Custom output shafts

[buildit]

Bump..
I'm still searching the world over for either a complete output shaft or the CV Joints.
I have gained a lot of information for the LK=102mm CV Joints and the specifications for the output shaft from BMW Group-Classic.
However, no luck finding new or used parts available to purchase.

Im also still working on this...

Have you been able to verify if the outer cv joints are the same for all versions?
The wheel carrier is the same for all versions https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...335&series=E31 so abs ring should at least be in the same position.

[m6bigdog]

Unfortunately the Wheel carrier is common but that is where it ends for the drive line.
Both the inner (120mm) and outer (108mm) CV Joints diameters are larger than the 018 & 148 output shafts.
Still unable to locate any CV Joints that are the dimensionally equivalent.
I get a sense that BMW had the supplier (LOBRO) make the LK=102mm CV-Joint and (575mm diff flange to carrier bearing) output shafts to order and since the CV Joints were a special BMW application part, the NLA is total & world wide.
From what I can see the E38-M73, E39-M5, E60-M5 & E64-M6 also use the LK-102mm inner CV-Joint, however the outer CV-Joint is without the ABS ring.
The E38-M73 output shaft is very close to the same overall length.

Im also still working on this...

Have you been able to verify if the outer cv joints are the same for all versions?
The wheel carrier is the same for all versions https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...335&series=E31 so abs ring should at least be in the same position.

[buildit]

This aftermarket one is complete throw away, it is too short... tried it myself.

Were the cv joints correct dimensions?

[m6bigdog]

Were the cv joints correct dimensions?

They are the LK=94mm CV-Joints with 10mm bolts, so even if you want to swap CV-Joints you need the 018 or 148 output shafts and Diff Flanges that match.

[buildit]

That I am aware the are 3 output Shafts made for the E31 production versions:
33-21-1-226-933 LK=102MM/M12/D=33MM - Euro Manual M70-2.93:1 final drive/S70/M73-Auto
33-21-1-227-018 LK=94MM/M10/D=27MM - Euro-US M60/M62/M70-Auto
33-21-1-227-148 LK=94MM/M10/D=32MM - Euro-US Manual M60/M62/M70-2.65:1

Were they all the same length?

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[m6bigdog]

I have not looked at the drawings for all the output shafts.
But, since all the surrounding parts are the same except the LK=94mm diff flange.
And, if you install a LK=94mm output shaft in a E31 with an LK=102mm output shaft you will be installing the LK=94mm diff flange so it doesn't matter if there is a slight variation in the output shaft length for all E31 models.

Were they all the same length?

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[buildit]

I was thinking if there were differences in length between the different versions.

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[m6bigdog]

That was my answer.
That is: You must install the corresponding Drive Flange part for the installed Output Shaft LK so it doesn't matter if they are all the exact same length!!

I was thinking if there were differences in length between the different versions.

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[buildit]

Just spoke to a shop who is able to make a pair for 3000 Euro.

They come highly recommended och seem very competent.

[m6bigdog]

Just spoke to a shop who is able to make a pair for 3000 Euro.

They come highly recommended och seem very competent.

Where are they getting the replacement CV-Joints?
As I can tell, there are none available. GKN/Lobro or Spidan.
The LK=94/M10 and LK=100/M12 are available CV-Joints used on BMW's
See attached Catalog Pages 8-9 and none are LK=102mm/M12, 120mm OD, 30 tooth Spline Axle

The OE Output Shaft is LOBRO part numbers
Output Shaft Assembly: 0 153 18 16 087 007
Inner CV Joint: 7 153 18 01 87 004
Outer CV Joint: 2 153 18 47 00 003

My investigations have confirmed that the E38-750-M73 output shaft LK=102mm/M12 (7-508-135) is the exact same length as the E31 (1-226-933).
The only difference is the outer CV-Joint does not have the ABS ring, but that could be solved by machining a part to hold the 94mm/48 tooth ABS ring.
Also, unfortunately this output shaft is NLA from BMW as OE no longer supplies the CV-Joints!!
However, there are more option than just the E31 to salvage a used LK=102mm Inner CV-Joint and repair a output shaft if that is all you need.
Also, a good low-mileage E38-M73 output shaft is another great option.

[buildit]

Where are they getting the replacement CV-Joints?

Inner CV joints were available but the outer would have to be manufactured. Functionally identical but possibly not visually.

[buildit]

Also, a good low-mileage E38-M73 output shaft is another great option.

The E38 33207508135 outer cv has a gentler angle to it.
If you find a used one I would be very interested to hear how it fits.

shaft.png

[m6bigdog]

The E38 33207508135 outer cv has a gentler angle to it.
If you find a used one I would be very interested to hear how it fits.

shaft.png

If they have a source for the inner CV-Joint please post the contact information to let the E31 community know the details, as I have yet to find a single source for the inner; LK-102mm/M12/30 spline, CV-Joint... anywhere (World Wide).
Hopefully next week, I will have a better technical drawing of the 7-508-135 output shaft and then I will have the dimensions of the outer CV-Joint so I can compare it to the 1-226-933.
I located a couple of E38-M73 output shafts and I was thinking about getting them, we shall see.