Driveshafts not long enough - Troubleshooting - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Driveshafts not long enough by jtanguay on 25 Sep, 2008 07:49
• so another question... i have driveshafts out of a VW Polo (and the motor/transmission) which are just short (about 1.5 inches or so).  i'd hate to have to get these practically brand new shafts lengthened just for a few inches.  i was thinking of using a spacer on the drive flange and using longer bolts.  now i know it would have to be real good and tight fitting with absolutely no slop/play as the stress on the bolts would be significantly greater than stock.  
  
  then my dad told me of what some old vw guys did by extending it at the spindle.  does that sound right?  i'm thinking the spacer on the other end would be simplest, but clearance issues with turbo/exhaust are always lingering in my mind...
  
  has anyone ever done anything like this?  any info/help appreciated!
• #1 by jtanguay on 25 Sep, 2008 08:26
• http://www.jegs.com/p/Steeda/962048/10002/-1?sendroicid=1b2a8f2f-b67c-4565-bcce-c050beadb5cd&sendroiad=1769716659&sendroikwd=Driveshaft+Spacer&gclid=CMT-lIL49pUCFRqiQQodnTWE4A
  
  i think something like that is what i need... but for my build i think i'll need to go custom  
• #2 by TedV on 25 Sep, 2008 11:39
• I think I have seen something like this done on the Hewland MK9 formula car transmisions on some older formula cars.  Mk9 is actually a VW aircooled case reworked for quick change gears.  if you can't get anything made localy try http://www.taylor-race.com  It might not be cheap but whatever they come up with will work.
  
  The parts I've seen looked to be 6061 Al machined in a lathe to the recreate the shape of the inner CV joint as it mates to the flange.  Think the spacer is dished out in the center to clear the shaft thrust towards the trans just like the flange.
• #3 by burn_your_money on 25 Sep, 2008 12:52
• Make sure to check the angles that the CVs will be operating at. I'd be a shame to ruin those new CVs. What about swapping axles?
• #4 by jtanguay on 25 Sep, 2008 14:57
• thanks ted for the input
  
  

  Quote from: "burn_your_money"

  Make sure to check the angles that the CVs will be operating at. I'd be a shame to ruin those new CVs. What about swapping axles?

  
  
  i was worried about the angle of the CV, but the more i think of it, the polo was designed to run in about the same conditions, just with a shorter shaft.  i'm thinking if i lengthened the shaft, it would change the CV angle, whereas if i made the spacer, the angle would be preserved, no?  these CV's also look like they are tripod, as they have a lot of bend.
  
  another thing is that i got the spindles as well, and good thing they are exactly the same because it feels like the bearings on the car right now are done...  brand new ball joints on them too  :lol:
• #5 by burn_your_money on 25 Sep, 2008 20:10
• Lengthening the length of the axle will reduce the angle that the CVs have to operate in