Driveshaft rebuild

[Rustam]

I developed a procedure for rebuilding the driveshaft that uses retaining clips to secure the u-joint. A trench is accurately cut in correct position as guided by the placement of the original u-joint cups. The driveshaft has seen a few miles now, no vibration has been observed, having gone up to ~80mph...

[BigKriss]

good work mate

[Rustam]

good work mate

Thanks

[Kibokojoe]

If this is successful ....you are the man.

[Kibokojoe]

Who makes the replacement bearings? Need more pics please

[Rustam]

Who makes the replacement bearings? Need more pics please

By "replacement bearings" do you mean "replacement u-joint"? Replacement u-joint in this case is made by Meyle, and GMB two manufacturers of which I know. I ordered Meyle u-joint from Autohausaz.com. NAPA automotive sells one that seems to fit exactly: .945" cup diameter 2.49" span. I can try to confirm this later.
On the number of pictures - the webspace is limited, hence provided is the mere minimal to understand what is done... What type of pictures specifically would you like to see? Further on, pictures of the u-joint shall be added.

[Rustam]

well, what more pics do you need?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

well, what more pics do you need?

looks good, how about the finalized cutting and the reassembled shaft?

[genphreak]

Yep, that's a useful write up. Best put it on bmwe34.net too?

[Kibokojoe]

Where you successful with this replacement?

[Rustam]

Where you successful with this replacement?
the car has been driven with the replacement, and up to ~80mph, as mentioned in the initial posting. the procedure was done some 6 months ago.

[Rustam]

Yep, that's a useful write up. Best put it on bmwe34.net too?

don't want to bother with that stuff... bothered enough already, the word is out at least

[Kibokojoe]

Very nice. I have had mine up to 130 mph (on a track ;)) a couple of years back but now with the economy and the cops writing tickets for anything over the speed limit I have backed down :) A co-worker was stopped in Alabama last week for 76 in a 70 zone the cop told him the ticket would be $344 but luckily for him he only got a warning.

[Kibokojoe]

Driveshaft still holding up?

[Kibokojoe]

Looks like this is only for the automatic transmission
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=ynnh3gqkapev0c45wy1bha55&makeid=800003@BMW&modelid=1012374@535I&year=1989&cid=17@Drivetrain%20Parts&gid=2392@Universal%20Joint

[Kibokojoe]

Going to try this looks like the universal joint is a Precision U-Joint 413. About $20 USD. Has a 2.49 length and a 0.945 (24mm) diameter. Wish I had a plasma cutter, should would make this a lot easier.

[Rustam]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4853248184_616d6fe995_b.jpg

[BigKriss]

did anyone save this page that Rastam did, I'm trying to have a closer look at the pictures but I cant access the his website.

[ahlem]

Good evening,
I wanted to look at the link but got an error message. Is this still out there?

[Rustam]

Good evening,
I wanted to look at the link but got an error message. Is this still out there?

Hello. The link does not work, since I had changed the internet provider. But you can ask me questions here, or better, catch up with me on Facebook using my email - rakhmedov@yahoo.com. My profile there has all the images from the website, including the driveshaft work.

Thank you.

[93 525 Paul]

That site is locked and I can't view the pics. Why not put them on Photobucket? Huge storage and it's free, uploads are easy, Image links are right there and easily copied so your post can have the pics right in it.

[Rustam]

That site is locked and I can't view the pics. Why not put them on Photobucket? Huge storage and it's free, uploads are easy, Image links are right there and easily copied so your post can have the pics right in it.

Paul, I do not care for setting up a new account at another website, like photobucket considering the fact that I am not a frequent picture shooter. But here is a paste of my earlier invitation for user "ahlem" into facebook connection to my profile, which has all the needed pictures:

Hello. The link does not work, since I had changed the internet provider. But you can ask me questions here, or better, catch up with me on Facebook using my email - rakhmedov@yahoo.com. My profile there has all the images from the website, including the driveshaft work.

Thank you.

[Rustam]

Since the website has been locked, I will post the images here. I hope you will find them helpful. My driveshaft after this rebuild is still in the car, and still works fine. A person who did not know about this work would not guess that this work was done. I drive on the street and on the highway. It has been 3 years now.

tools:

7586

7578

7579

7580

7581

7582

7583

7584

7577

[ahlem]

I looked at the facebook photos. Thanks. When you cut the groove, did you just cut into the staked places as you went round and round? Was it sort of trial and error on how deep to make the cut for the clip?

[Rustam]

ok

[myles]

Nice work Rustam and very well described.

[Rustam]

Thanks Myles

[BigKriss]

The "retaining clips" you used aka the circlips. Did you cut a goove in the shaft so they would stay there?

[Rustam]

The "retaining clips" you used aka the circlips. Did you cut a goove in the shaft so they would stay there?
Yes, the circlips. I cut grooves in both yokes - on the shaft and on the one attaching to transmission.

[BigKriss]

forgive my ignorance, how did you initally remove the u-joints? Did you drill them out going from a smaller to a larger drill bit, or use the dremel to do this or what?

[Rustam]

The ujoint was ground out.