Driveshaft question

I am in the process of putting a new rear end in my 63 Galaxie.

When I bolted up the driveshaft this afternoon the bearing cups that are held in by the ubolts were lose and just sitting there. i held them evenly spaced and tightened the bolts...... is this right ?
When I unbolted the ubolts the bearing cups fell off, so i am assuming that when they are tightened they lock in there ?

I put this picture here for reference, you can see the ubolts holding the bearing cups



Can someone tell me if this is right

Thanks

L
[addsig]

If the cups just fell off: either you need a new u-joint repair kit (cross&cups) or they were not installed correctly. also there should be a small flange on the pinion gear yoke( on both sides) that aliegn the cups when installing the shaft.

The u-bolts hold the cups back to the pinion yoke, and the flanges keep them from slipping out.

You might need a diffrent u-joint... if the cups roll in the pinion end... They should fit exactly to the dimensions of the place they fit into, and should be slightly snug up against the outsides of the yoke hwere the tiny lip's re that keep them from vibrating outward off of the u'joint. A mic is the best to measure and then look to the poarts store bood for a matching u-joint to fit the drive shaft and the yoke on the rear end.


Do NOT use it if there are any second thoughts!

FE
[addsig]

If the bearing cups were dry they can fall off and still be the right U-joint. Check where the needle bearing ride in the U-joint for any type of wavy wear. U-joint are cheap, abot $12 Napa with a Zerk fitting. Have them check by application then compare the two U-joints with a Mic.