Driveshafts

[mrbell]

So, I'm at the point where I need to sort out my halfshafts. I have Mini disc brake outer CV's and Mk3 Suzuki non-GTI inner CVs. Will 16vminishop's Suzuki driveshafts work? I've read that the splines are different between mk1 and others, but I've also read that they are the same. Also, being a later transmission, is the diff housing wider or narrower or the joint themselves wider or narrower such that the width would be wrong?
I think alot of the confusion comes from whether you're talking about the splines on the CV that go into the diff or the splines on the axle that go into the CV....

[Spiyda]

So, I'm at the point where I need to sort out my halfshafts. I have Mini disc brake outer CV's and Mk3 Suzuki non-GTI inner CVs. Will 16vminishop's Suzuki driveshafts work? I've read that the splines are different between mk1 and others, but I've also read that they are the same. Also, being a later transmission, is the diff housing wider or narrower or the joint themselves wider or narrower such that the width would be wrong?
I think alot of the confusion comes from whether you're talking about the splines on the CV that go into the diff or the splines on the axle that go into the CV....

There are at least three different spline arrangements I have come across :(

I would offer to make some from mini shafts, but I am already 1 pair behind, and the machine is needed for other projects. It's going to be October before I get around to making any more.

[mrbell]

Egads... so does anyone know what the splines are for the 16vminishop's shafts? I emailed them but haven't received a response, and I've tried to use their live support, but it's never active...

[Spiyda]

Egads... so does anyone know what the splines are for the 16vminishop's shafts? I emailed them but haven't received a response, and I've tried to use their live support, but it's never active...

All three have different numbers of splines, so as long as you have that, you don't have to worry about the diameter or tooth form.

[mrbell]

What do you mean "all three have different number of splines"? All three of what? I was asking about one particular set of driveshafts...

Anyway, I got my answer from Matt. They are Mk1 only.

[Spiyda]

What do you mean "all three have different number of splines"? All three of what? I was asking about one particular set of driveshafts...

Anyway, I got my answer from Matt. They are Mk1 only.

the different driveshafts all have a different number of splines..
in other words, there are not two that are the same number of splines but different diameters..

[miniswift]

Hi,

To confuse matter, there are 2 mk1 Gtis.
Mk1 ph1 has 19 splines and mk1 ph2 has same diameter as mk2 onwards(20 splines), if my memery serve me correct!
Also, you need to check where your engine is positioned.

Are you using middle shaft? 16vminishop one is not using a middle shaft so oneside is longer than the other.

Good luck.
Atchi

[Purtsi]

Doesn't the Metro drive shafts have the same amount of splines as gti mk1? I recall trying to fit the swift drive shaft to Metro joints and the splines matched. And yes, I'm doing my drive shafts from old metro ones that I've had laying on the shelves for a long time :)

[mrbell]

I am not using a middle shaft. I had originally intended to, but there's no way I can make that fit. the end of 1 CV, the diff housing, the jack shaft and the other CV all add up to be wider than the space between the towers on my subframe.

[bigfella]

Ive just finished making my driveshafts for my mini. The lengths of the shafts on my car are 321mm and 315. How long are other peoples shafts?
Im using a mk1 gearbox with the intermediate shaft.

Ive also made another set of drive shafts for my Dads mini. Hes using a mk2 gearbox with the intermediate shaft and the driveshafts are 65mm different in length.

Is the diff and intermediate shaft slightly more to one side on a mk2 gearbox then a mk1?

Both engines are mounted in the same place in the subframes.

Are metro driveshafts strong enough when they have been turned down to the same size as a mk1 gti shaft?

[Swiftmini]

I'm fairly sure mine ended up 10mm different and i know i made one 320 long.

Kev

[bigfella]

Thanks for your response Kev. Are you using a mk1 gearbox or a mk2-3?

When people use metro driveshafts and cut them down to suit the gti cv do they get them hardened after, or will the shaft be strong enough at 19mm diameter?

Before I started machining my metro shafts down i got the short piece i cut off and turned a few steps into it, heated it up cherry red and quenched it in oil to see if the material does go hard. It did, so hard i couldn't centre punch it or evan file it. Now has this made it too hard that it will snap like a carrot when the engine loads it up, or will it be just right for the job?

Only time will tell when i finally drive the car.

Matt