Dave Kamp’s U-joint Driveshaft mod
 

will this work on the cub cadet 1650 that i have? i bought it last friday on the 3rd and driveshaft is bent, and it was a you know what to get it out. i hope someone has done this to there cub and would be nice to know how much to cut off on the shaft end to get it to fit in and if you have a picture or two to post
:coffee:
thanks a lot,
Jared

Welcome to OCC.

I have read the "write-up" from Dave and it looks like a very durable set-up.

However, I believe that there is a LOT of unnecessary work done for what you need. The factory set-up lasted nearly 40 years, if you put it back as it is supposed to be, it should last another 40 years, how much more can anyone need from a drive line.

I can't imagine how a shaft could possibly get bent, I can see it being worn on one or both ends causing it to not "run true". Even if the motor mounts are bad, the 3 pin driver broken and the Flex Disc joints are bad, I can't imagine a bent shaft. I guess anything is possible though.

I think Sam Mac has a very good idea for a replacement, using a shaft from a newer model tractor.

Just because something has worn out after 40 years, doesn't mean that it's a bad design.

idk how the other owner bent it or what happen to it all i know is if you crank the throttle up? your teeth will fall out lol so that how bad it is. yes your right it is a good long lasting design but just a pain to take a part and so i figured it would make it look cooler

I have almost got all the parts to do this on my 129, using a Moog 338 u-joint and two 5/8" id yokes. Should last til I'm dead and gone.
Replaced all that stuff in October, got about 3hrs on it before it sheared the front pin so I am going overboard this time.

I would not do a U-Joint drive line on a QL due to the fact that the engine is rubber mounted so not only can it move side to side but also fore and aft. This requires a drive line that can accommodate changes in length. You would need a slip yoke to deal with that issue.

I put a U-joint on the driveshaft I made for my 782 with a 20HP Vanguard. Didn't know about the article you referred to. I just read it and he pointed out an area I had difficulty with. That's drilling the hole for the spirol pins.
My first attempt was crooked and welded up those holes. Second attempt was good using a set-up similar to what he shows in the article.
So far I'm satisfied with it. I've only run it at idle, briefly. The tractor is up on stands without wheels and I haven't finished the wiring harness. It's summer and I spend as much time as possible boating.

I know Dave personally. Lives about 15 miles from me. Trust me, he knows his stuff. And his mods are well built. Maybe overbuilt, but well built. :beerchug: