeth on the splines,...
I assumed that it was specific to the automatic tranny driveshaft, and that was why it is not available! Sounds like that is not true,...
Todd.
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Source for rubber collar on front driveshaft?

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

Thanks for the tips, and I'll check them out. Meanwhile, since my original rubber collar is "sorta" OK, meaning it can be installed but isn't likely to stay put, here's my cunning plan: I have some 1" or so heat shrink tubing, so I'm thinking of installing the seal with some heat shrink tubing over it (maybe two layers) and then getting out my heat gun afterwards and shrinking the tubing onto the seal and the driveshaft spline shoulder. Not Lycra stretch-pants tight (shudder...), but just enough to hold it secure.

Wacky idea, or brilliant strategy? I'll let you judge.

-Bryan
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