535iM drive shaft question

[grave77]

I have my drive shaft F-UP ... and I need to replace the whole thing ... since its very rare to find a manual 535i ... especialy in our area ... I wasn't able to get one ... yesterday I saw the shaft for the E39 530, 520i and it looked the same ... on realoem I saw that the length is exactly the same ... and looks by eye sight that the fittings are the same.

I need ur comment guys ... click here (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DD21&mospid=47537&btnr=26_0104&hg=26&fg=05) to look at the OEM E39 link.

I expect that the input flange is different .. but i think that could be managed ...

[cosworth]

Long-shaft or drive shaft ?

If it is long-shaft, u can rebuild it back
If it is the drive-shaft, I think u can salvage from other E34 M20 series ..

Where are u located ? Dubai ?

[grave77]

yes I'm in Dubai, r you? ...

rebuilding in Dubai is crap ! mineis a rebuilt ( shorten from 735iM ) length is 159cm ... exactly the same length of 530i E39 or 520i E39. mine has the final flange nut damage and the welding in the middle is vibrating like hell !! I think that the M20 shaft is thinner and it might be distroed with a 535i manual torque.

[cosworth]

Sorry ... not from Dubai - am from Malaysia.

I did mine couple of months back - rebuild. It started vibrating again recently. Am sending it to a diff shop for another rebuild. It seems that this shop managed to solve my friend's problem - after converting to 4.0 manual (E34). Let see how it goes.

At the same time, I am also getting a spare long-shaft - using parts from diff models. Basically - cut n paste.

BTW, in one the image, your car is running at 230kmh circa 6,500 rpm. That's a bit high .. i think. I never hit the redline eventhough doing 240kmh.
My rear diff is V3.64 and yes it is 3.5 M30 manual '89 model.

[grave77]

well I have 3.91 Diff ratio, thats why it hits the red line. Japanense specs comes with 3.91 ratio. the manual comes with 3.45 ratio. urz is like the European specs automatic it comes with the 3.64 ratio.

can you tell me how much it costs for 100% rebuild for the drivshaft? in MR currency.

[cosworth]

Yup, mine is EURO Specs - SE model.

I've spent MYR700 to fix it, the first time.
I should be able to get it cheaper this time - probably circa MYR 500.

[grave77]

that's the same amount here unless they would do it properly there at ur place !! ... but are you able to get a second hand one, if yes how much would it cost?

[cosworth]

I hv been looking around for ages for it. I guess, the only thing for me now is to fabricate one, myself.

[grave77]

can you tell me how much would it cost to fabricate one? total cost.

[cosworth]

Will do ...

BTW, I hv also come across Manual trans Getrag 260/2 dog-leg for M30. A fren of mine has successfully transplat that into his car - but long-shaft got to be fabricated together with the gearbox mounting ..

[grave77]

you can get the 735i shaft it's longer as it measures 1667mm while 535i has 1 1595mm shaft. I was investigating the 530i auto. 1999 onwards shaft it seems to bolt in perfictly ... I just need to transplant the flange of my old shaft instead. measures 99% the same ... 0.03 mm difference in length. same mounting at the gear box. I just wanted consultation from other dudes in the board ... incase this failed ... I need to look up something else or ask in the classified board.

[GS535i]

Grave77,
This may not work for you, but has helped me. When the drive shaft died on an Audi Quattro, the Dealer wanted ~$2.5K.
I took the shaft to a commercial truck shop, the huge sort of place that can forge and bend springs, do drivelines, .. For ~$250, they machined new 'eyes' and replaced everything with top quality Spicer hardware .... and did a high speed balance on the entire shaft. ( they said that they often do work for the major car dealers ... guess the profit margin for the stealer ;) )
Talk to the guys that fix 18 wheelers ...