Drive shaft question
 

I made a new drive shaft for my 882 and it looks like the new one is too long. It is the same lenght as the old one and the holes are the same but look how close it is to the rear coupler. I can only fit one rag joint between the couplings. If I put in two then they are flexing and I'm afraid it's putting too much pressure on the crank or input shaft. I replaced the rear coupler and all 4 rag joints with new. The old ones look like the same as the new. This shaft is a PIA to remove but it looks like I need to. Should the space between the rear couplers be the same or maybe a little less as two rags put together with everything else bolted up?

I believe I would make room for 2 rag joints to fit comfortably. I wouldn't want to run just 1 rag joint at either end with that diesel motor torquing on them.

on that tractor can you slide motor a head that little bit

Thanks guys. I am running 4 total. Look at the difference in the thickness. The old is on the left and the new on the right. I think that is where my problem is. How tight do you all tighten them? I just snug them up till they start compressing.

I do the same as you. Nylock nut and snug them decently but not to the point of distortion.

Here are pics of the front rags. Do these look tight enough? The two measure 3/4 of an inch and I used button head bolts because of the problem I had with the heads hitting each other as I posted before.

There are two types of self captivating nuts.

I do not like the nylon for severe vibration. The type I prefer are the deformed nut type. There are a couple deformed nut type. I only use them once and throw them away.

I use regular nuts to determine everything is set up properly and working, then switch nuts for final installation just before putting the tunnel cover back on.

Yea, I'm anal about it, but, they stay together!!

I would prefer to see a couple of threads sticking out past the nut, but yes that looks pretty good.

I had to cut them off to clear the steering column. I also put blue Loctite on the threads.

I tighten mine down good. Tight is tight, too tight is broke.