Eldorado 1971 Axle Damper - Necessary?

[mummyjohn]

I'm pulling the motor on my Eldo and so the right axle - with that big rubber thing, the damper the size of a Foster's can - is out anyhow.

I've heard others say this thing is a burden, pointless, that the factory stopped putting them on at a certain year because "why bother"...point being, do y'all recommend that I SHOULD buy a new "regular" (read: damperless) axle for when I reassemble?  Or just put the old one back in?  Pics for reference:


P.S. if I *should* get a new one, rec'd brands?  OPGI (trust because specialists, plus local), or Autozone's duralast, or Rockauto's options, or....

[Glen]

I think the Eldos with the THM425 came with the damper on the right axle, But they are problematic in that they become loose and the axle takes on a slight bend are causes vibrations.  I heard of one Eldo owner that had one become disconnected on acceleration.  I don’t know of anybody that sells replacements.  The left axle fits perfectly on the right side, so I believe everyone is doing away with the damper.   

That's what I did on my 68 ELDO. 

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I don't know if it is true, but I think I can recall in the past that someone said that the axle with the damper is in two pieces.

If this is true, then the damper needs to be there.

Must be a reason for it, simply because the Cadillac Engineers wouldn't have spent the money in development, and manufacture, if they didn't have to.

BUT, I would say that it has something to do with there being an intermediate shaft between it, and the third member.

When I was removing and replacing the engines/transmissions in both the '71 and '72 Eldos, I was, and am still, curious as to why there isn't a positive location device on the engine block to positively and accurately locate the mounting flange.   There is a lot of slop in the bolt holes of the hanging plate, and the shaft can be secured in many different positions, thereby not completely aligning the spline in the side gear of the diff.

Bruce.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

The right half shaft with a torsion damper IS in two pieces.  All that holds them together is the material of the damper itself.  I have never been know as a slow driver and when my half shaft separated on my new 72 Eldo wat about 5,000 miles the dealer replaced it with a solid half shaft,
Apparently if these cars are driven sedately the haf shaft damper will endure, but if driven hard they won't.
Greg Surfas

[mummyjohn]

Perfect replies guys.  I wasn't saying "remove" as in "cut it off," I meant get a new solid axle vs. put the original one back in.

As for new ones, any brand you'd recommend (or recommend avoiding)?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The right half shaft with a torsion damper IS in two pieces.  Greg Surfas 

Thanks for the clarification Greg.

I am not a driver that is hard on cars, but as I know I have to either build or repair my own blunders, up till this stage, I do drive to the limits of adhesion, and have been known to go further, but not lose complete control.   Life is good.

Having spares is good, and one day, I may be able to show a picture or two, of a dissected axle showing how they are constructed.   But till then,.........

Bruce.  

[TJ Hopland]

The new unit from Autozone is a different design from the original.  I suspect other brands may be the same.  It overall fits but one issue was the washer and nut.  The threaded end and nut is smaller than the original so doesn't fit the original washer and at least with mine they didn't include a new washer.   

Any shaft assembly you get new or used check that the threads are not damaged and the nut threads on easily.  Also check for damage on the splines.    Lots of rebuilt shafts seem to be damaged in these areas. 

If they are not new production check the condition of the boots.   I have got many of these that have been on the shelf a long time so the boots are stiff and cracked right out of the box.