Half-shafts: New vs. Rebuild? Sources? Upgrades?

[Emre]

Hi, guys.

Looks like I'll need some new half-shafts for my E30 track car. It's a 1991 318is with the medium-case 4.10:1 LSD from an E30 M3. There seems to be excessive play in both c.v. joints, which have started to clatter and leak.

So, what are you guys doing for half-shafts? Any sources for rebuilds? Any reason to buy new vs. rebuilt? As long as I'm replacing them, are there any upgrades? Like maybe E34 parts or something.

This is my first time replacing half-shafts, and I would welcome any advice/input.

Thanks!

[whiltebeitel]

The M-coupe halfshafts are supposedly more stout. I got a halfshaft from Lemforder IIRC, autozone, etc do make replacements, but they are generally considered crap.

[Jparkr]

Join your local BMWCCA chapter and post in the for sale section, I was able to find used half shafts in good shape for $15 each.

[Sean]

I got one sitting at home, just planned on keeping it until one of mine crapped out. I'd say get a used one, they last such a long time anyway.

[Emre]

The M-coupe halfshafts are supposedly more stout.

That sounds interesting. I'll have to look into that.

Join your local BMWCCA chapter and post in the for sale section, I was able to find used half shafts in good shape for $15 each.

I've been a CCA member for maybe 15 years now (and I'm the Chief Instructor of my chapter of the BMWCC). So, I'm already pretty plugged-in to that community.

But I'm just not crazy about the idea of used parts on a track car. With the suspension I'm running, the shortened gearing, and r-compound tires, the driveshafts take a beating. And I've seen what can happen when a driveshaft suddenly falls apart under load on the track. Buddy of mine balled up his M-Coupe at LRP that way.

I got one sitting at home, just planned on keeping it until one of mine crapped out. I'd say get a used one, they last such a long time anyway.

I would consider a rebuild (assuming there's a reputable source for good rebuilds). Otherwise, I'll probably stick with new.

[Stu]

Emre, I'd suggest just getting a known good set from another car. I don't think an M42 car needs anything stronger. My S50 318is ran 360,000 miles with the original half-shafts, and only developed problems just before I pulled the car off the road.

[Lance Racing]

I'm part of the E30 PRO3 racing community here in the Northwest, and we just keep used half shafts on the shelf from parted out cars and slap them in when the one's in the car start to have play and look suspect.

If one has an extreme failure on the track, the car owner was probably not inspecting that item as part of their routine safety inspections.

[NJGreenBudd]

Whats wrong with rebuilt axles from Advance/NAPA/Carquest? At $65 for new parts I find it hard to beat, $130 for both half shafts seems like a good deal to me..... No? I mean I am budget minded but compared to $270 new each rebuilt seems to be the way to go.

[guibo09]

get a pair of good used halfshafts that have no loose, and rebuild them yourself. get 4 new boots + cv grease and get to it. they will last forever if you replace the grease regularly enough. once they are loose though, i dont think a simple regrease will do the trick.

and ive heard too many horror stories about rebuilds from mass suppliers (bad splines, cheaper joints/boots, not properly assembled, etc). if you dont want to rebuild yourself, again, get a nice pair of used and have them rebuilt by a pro.

[Dougy Fresh]

Imo the best option is to rebuild them using oem bmw boot kits. You can restore your shafts to like new condition for around the cost of a used one or aftermarket axle. If time is no factor, than this is by far the best thing to do.

Since yours are making noise, it means there could be some metal to metal contact, and there may be sheared metal bits in the cv joint. Upon removal of the cv joint inspect the bearings, if they are damaged then you cant use that axle.

If you are in a bind for time, such as in the middle of a track event, swapping a known good used axle is the way to go.

I have heard stories of people buying aftermarket axles and having the aluminum plates just fall off during installation.

I rebuilt mine on my m3 about a year ago. I am confident that they will last another 10 years, because I know how well they are assembled.

[Emre]

Thanks very much for the insight, guys.

My problem is that I've got a clunking/clanging sound coming from the rear. I thought for sure it was coming from my new rear diff (a fresh rebuild by Dan at diffsonline). But Dan is convinced the sound is coming from the half-shafts. My mechanic did tell me that there seems to be some play in both half-shafts, with one worse than the other. Dan says if a c.v. joint is worn to the point where it's loose and noisy, it can't be rebuilt and must be replaced.

That's why I'm just trying to figure out what my options are. New OEM half-shaft are over $800 each at the dealer. Rebuilt OEM parts are $500 each from BavAuto. I'd hate to drop $1000 in parts just to find out that it wasn't the real problem.

[guibo09]

Thanks very much for the insight, guys.

My problem is that I've got a clunking/clanging sound coming from the rear. I thought for sure it was coming from my new rear diff (a fresh rebuild by Dan at diffsonline). But Dan is convinced the sound is coming from the half-shafts. My mechanic did tell me that there seems to be some play in both half-shafts, with one worse than the other. Dan says if a c.v. joint is worn to the point where it's loose and noisy, it can't be rebuilt and must be replaced.

That's why I'm just trying to figure out what my options are. New OEM half-shaft are over $800 each at the dealer. Rebuilt OEM parts are $500 each from BavAuto. I'd hate to drop $1000 in parts just to find out that it wasn't the real problem.

once again, good conditioned used parts

[Sean]

Thanks very much for the insight, guys.

My problem is that I've got a clunking/clanging sound coming from the rear. I thought for sure it was coming from my new rear diff (a fresh rebuild by Dan at diffsonline). But Dan is convinced the sound is coming from the half-shafts. My mechanic did tell me that there seems to be some play in both half-shafts, with one worse than the other. Dan says if a c.v. joint is worn to the point where it's loose and noisy, it can't be rebuilt and must be replaced.

That's why I'm just trying to figure out what my options are. New OEM half-shaft are over $800 each at the dealer. Rebuilt OEM parts are $500 each from BavAuto. I'd hate to drop $1000 in parts just to find out that it wasn't the real problem.

I know where you're coming from not wanting them to fail.

But, you can track down old shafts and rebuild them like the guys above suggested. The damn things are so stout. People run stock e30 halfshafts on turboed cars and s50's, and they still last. Pretty impressive if you think about it.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Emre,

We have a set from the mint car we parted. They are in storage, Turk can pick them up if you are interested. They are in excellent shape.

L

[Maddog]

My experience with CV half-shafts "remanufactured" by Cardone has not been good. You need to inspect the splines since my was damaged and would not fit into the hub; even the third exhange was in poor shape. Since I need to have my car back on its feet, my technician spent 3 hours filing the splines only to find out the bolt holes were not aligned. My technician has corresponded with Cardone and has invited them to watch him install one of their half-shafts purchased randomly at a chain, like Kragens or Autozone; to date, they sent a complimentary half-shaft but no acceptance on his offer.

It appears the half-shafts are thrown around damaging the splines; it doesn't take much for it not to fit into the hub.

You can take your chances (I will not anymore) or spend the money knowing it will fit. BTW, Cardone's website indicates they "chase" the threads and splines, but when you inspect it, it is mushroomed and gritty. When I chase my threads, you have fresh marks on areas not to specifications.

Look for a local shop who can rebuild it for you; it may cost more, but at least you can deal with them face to face if they damage your goods.