Dude, sorry your spare tube turned out worse. Yes, there are should be big washers there. In theory the front and rear u-joints should be operating at similar angles, which is why I would assume the washers are in there. But at this point I don’t see how it could hurt to give it a try.

Rick used to have a website that had his contact info. I think it was chevette.biz? I can't seem to get to it, but that could be the firewall at my work.