CV Axle Confusion

[Old-Skool-Kid]

Someone has swapped I believe a later model (not sure on year) rear into my car and it has disc brakes and an LSD. I know the drivers outer cv joint is badly worn because it makes a LOUD cluncking noise and the boot is split. I want to just replace both halfshafts, as the other is on its way out. Now my question is are all the years interchanceable? I dont want to get axles for an 85 and it not be right. From what I read, early models are a little different, and late model halfshafts wont fit the early but what about the other way around? The car doesnt have ABS, but IIRCC the axles have an ABS sensor. I can take pics tomorrow morning if needed. Thanks guys!

[Killacortes]

So your car is an 85? It might help to mention what kind of car you have.

[MR 325]

^ It's in his sig.

Many will tell you that the 84-85 325 axles are different but I have not found this to be the case and I've dealt with a LOT of these cars. The only difference would be the ABS ring but you CAN run an ABS axle on a non ABS rear end.

Basically just find a good pair of used 325 axles from any year and toss them in.

[jeffnhiscars]

There's a posting I saw recently that shows the early non ABS half shaft and a later ABS shaft with the ring removed and they ARE different. Im not too sure if the 85 318i came with non ABS discs (I know the early eta's did), so you likiely have later style ABS capable trailing arms in a car with no ABS. If thats the case, any half shaft should work, but IF you have the non ABS eta disc brake trailing arms Im fairly certain an ABS axle will not fit even if you remove the ring.