What driveshaft w/ ZF 5speed?

[grib]

Grib: you know the drive shafts have an adjustable length right?
My late m3 driveshaft fits nicely, I installed it with the center nut loose, and tightened it when all other connections are tight to get the right length of the assembly.

Yes. The problem I had was that it would only get so short, then the splines are all the way together.

Generally I bolt up the diff side first, then the guibo side, then the CSB - pushing it just a hair (half inch or so) forward.

[DaN]

Grib: you know the drive shafts have an adjustable length right?
My late m3 driveshaft fits nicely, I installed it with the center nut loose, and tightened it when all other connections are tight to get the right length of the assembly.

[bimerok]

the one i got off.. well it was no longer a bearing when i got it off.

is there a way to do it gently?

You don't. Just get a new one.

[grib]

I have never been able to get a CSB off without destroying it.

Me neither - I think you really need to have the right tools, or patience, or both for this job.

I tried the E36 328/M3 drive shaft, and wasn't happy with the way it fit. It seems like it is just a hair (half an inch or so) too long so it had to sit at a bit of an angle. It worked, but there was just a bit of a kink in it.

I bought a rebuild E30 M3 drive shaft and it fits much better. It's a hair too short, but that can easily be accommodated by exposing the splines just a bit.

Just my $.02, I wouldn't be surprised if there was some variance in where everyone's setup sits after 20 years...

[87-325ic]

the one i got off.. well it was no longer a bearing when i got it off.

is there a way to do it gently?

[matt]

I have never been able to get a CSB off without destroying it.

[DaN]

I understand its a cheap part, but it was already installed on the d/s and it was easier and faster to modify it. It took like 15 min. As opposed to trying to remove the csb from both d/s without ruining them, and reinstalling backwards.

[bimerok]

wow... cut and weld the item that can be bought for $35...

[DaN]

e36 csb modification

Here are pics of what I did to the e36 csb, to get it to work in the e30.
It's physically too wide to fit in the tunnel, but if you cut the supports, bend them in, and reweld them, then it fits.
I didn't take a "before" pic.
This is after cutting, bending in, and welding:

This is after cutting off the original slotted holes, do it on both sides.

This is almost the final piece, I centered the csb over the holes, and drilled new ones. The final holes are a bit bigger to allow for some adjustment.


Here are a few of the motor going in.


The popular behind the hood shot mpowa, dont mind the harness chillin there.

[mcclaskz]

Dan, DO IT! I would appreciate it if you could post in this thread. Got any pics of your car too?

[DaN]

I used a later e36 m3 driveshaft with the 4 bolt flange at the rear. I was going to swap the center bearing off my e30 d/s but its a bitch to do with no puller and without ruining it. So i modified the e36 CSB to work on the e30, it was pretty easy, I could post pics if anyone wants them. I cut and welded the supports, trimmed the ends, and drilled new holes. It works fine for me with no vibration.

[mcclaskz]

Thanks for the help. I just bought a 3.25 lsd and am ready to swap!

[matt]

Looks like that'll work fine.

[mcclaskz]

Just to beat a dead horse, why won't my 95 M3 driveshaft work? Is this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-D...QQcmdZViewItem okay for my swap? Thanks.

[matt]

You've got it. Any e36 driveshaft with the right front flange and the right rear flange will fit.

I am using an e36 325is DS with my 250 and I know some people who have used the 328i driveshaft with ZF transmissions.