Driveshafts. One-piece vs. two

[Truenotch]

I spent quite a few dollars and did a lot of fucking around trying to make my one piece shaft work. It was less than 1 metre long and originally had standard Toyota UJ crosses at each end. It vibrated like fuck and was scary to drive at any speed above 5krpm in 3rd gear. 

 

We eventually fitted aftermarket UJ's to try and avoid slop, lengthened it (i.e made a new shaft) and it vibrated just the same. Both times it had been balanced by a professional driveshaft fabricator and the angle of the crosses was within tolerance. 

 

Now I've fitted a "standard" AE86 2-piece driveshaft with shitty, small, staked-in UJ's and a J160 yoke on the front end. The difference is unbelievable and it feels like a smooth car to drive again. I'll never go back to single piece unless it's in an IRS car with a very short shaft. 

 

 

 

The moral of the story is to stick with the 2 piece. 

[mjrstar]

Showed me a carbonfibre dshaft out of a 350z I think? Definatly wasnt carbon for the weight saving. Was heavy as if not heavier then a steel one.wall thickness was about 12mm, used because its much stiffer and the resonant frequeny was much higher.

 

 

FYI it won't have been a 350z shaft if it was 12mm wall thickness for the full length, they are more like 5mm thick, trust me I have attacked one with a hacksaw and lathe..

[Ja1lb8]

The one i saw was cut near the yoke so maybe just near the ends were that thick, or maybe it was off something completly different. No idea to be honest. Was pretty trick tho. Looked like the ends were just glued/resined in. Must have been some good shit

[oldrx7]

bumping this up cos it's kinda related to my question;

maybe a stupid question too, but just wanna know before I ring up a driveshaft place tomorrow

can a driveshaft be lengthened? I know they normally get shortened then balanced but just curious if they can get lengthened then balanced?

good shops in Auckland? (prefer south)

and rough cost estimate if anyone has had a d-shaft balanced recently?

thanks

[morkster]

I had a s1 rx7 one lengthened (new tube/balance) 50mm for my rx2.. the driveshaft place on sunnybrae/porana did it for circa 300$. No problems.

[oldrx7]

cheers thanks man!

[flyingbrick]

FYI it won't have been a 350z shaft if it was 12mm wall thickness for the full length, they are more like 5mm thick, trust me I have attacked one with a hacksaw and lathe..

How long are these? And what kinda tq do people put threw them?

[M.H.]

The driveshaft in my car is carbon fiber for the front half. Its for frontal crash reasons. Nothing to do with weight

[oldrx7]

I had a s1 rx7 one lengthened (new tube/balance) 50mm for my rx2.. the driveshaft place on sunnybrae/porana did it for circa 300$. No problems.

 

Ended up using Driveshaft Specialist in East Tamaki, 1 day turn around to lengthen 45mm & balance.  Caught him at a quiet time so worked out great for quick service.  $500 though. 4 hours labour + materials.