How long are the driveshafts?
Discussion
Hi All
Can anyone tell me the length and width of the drive shafts? I'm not sure if they are different lengths depending on the diff fitted?
Mine is fitted with the BTR diff.
If anyone has them off the car at the moment and could measure one, it would be appreciated? I also presume NS and OS are the same length?
Any info appreciated.
Cheers
Can anyone tell me the length and width of the drive shafts? I'm not sure if they are different lengths depending on the diff fitted?
Mine is fitted with the BTR diff.
If anyone has them off the car at the moment and could measure one, it would be appreciated? I also presume NS and OS are the same length?
Any info appreciated.
Cheers
ianwayne said:
Be careful with this thread.There is a picture showing the drive shaft measurements which is later stated as being incorrect (very last post on the thread confirms it is incorrect)
Thanks for the info everyone. I've had a good read through the link provided. Crickey, didn't realise it was that complicated. 
Right then....
I have a BTR diff with the "longer shafts" 476 - 478mm shafts (measurement depending on who's measured them) From the link, this appears to be incorrect as the shorter shafts should ideally be on cars with the BTR diff, although the opinion is that this should be fine and people have upgraded from GKN diffs and not changed shafts.
The reason for the original question is that I have recently been left stranded in Belgium after the CV joint "popped". The outer part, diff end moved inwards (away from the diff) too far resulting in their being no drive. I have now replaced both the CV joints, they were less than a year old when one let go. I'm trying to work out whether this is simply part failure or whether there is something wrong that has caused the failure?
Could the wrong length shaft have caused this? My simple thinking says that if the shaft is too long then the movement will have to go somewhere once the CV joint reaches the end of its movement?
Has anyone else suffered with CV joint failure, they were purchased from a TVR specialist so a good quality part?
Cheers
Liam
Right then....
I have a BTR diff with the "longer shafts" 476 - 478mm shafts (measurement depending on who's measured them) From the link, this appears to be incorrect as the shorter shafts should ideally be on cars with the BTR diff, although the opinion is that this should be fine and people have upgraded from GKN diffs and not changed shafts.
The reason for the original question is that I have recently been left stranded in Belgium after the CV joint "popped". The outer part, diff end moved inwards (away from the diff) too far resulting in their being no drive. I have now replaced both the CV joints, they were less than a year old when one let go. I'm trying to work out whether this is simply part failure or whether there is something wrong that has caused the failure?
Could the wrong length shaft have caused this? My simple thinking says that if the shaft is too long then the movement will have to go somewhere once the CV joint reaches the end of its movement?
Has anyone else suffered with CV joint failure, they were purchased from a TVR specialist so a good quality part?
Cheers
Liam
After renewing CV joints a couple of years ago, I had a nightmare for a few weeks with exactly this happening repeatedly. Got to know the AA guy quite well after successive recoveries!
Mine were joints from a well known midlands driveline specialist often lauded on here - on the bench, it was quite possible to lift the centre spider completely out the outer on a new joint without the balls 'locking' the assembly. On a worn GKN original, that could not be done, the joint would just lock in. Accordingly, changed to GKN and no more issues
Mine were joints from a well known midlands driveline specialist often lauded on here - on the bench, it was quite possible to lift the centre spider completely out the outer on a new joint without the balls 'locking' the assembly. On a worn GKN original, that could not be done, the joint would just lock in. Accordingly, changed to GKN and no more issues
Thanks Pupp.
Hopefully just "faulty" parts.
I don't suppose anyone has a spare drive shaft that they don't need and want to exchange for some beer tokens
I'm tempted to put a spare in the boot with the CV joints on in case anything goes again. Just for the next six months until I'm comfortable. I'm off to Europe gain soon and don't want to get stranded again and see the car come back on a transporter.
Cheers
Liam
Hopefully just "faulty" parts.
I don't suppose anyone has a spare drive shaft that they don't need and want to exchange for some beer tokens
I'm tempted to put a spare in the boot with the CV joints on in case anything goes again. Just for the next six months until I'm comfortable. I'm off to Europe gain soon and don't want to get stranded again and see the car come back on a transporter.
Cheers
Liam
I don't think mine were 'faulty' in the sense that some material or manufacturing defect existed - they looked well made (on CNC machinery by the thousands I would think) and I'm sure most get fitted with absolutely no problems due to never being pushed/pulled to full extension in their applications. I suspect the issue is actually one of them being made just ever so slightly different in geometric or dimensional form to avoid Lobro/GKN intellectual property infringements. They articulate just fine, transmit loads etc but are just pushed outside their limits on our cars on full extension/deflection such that the joint pops open. Like I say, a definite mechanical difference between the aftermarket ones and the GKN parts - I tried making a hybrid with mixed parts from both and no way would it go together - the ball sizes were identical but the tracks in the spiders were very differently formed
Edited by Pupp on Monday 22 June 20:42
Barreti said:
ianwayne said:
Be careful with this thread.There is a picture showing the drive shaft measurements which is later stated as being incorrect (very last post on the thread confirms it is incorrect)
Not sure this will help
Tuscan challenge drive shafts are from MK3 Granada same as these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-GRANADA-480MM-LEFT-...
they also do the 520mm which I don't think fit any TVR
Tuscan challenge drive shafts are from MK3 Granada same as these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-GRANADA-480MM-LEFT-...
they also do the 520mm which I don't think fit any TVR
Hi OP, I have my 'oe' shafts on bench at home and will measure and check previous information, forgive me if I can't remember at moment. I do recall the problems I had with regards to shaft measurements and will get back with explanation. Though on reading your post again it seems you have a problem with the CV's as they have to be articulated to a pretty extreme angle in order for the bearings to be removed from the cage, so shouldn't fall out.
Edited by macdeb on Wednesday 24th June 16:27
OK, at home now with driveshaft on my desk from a 2000 Chimeara with a BTR diff' and the measurements are;
458mm total length
390mm inner shoulder to inner shoulder
4mm from end to outer circlip groove
2mm circlip groove
28mm spline for CV
[the latter has a 2mm circlip groove within next to shoulder that isn't used [so actually only 26mm of splines], but is the weak point on these shafts and where they normally break]
28mm diameter within cv boots
30mm diameter otherwise.
The step in diameter is to locate the cv boots, but most modified shafts do away with the step as they are not needed.
Both shafts are identical.
as per the linked thread it appears the GKN diff' equipped cars seem to have slightly longer shafts than BTR equipped. I know that GKN length shafts will fit BTR cars as there is room within the bellhousings at wheel and diff to accommodate. I am not sure however [or heard] if BTR equipped shafts will fit GKN, then again, why would you as the change to BTR diff' 'seems' the norm' as opposed to other way around.
Also, [so I'm told] be sure to fit the same shafts to the same side o/s v n/s with rotation in same direction as it can cause fatigue in the shafts otherwise. I usually mark with an arrow on the shaft as per the direction of drive [toward wheel]
As said before I think your problem is with the CV's.
458mm total length
390mm inner shoulder to inner shoulder
4mm from end to outer circlip groove
2mm circlip groove
28mm spline for CV
[the latter has a 2mm circlip groove within next to shoulder that isn't used [so actually only 26mm of splines], but is the weak point on these shafts and where they normally break]
28mm diameter within cv boots
30mm diameter otherwise.
The step in diameter is to locate the cv boots, but most modified shafts do away with the step as they are not needed.
Both shafts are identical.
as per the linked thread it appears the GKN diff' equipped cars seem to have slightly longer shafts than BTR equipped. I know that GKN length shafts will fit BTR cars as there is room within the bellhousings at wheel and diff to accommodate. I am not sure however [or heard] if BTR equipped shafts will fit GKN, then again, why would you as the change to BTR diff' 'seems' the norm' as opposed to other way around.
Also, [so I'm told] be sure to fit the same shafts to the same side o/s v n/s with rotation in same direction as it can cause fatigue in the shafts otherwise. I usually mark with an arrow on the shaft as per the direction of drive [toward wheel]
As said before I think your problem is with the CV's.
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