Universal joints or layrub couplings for a 1952 Javelin

[Chris Vreke]

I am dutch so forgive me if some writing is strange to you
As I am rebuilding a 1952 Javelin I am looking for 3 layrub(universal joint) couplings in good condition or just the rubber inserts inside to change them by drilling out the rivits change the inserts and rivit the plates together again
I have no idee where to find this couplings or inserts All suggestions
or information about this couplings are wellcome

[Tim Neville]

Hello Chris and Welcome!
No doubt you may well get more replies from other members on Jowett Talk, but may I suggest that you contact Jowett Car Spares on (44) 1535 692002 this evening, it being a Monday when they are there.
or contact Mr. Bill Lock on (44) 1604 483 0171
or " 1327 831 058
or " 0768383213 (mobile) he can be hard to get hold of!

Between them and other members, you should be able to get everything you need.

[Forumadmin]

Hi Chris, There are other club members in Holland who may hold some spares. This part is manufactured for the club so is unlikely to be available elsewhere. Some members have replaced them with Hardy Spicer roller UJs; although it is a lot of work and may not be a good engineering solution.

You need to be a club member to purchase from the club which you can join from the link on the home page. Send your form to the International sec. whom you can contact via the requests link on the home page. Payment can be made by Visa through him.

[Keith Andrews]

I am dutch so forgive me if some writing is strange to you

Blame it on your parents m8..not your fault
Nothing wrong with your English...better than mine

Welcome to The World Wide Jowett Community

[David Morris]

Hi Chris,

The Layrub couplings used on a Javelin are used in several other design applications and the particular rubber inserts we need for the Javelin are still made in the UK.

The maker is a firm called Twiflex who have a website www.twiflex.com and can be reached by phone on 44(0)-22-8893-9622.

I have found them very helpful and you can still purchase the rubber inserts and rebuild the coupling, just as you describe.

However, when I needed some last year, I was lucky enough to find some at a autojumble that were new. The story was that these were re-imported from Australia where they were ( or perhaps still are ) used in their Navy. The only snag is that they are painted bright blue! Makes the underside of my Javelin a bit prettier though!

One point about using Layrubs as opposed to Hardy Spicers is that there is apparently a design snag made by Jowett's in the application of Layrubs on a Javelin, especially the joint just by the nose of the differential. This joint has to accommodate quite large swings in radius and hence changes in effective propshaft length. Apparently, what we are asking the Layrub coupling to do, is well beyond its theoretical design limits - hence in this position they are prone to early failure.

This might be the reason why Jupiters use Hardy Spicers?

Anyway, I hope this is useful and do ask if I can be any help.

All the best,

David

[David Morris]

Hi Chris,

The Layrub couplings used on a Javelin are used in several other design applications and the particular rubber inserts we need for the Javelin are still made in the UK.

The maker is a firm called Twiflex who have a website www.twiflex.com and can be reached by phone on 44(0)-22-8893-9622.

I have found them very helpful and you can still purchase the rubber inserts and rebuild the coupling, just as you describe.

However, when I needed some last year, I was lucky enough to find some at a autojumble that were new. The story was that these were re-imported from Australia where they were ( or perhaps still are ) used in their Navy. The only snag is that they are painted bright blue! Makes the underside of my Javelin a bit prettier though!

One point about using Layrubs as opposed to Hardy Spicers is that there is apparently a design snag made by Jowett's in the application of Layrubs on a Javelin, especially the joint just by the nose of the differential. This joint has to accommodate quite large swings in radius and hence changes in effective propshaft length. Apparently, what we are asking the Layrub coupling to do, is well beyond its theoretical design limits - hence in this position they are prone to early failure.

This might be the reason why Jupiters use Hardy Spicers?

Anyway, I hope this is useful and do ask if I can be any help.

All the best,

David

[David Morris]

Hi Chris,

Thinking about the wear on the Layrubs a bit more makes me reconsider what I suggested in the previous post. ( Sorry about the duplication! )

When Jupiters use Hardy Spicers on the rear propshaft, they have a sliding joint to help with the changing effective length of the propshaft as the suspension moves.

This luxury is not available to Javelins and the Layrubs have to 'take the strain'. Thinking about it, it is probably the Layrub behind the centre bearing that suffers most, as this one has to absorb both the changes in the angle of deflection and the changes in effective propshaft length.

Thinking about the condition of my Layrubs before I changed them, it was this one that had suffered most.

All the best,

David

[Chris Vreke]

Thanks to all of you
I contacted Twiflex company in England and the Dutch distributor as well
and both were very helpfull
They sent me an original layrub coupling brochure with the message that
it is a 2/ 4 type 55 x 1 1/8 inch nr. 2416 in the brochure and nowadays it is partnr. LA 21003 for the complete coupling and partnr. LA 20003 for the inserts
I will try to upload the brochure to the club I only have to find out how