Lakewood Driveshaft Loop Install
Written by Eric Hartman Tuesday, 23 May 2000 18:00
Drivetrain
The driveshaft loop is required to meet the NHRA safety rules if the car is running 13.99 and faster on slicks or 13.00 and faster on street tires. The rules require that the loop is mounted within 6 inches of the front U-joint on the driveshaft for support of the driveshaft in the event of a U-joint failure. The loop must enclose the driveshaft in a full 360 degrees and must be either 1/4-inch thick and 2-inches wide or 7/8-inch x 0.065-inch welded steel tubing. The Lakewood driveshaft loop is a simple yet rugged piece which complies to the NHRA specifications and retails for about $30.
To install the loop, you need a few simple tools:
- jack, jack stands
- socket set
- grease pencil (or any sort of marker)
- hammer and punch
- a drill and a 3/8" bit
- socket set
- tape measurer
- Phillips screwdriver
Installation
1. First start by removing the seats and the rocker panel trim so you can pull up the carpet. The interior on DeepFreeze was already stripped in preparation for floor repairs and a roll cage. You will need to pull it up enough to access the floor.
2. Jack up the front of the car and support it with jack stands. Take all of the appropriate safety precautions.
3. Get under the car and hang the upper portion of the loop over the driveshaft. Partially assemble the loop, bolt together the two sides pieces to the upper loop. I recommend putting the heads of the bolts on the inside of the loop for additional driveshaft clearance. On the two side pieces, there are three pairs of bolt holes. Bolt the upper loop into the top holes and the lower loop into the middle pair of holes.
4. Bolt in the lower portion of the loop. Attach it to the middle bolt holes on the side pieces. The loop should be basically circular. If you put it in the wrong holes, it will appear to be oblong or an oval. In the picture, the lower loop is bolted to the lower holes...do not do this!
5. Figure out where you need to position the loop. Hold the assembly in place and try and get the driveshaft centered in the loop while keeping the assembly at a right angle to the driveshaft. Mark the position of the holes with the grease pencil. The approximate location is marked on the picture. It is fairly obvious when you get under there.
6. Punch the holes and drill them out. There are 4 holes drilled on each piece. I used the two holes across from each other.
7. Bolt the loop to the floor. I put the bolts with the large flat washers inside the car and tacked them in place (welding is not necessary). Put the nuts on from underneath and tighten everything up. The supplied shim may be necessary on the passenger side to keep it flat. I used the supplied shim and welded it to the passenger side arm.
8. Don't forget to tighten the bolts that assemble the two loop pieces.
This installation took about half an hour from start to finish. It will take longer if the seats need to be taken out and the carpet needs to be pulled back. I was happy with the installation...there weren't any surprises and everything fit very well.
SourceLakewood Industries
www.mrgasket.com/lakewood.htm
