TDI driveshaft length with 6 speed box

[jtanguay]

so i'm wondering some stuff here... i got a PD motor & 6 speed box for it, but from a POLO.  i also have the driveshafts from the polo, and upon a brief mock up, they are about 1-2 inches short (going into a 98 beetle - the same as a mk4 golf/jetta).  now here's the question - how long are the regular TDI driveshaft lengths from a mk4?  i'm also wondering if i could use the inner joint and splice that with the outer TDI joints?  these shafts are practically brand new, and i would rather make spacers, but i'm trying to weigh in my options here.

any help greatly appreciated!

oldskoolrich - you have experience with the 6 speed boxes.  do they require shorter driveshafts, or is the diff housing the same size as the 5 speed boxes?  or do the flanges stick out more like the mk3 boxes compared to mk2 boxes???

thanks!!!

[oldskool rich]

my 6 speed came from a 2007 mk5 so dont know if i can be much help, it has a half shaft where the heldex would normaly go
i would think you could probly use the drive shafts off the mk4 PD 6 speed, as this box would surly be the same, i think some of the late ones came with this

you got to be carfull with drive shafts, if it is unbalanced it will shake ur CV joints to peaces, its cheaper to get longer shafts cut down and reslpined than getting custom ones from scratch but by cheap i mean £250 instead of £500

[jtanguay]

i was also considering spacers that bolt to the flange on the tranny... because driveshafts are so expensive!

thanks

[oldskool rich]

do these spacers exist? i suppose they wudnt be to hard to make

but i wud seriously look into the mk4 golf 6speed shafts because they wud work and probly be cheap, cant imagine many breakers sell drive shafts very often

[jtanguay]

do these spacers exist? i suppose they wudnt be to hard to make

but i wud seriously look into the mk4 golf 6speed shafts because they wud work and probly be cheap, cant imagine many breakers sell drive shafts very often

if they take a look at what they're worth (and most do) they will most likely gouge... but since 6 speed TDI transmissions are very rare over here, would 6 speed gasser (GTI) shafts be interchangeable?  we have enough of those over here to make the cost reasonable...

http://www.jegs.com/p/Steeda/962048/10002/-1?sendroicid=bbef8492-2d00-41d6-b158-38db0de2603c&sendroiad=1769716659&sendroikwd=Driveshaft+Spacer&gclid=CLCkm-SlipcCFSEhDQodz3YC-w

those guys sell spacer kits, but for mine i will need to get a custum width spacer, and buy some high grade bolts to lock it in tight!  i weigh in the cost of spacers to about $100-150 or so, and the shafts at least $100 each as brand new they are about $200-300 per side   :shock:

i'm wondering how thick of a spacer i can go before i'll run into problems though...  any opinions on this?  this has me starting to think of a way to have an adjustable length driveshaft... perfect for those who want to lower/raise their cars for winter/summer with coilovers etc. a screw in type with a special locking pin might work, but not for anyone putting down some serious power...  :lol:

thanks!

[Tintin]

Read my PD150 project and you will find some info about the axle.

Six speed axle gasser are 100% interchangeable with 6 speed diesel, both tranny are identical exept the final drive.

6 speeds and 5 speeds are not interchangeable.

Like you ask, you can mix an axle shaft with other CV joint if the spline are the same.

[jtanguay]

Read my PD150 project and you will find some info about the axle.

Six speed axle gasser are 100% interchangeable with 6 speed diesel, both tranny are identical exept the final drive.

6 speeds and 5 speeds are not interchangeable.

Like you ask, you can mix an axle shaft with other CV joint if the spline are the same.

thanks for the info!  i'm actually wondering if indeed my transmission box is a little different than the regular mk4/5 6 speed boxes as it was designed specifically for the vw polo.  the 6 speed transmission mount doesn't even fit on it! (not too happy about that  :evil: but i'll make it work) so maybe the mk4/5 6 speed shafts might be too long/not long enough...  the tranny code is JNC.  i'm gonna check the pricing on some 6 speed shafts from the junkers... i just hate having these like-new shafts and not being able to use them...  

since i got the spindles with the shafts, the axle nut is 36mm which most parts place list for BMW's, and vw is listed as 32mm,  i'm putting the bigger spindles on my car. plus they have almost new ball joints  :wink:

thanks!

[Rub87]

Also had problems with it, had mk4 golf 02M axles.. the strange thing is, the short axle actually is too short, and the long axle was 2-3cm too long, so I cut it and made it shorter, had to use mk4 flanges and redrill them for 4x100.. now I still have the problem that the short axle is too short, but havent drive the car, probaly I shall have to make it longer :/

[jtanguay]

Also had problems with it, had mk4 golf 02M axles.. the strange thing is, the short axle actually is too short, and the long axle was 2-3cm too long, so I cut it and made it shorter, had to use mk4 flanges and redrill them for 4x100.. now I still have the problem that the short axle is too short, but havent drive the car, probaly I shall have to make it longer :/

i've been toying with the idea of using spacers, as i just need about 2 inches more on either side.  the spacer needs to be machined just right though.  any movement in the bolts could mean that they get sheared off during wheelspin or such  :twisted:

[Tintin]

The best is to use telescopic axle, you can play with the lenght (longueur) at your choice.