Driveshaft surprise !

J

John Buchtenkirch

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Glen Cove, Long Island, NY
I called LaJolla Independent today to inquire about U-joints with grease fittings. I was surprised to find out that BMW U-joints are swaged in. When I told him my U-joints had inner cir-clips holding them in he said my driveshaft had been machined (probably by Beyer Motor works) to have replaceable U-joints which I think is pretty cool, I love stuff I can service myself. I now realize why everyone suggests having a shop change them ! I’m just wondering if anyone has been thru this before and might know what U-joints my driveshaft takes ? This 5 speed swap has certainly had it’s share of surprises :shock: for me. Many thanks ~ John Buchtenkirch
 
u-joints

John, I believe it's Toyota joints that they use when they machine the driveshafts for the circlip joints. Keep in mind that these joints are a little weaker as they are drilled through the centers to allow grease to pass through, where as the original u-joints are solid metal.
I wish I could remember which Toyota joints were the same, but if you pop one out and take it to a local parts store, I'm sure they can measure it and get you the right one. I personally only use Spicer joints as they have just been more reliable with bigger horsepower applications. Good luck, Leroy
 
A driveshaft shop would probably know better, since they have to deal with them all the time. Are there any identifiable markings or the like on them to tell you where or what they are?
 
U-joints

Hi John;
I recently fount my u-joints at Machine Services in Green Bay Wi.
You have to make sure you know the mm of the cap and also the mm of the length from end to end. They have both inner clip and outer and they do have grease fitting. They cost me $113.70 including shipping for both.
Try them @ 920-339-3000.Im sure they can help you.
Good Luck
Koopman
 
The local NAPA store got me the U-joints today. Number 391 Precision brand (owned by Federal Mogul Co.) made in the USA and with grease fittings !! They were used in seventies Datsun 240 Z & 260 Z cars. $43.98 for the pair with a mechanics discount. ~ John Buchtenkirch

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staked u-joints

OEM u-joints are staked into the driveshaft ends, that means that for most folks they are not repair friendly. Re-staking them can be done, but recentering them in the driveshaft is almost physically impossible without some very expensive equipment, thus several driveshaft shops machine the driveshaft end so that locking clips can be used and then the average mechanic can change the without worring about centering or balance. John, Glad you got the one's you needed, sorry about the confusion of them possibly being for a Toyota instead of a Datsun. I machined a driveshaft for a 2002 years ago and used some Japanese joints but I just couldn't remember which one's I ended up using.
 
John Buchtenkirch said:
The local NAPA store got me the U-joints today. Number 391 Precision brand (owned by Federal Mogul Co.) made in the USA and with grease fittings !! They were used in seventies Datsun 240 Z & 260 Z cars. $43.98 for the pair with a mechanics discount. ~ John Buchtenkirch

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Datsun u-joints?Yeah!These were also used in my other auto obsession, late 60's Datsun Roadsters!Wish there was more parts interchangeability, my pile of crap might be smaller...nah.
 
BarryG said:
why not go OEM from BMW?

http://www.bmwmobiletradition-onlin...el=3442&mospid=47808&btnr=26_0160&hg=26&fg=10
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Barry, I got a few nasty surprises when doing this 5 speed swap but this was the only good one. A driveshaft already machined to take replaceable and greaseable U-joints that were made by Federal-Mogul and even more surprising made in the USA --- I can only consider that a home run. It may not be quite as strong as the stock BMW driveshaft with un-serviceable joints but my days of doing burn outs and power shifting are far behind me so I can live with that. It seems kind of funny that BMW gives you a tool kit in the car but a driveshaft that is not serviceable. It makes me think that the tool kit was in BMW staff eyes only a marketing tool. ~ John Buchtenkirch
 
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