Driveshaft Alignment

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Scott Buchanan - 04 Mar 2008 11:54 GMT

I'll be picking up the driveshaft for the 230CE 4-speed to 5-speed
conversion today. Since I had to fabricate the transmission mount cross
member I'll probably have to shim to get the proper driveshaft alignment.
The trouble is I don't know where to start on this. Any ideas?

Thanks, Scott

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Roger - 04 Mar 2008 18:26 GMT

> I'll be picking up the driveshaft for the 230CE 4-speed to 5-speed
> conversion today. Since I had to fabricate the transmission mount cross
> member I'll probably have to shim to get the proper driveshaft alignment.
> The trouble is I don't know where to start on this. Any ideas?
>
> Thanks, Scott

The universal joints at each end of the driveshaft should cope with a few mm
of misalignment - is that what you meant?

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Scott Buchanan - 05 Mar 2008 12:04 GMT

There is only one universal joint. It is near the center where the two
pieces that make up the driveshaft are connected with a spine. The two ends
that connect to the transmission and differential with a rubber flex disk.

> > I'll be picking up the driveshaft for the 230CE 4-speed to 5-speed
> > conversion today. Since I had to fabricate the transmission mount cross
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> The universal joints at each end of the driveshaft should cope with a few mm
> of misalignment - is that what you meant?

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Tiger - 06 Mar 2008 18:35 GMT

The engine should guide your tranny the proper position... then you eyeball
it from the tail end of the tranny to the rear end...

Now, your driveshaft should be stock from rear end to the center support and
from the center to the tranny is shortened, so there should be no issue on
alignment.

Look at the relation of the tranny end to the rear end... then eyeball it to
the center driveshaft support and that should be it.

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Roger - 06 Mar 2008 20:24 GMT

> There is only one universal joint. It is near the center where the two
> pieces that make up the driveshaft are connected with a spine. The two
> ends
> that connect to the transmission and differential with a rubber flex disk.

Hmmm, thats 'cos the designer built in the alignment of the diff to the
gearbox, which is now rooted because of the change in gearbox and mountings.
You might need to add uni joints at each end of the drive shaft to achieve
alignment. Have a look at what some 4x4s have fitted when the owners do
extreme suspension lifts or use different axles.

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