What Driveshaft to order. 89' 325i with 87' 325e trans

[Mr. EG]

I am about to order a new driveshaft for my 89' 325i. I could not find the right driveshaft because I did not know what year my trans was from. I recently called the dealer with the VIN on the trams and they told me it was from a 325e in 1987. Would this mean I need an 87' 325e shaft or one from my chassis. I know the lengths are different.

The front half if my driveshaft measures 27.2 inches

[reelizmpro]

Lengths are different? that's news to me since e/i M20's are both the same and the driveshaft is splined (adjustable) and the mount for the center support is slotted. If your trans is from a late ETA, it could have the large output flange. If it does, then you need the large flanged driveshaft and Guibo. All depends on your output flange at this point. Post pics if you're not sure what you have.

[jlevie]

The length of all E30 drive shafts for a Getrag 260 (manual) transmission are the same. But, there are two sizes for the transmission output flange. I think that an 87 325e transmission would take the same drive shaft as an 87 or later 325i/is.

[Mr. EG]

The dealership told me the part number was even different from an 87'i to an 87'e. I'm going to go home and post pictures.

[MR 325]

Forget what the dealer says. You know to know if your transmission has the large or small output flange. That's all. Which one each car got pretty much varies.

[E30Gus]

If you have a new drive shaft for the early model/large flange and you need to buy another transmission, can you swap the output flange on the tranny so that the DS will work with a late model tranny? I'm asking because it is inevitable that I will have to buy another tranny in the future. This one is holding strong with over 350k but...

[reelizmpro]

Yes you can swap the output flanges. They look just like this...

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q104/fartingfool/325e/Output-Flanges.jpg

[Mr. EG]

Here is what I have.

[Mr. EG]

To me it looks like the Getrag 260, which means I need what driveshaft? I am ordering a new one.

[reelizmpro]

Ignore the text in that picture. The Getrag 260 uses both a small and large flange like in the pics. Yours uses a big flange driveshaft. I've found late ETA's, M3's and apparently late 325iC's have the big flanges.

[Mr. EG]

Ok now I am more confused. I have to call the driveshaft shop to order this part. What chassis should I give them to work off of?

[Mr. EG]

I know my rear U-Joint is poop (diff side), but my front half seems to be a much better. For a quick fix I may pick a rear section up locally for just the rear half and keep the front. It seems to me that the rear sections are all the same?

[reelizmpro]

Have it rebuilt and balanced locally and throw it back in. Pulling a used rear section and piecing a shaft together will work but who knows how long and it won't be balanced.

[Mr. EG]

No shop in my area can rebuild it. I had 6 different places tell me no. I either need to buy a whole new shaft or get just the rear section.

[davem]

There's a few websites out there where you can get a rebuilt unit - cheaper than a brand new one.