Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: ZF front drive shaft on Getrag rear?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    South San Fancisco, CA
    Posts
    112
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 323is

    ZF front drive shaft on Getrag rear?

    As some of you might be aware from reading my other thread, I'm trying to get together the parts for a ZF tranny swap, and am now only missing a drive shaft and flex disc/plate. But a thought occurred to me... I recently changed my driveshaft, and remembered that the front section of the shaft that connects to the tranny slides right off the splined end of the rear shaft. So can I just get a front shaft from a ZF car (96-98 328/M3), and use that with the existing rear shaft? I know the ZF is longer... but I would imagine that slight difference would be taken up in the front shaft. I would think the back half with the carrier bearing and u-joint should be the same. Can anyone confirm or refute this?
    Last edited by navvid; 04-22-2015 at 08:27 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    25,402
    My Cars
    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    I believe they are they same, but they are balanced as a unit. You should see two white dots on the front of the rear half and rear of the front half. These match up for balance. Also the rear u joints wear over time and are not easily replaced. I would salvage the entire newer shaft if possible.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    South San Fancisco, CA
    Posts
    112
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 323is
    Thanks Phonsalb. Can anyone confirm this? I'd like to know for sure, since I just replaced the rear shaft and it would save me a lot if time and energy if I can use what I have and just replace the front shaft.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    South San Fancisco, CA
    Posts
    112
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 323is
    I have confirmed that the front shafts are interchangeable, and that the difference is made up in that section, which is slightly shorter on a ZF shaft. The only question is what about balance? I am guessing they are balanced as a mated pair, so lining up the white dots won't be right because the ends are from different shafts which were not balanced as a pair. Is there a low tech, quick and dirty method to check the balance of a two piece shaft?

    For that matter, there is at least one guy on this forum who says he has done drivelines more times than he can count, and said he's never once paid any attention to the alignment of the splines, and has never once had an issue. No doubt it is better to balance them, but is there a happy medium between just sticking it back on there wily nilly, and paying $300.00 to have it remanufactured? I found one place that will do a balance only for $125.00, but is it worth the time, effort and expenditure?
    Last edited by navvid; 04-25-2015 at 11:47 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    South San Fancisco, CA
    Posts
    112
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 323is
    Except for the drive shaft, which I am still missing, I finished swapping to the ZF a couple of weeks ago, and the car has been sitting since. As luck would have it, one of my parts guys has just the front halfshaft from an M3. He sold the back half, and I'm going to go try to negotiate a bargain for what I need from him tomorrow. I just hope he can find me a flex adapter ("guibo"), as the one I have is cracking. I will find out very soon if balance is going to be an issue...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    25,402
    My Cars
    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    M3 guibo is thicker than 328 guibo but both work with the ZF trans and 328/M3 driveshaft. Getrag guibo does not work since it has different bolt spacing.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    South San Fancisco, CA
    Posts
    112
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 323is
    Broke down and dropped $450.00 on a remanufactured shaft and flex disc from Drive shaft specialist of Texas. Car has been sitting too long. Have to get it rolling again.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •