Practically Classics Forum

Where do you all buy your driveshaft tripods from?

I'm needing to replace the tripod bearing on a Sierra front driveshaft. I don't think Qinton Hazell deal with them.

Err - done lots of driveshafts etc. but never heard of a tripod.... what's that then? 'Scuse my ignorance!

What is the correct name for these?

It's just another type of CV joint...

The tripod refers to a three-pronged yoke fitted to the shaft which carries a bearing on each prong. These bearings then run in channels in the outer casing a bit like the balls do in a conventional Rzeppa joint (the 6-ball type you find at the outer end of the driveshaft). They're usually found on more modern cars, and always at the inner end of the shaft. They're cheaper to make than the Rzeppa joint but not as flexible.


Don't know where you'd get replacement bearings from though!

Read again he said sierra so he must mean Prop shaft not drive shaft..??

Dave M wrote: Rzeppa joint (the 6-ball type you find at the outer end of the driveshaft).

Aha...Rzeppa,interesting name. Although the driveshaft does have one,but that is on the hub side,the tripod is on the front diff side.

@Jimmy,yes the driveshaft,although the tripod are known to be on propshafts

jimmyybob wrote:Read again he said sierra so he must mean Prop shaft not drive shaft..??

He could be on about the 4x4 version, whick would have drive shafts at the front.
You might be looking for a drive/prop shaft specialist.
I had the same problem and moding the shaft aswell.

http://www.practicallyclassics.co.uk/vi ... ?f=8&t=590

The 4x4 would surely have driveshafts at both ends.

Here is a piccie of the rear ones:

Mitsuru wrote: He could be on about the 4x4 version,

yes,sorry,short on info

Mitsuru wrote: You might be looking for a drive/prop shaft specialist.
I had the same problem and moding the shaft aswell.

That seems the correct direction. But will see if the rear driveshaft tripod on Ford parts catalogue will match