refurbing half shafts

For all your questions, problems and DIY stories
Post Reply
User avatar
nas80
E21 Mad
Posts: 2975
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: West Yorkshire

refurbing half shafts

Post by nas80 »

I have a few spare driveshafts and I want to refurbish them.

I was just wondering if anyone can walk me through it?

Where to buy CV joints? I have had a look at the usual places but cannot seem to find anything except the boot that goes over?


[img]http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a285/nasbucket/forumsig.jpg[/img]
User avatar
Duracel79
E21 VIP
E21 VIP
Posts: 814
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 6:54 pm
Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Re: refurbing half shafts

Post by Duracel79 »

When I was looking into all this, the best I could find was a reburbushed set from BMW. the whole shaft that is.
They machine the CV joint to take new larger balls. Very expensive to still have the old CV casings and shafts.

I went fully custom shafts route, which means I can get replacement joints from GKN.
In my opinion the best solution for the longer term when using more HP.

Regards

Ben
1982 323i ("Test Mule" - to become an M20 powered track car)
1983 316 (Taiga Thunder - S54 Track car)
1982 635csiA (Another Weldathon)
2004 330d Touring (The Daily Hack / Tow Car / Load lugger)
1974 3.0 csi (The first Weldathon)
User avatar
nas80
E21 Mad
Posts: 2975
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: refurbing half shafts

Post by nas80 »

I don't want to upgrade these spare ones, just refurbish them.. are you saying that the cv joints are unavailable? if so that sucks pretty majorly really.

edit I am planning on getting some upgraded ones at one point
[img]http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a285/nasbucket/forumsig.jpg[/img]
User avatar
Duracel79
E21 VIP
E21 VIP
Posts: 814
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 6:54 pm
Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Re: refurbing half shafts

Post by Duracel79 »

Yes, I could not find any new std CV joints for sale.

Best way to refurbish the ones you have would be:

Remove the joints from the shafts.
Ideally keep the cv's in one piece, balls in the same grooves.
Remove the rubber boots.
Clean and wash all the seperate bits (I find petrol works wonders).
Assemble back together with new boots and good quality CV grease.

Regards

Ben
1982 323i ("Test Mule" - to become an M20 powered track car)
1983 316 (Taiga Thunder - S54 Track car)
1982 635csiA (Another Weldathon)
2004 330d Touring (The Daily Hack / Tow Car / Load lugger)
1974 3.0 csi (The first Weldathon)
User avatar
polov8
E21 Pro
Posts: 522
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 6:30 pm
My E21(s): '83 Polaris silver 316
Location: Dronfield

Re: refurbing half shafts

Post by polov8 »

100mm isn't an unusual size for CV joints, I'm guessing the hard bit is finding some with the right spline size inside.
Andy
User avatar
Duracel79
E21 VIP
E21 VIP
Posts: 814
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 6:54 pm
Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Re: refurbing half shafts

Post by Duracel79 »

Thats correct, it is the spline count that is difficult to find.

Std Lobro style CV's can be easily found in 100mm OD 86mm pcd with 25, 28, 33 splines.
iirc BMW decided on 24 splines.

Ben
1982 323i ("Test Mule" - to become an M20 powered track car)
1983 316 (Taiga Thunder - S54 Track car)
1982 635csiA (Another Weldathon)
2004 330d Touring (The Daily Hack / Tow Car / Load lugger)
1974 3.0 csi (The first Weldathon)
Post Reply