Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Sapporo Repair & Service Manual 1978-1983 by Haynes

SILENT SHAFTS | REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

REMOVAL

1. During engine disassembly, the Silent Shaft chain and sprockets, the timing chain and sprockets and the oil pump should be removed before the Silent Shafts.



2. Remove the left Silent Shaft chamber cover plate from the engine block. It is held in place with two bolts. You may have to tap the cover with a soft-faced hammer to break the gasket seal.



3. Remove the bolts attaching the left Silent Shaft thrust plate to the engine block, and then carefully pull out the thrust plate and the Silent Shaft as an assembly.
   
   Support the rear of the shaft by reaching through the access hole to prevent damage to the rear bearing as the shaft is withdrawn from the engine (photo).
   
   If the thrust plate proves to be difficult to pull out, screw the appropriate size bolt into each of the threaded holes in the thrust plate flange until they bottom on the engine block.
   
   Continue turning them with a wrench, one turn at a time, alternating between the two, until the thrust plate is backed out of the engine block. Remove the bolts from the thrust plate flange.



4. The right Silent Shaft is removed with the oil pump (refer to Section 30).



5. To disassemble the left Silent Shaft, slip off the spacer and the thrust plate/bearing assembly. Do not lose the key in the end of the shaft. Remove the O-ring from the thrust plate.


INSTALLATION


6. Apply a thin layer of clean multi-purpose grease (or engine assembly lube) to the bearing journals on the left Silent Shaft, and then carefully insert it into the engine block.
   
   Support the rear of the shaft so that the rear bearing is not scratched or gouged as the shaft passes through it.



7. Install a new O-ring onto the outside of the thrust plate and lubricate it with clean multi-purpose grease. Also, apply a layer of grease to the thrust plate Silent Shaft bearing.

DRIVESHAFT/UNIVERSAL JOINTS | DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY

1. It is a good idea to dismantle the center universal joint first so that the driveshaft can be broken into two pieces, which makes it easier to handle and work on.



2. Support the universal joint in a vise equipped with soft jaws and remove the snap-rings from the universal joint yokes. It is recommended that each snap-ring and yoke be marked so that the snap-rings can be returned to the same position during reassembly (photo).



3. To remove the bearings from the yokes, you will need two sockets. One should be large enough to fit into the yoke where the snap-rings were installed and the other should have an inside diameter just large enough for the bearings to fit into when they are forced out of the yoke.



4. Mount the universal joint in a vise with the large socket on one side of the yoke and the small socket on the other side, pushing against the bearing. Carefully tighten the vise until the bearing is pushed out of the yoke and into the large socket.
   
   If it cannot be pushed all the way out, remove the universal joint from the vise and use a pair of pliers to finish removing the bearing (photo).



5. Reverse the sockets and push out the bearing on the other side of the yoke. This time, the small socket will be pushing against the cross-shaped universal joint journal end.



6. Before pressing out the two remaining bearings mark the universal joint so that they can be kept together and reassembled in the proper position.



7. The two remaining universal joints can be disassembled following the same procedure. Be sure to mark all components for each universal joint so that they can be kept together and reassembled in the proper position.



8. Remove the center bearing from the front driveshaft by referring to Section 11.

• Introduction: Vehicle identification numbers; Buying parts; Maintenance techniques, and more.
• Tune-up and routine maintenance
• Engine and overhaul procedures
• Cooling, heating and air-conditioning systems
• Fuel and exhaust systems
• Engine electrical systems
• Emissions control systems
• Transmission
• Brakes
• Suspension and steering systems
• Body
• Chassis electrical system
• Wiring diagrams