replacing a 91 318is u joint

[1988montecarloss]

so my 91 318is needs a u joint anyway, ive read that theyre not replaceable but then i found some for sale that supposedly could be used with the original driveshaft if they were machined for it, if this is true what u joint should i be looking for? and what exactly has to be done to make it work? and will any machine shop or driveshaft shop be able to do this? thanks for your replies, your help is greatly appreciated

[Vivek]

Honestly your best bet is gonna be to find a driveshaft in good condition and swap it. If you get it rebuilt, go to a place that'll rebuild it themselves and warranty it. I wouldn't get X joints and have Y shop put it on because if anything fails, no one's at fault.

[jrobie79]

i think the ones that have replaceable u joints are for iX driveshafts...IIRC

[Stanley Rockafella]

You DS has joints that are "staked" in place. Meaning that to get the DS to balance again with new joints, you will need to get the speed balanced on a machine.

Trust me, it's far easier to just trust you DS to a shop that deals in rebuilding them or purchasing a rebuilt one that has joints that are replaceable (one that's been previously rebuilt) OR buy a core and have it rebuilt so yoru car has no downtime.

In all 11 years I've been with e30's these are your only really feasible options

[1988montecarloss]

You DS has joints that are "staked" in place. Meaning that to get the DS to balance again with new joints, you will need to get the speed balanced on a machine.

Trust me, it's far easier to just trust you DS to a shop that deals in rebuilding them or purchasing a rebuilt one that has joints that are replaceable (one that's been previously rebuilt) OR buy a core and have it rebuilt so yoru car has no downtime.

In all 11 years I've been with e30's these are your only really feasible options

damn, could any driveshaft shop do it? there is a local place that ive had shorten a driveshaft for an old chevy pickup before but i dont know if theyd have the right equipment for anything like this and could they rebuild the bad u joint thats in the shaft or do i have to buy a brand new one? and if i have to buy one is there one you recommend i really dont want to have to do this again haha

[jlevie]

damn, could any driveshaft shop do it? there is a local place that ive had shorten a driveshaft for an old chevy pickup before but i dont know if theyd have the right equipment for anything like this and could they rebuild the bad u joint thats in the shaft or do i have to buy a brand new one? and if i have to buy one is there one you recommend i really dont want to have to do this again haha

The only way to find out is to ask the shop. I use the rebuilds from Drive Line Services.

[MDVDuber]

Just out of curiosity what does a rebuilt driveshaft cost - shipping included. Thanks.

[1988montecarloss]

/thread

[Supershafts]

probably around/up to 450, see your local driveline shop, if they can balance the shaft they can change the joints.

In order to change the joints they need to be removed, the stakes cut, find the joint with the same dimensions (even bmw sells them) then you need to put the joints in the shaft and then center the joint to the shaft, for this you need fixtures or make them and use a lathe or balancing machine to center the joints to the shaft.

When the joints are set in the shaft and you are at less than .005 you then need to put atleast 2 good tacs on each joints yoke to keep them in place and locked in so they don't come out, but they need a certain amount of pressure on them also so they can move without being bound up

[Keith M]

Just purchased one from Driveline Services of Portland for $373 plus a $75 core charge. A new csb is included.