Drive shaft spline length

[Greaser2]

Does anyone have or can measure the length of 5-speed drive shaft spline length? And is there a recommended distance of spline engagement (how far should the splines should be inserted). Mines' installed and being lazy about pulling it out to measure which is what I should have done prior.

[jhayden]

The full length of the splines (including taper) is about 13 cm. With the protective rubber sleeve installed, you should see about 10 mm between the cover tip and the inner limit of travel (fourth photo). The third photo shows the approximate normal riding position with and without the sleeve.

Above all, it is imperative that the FIVE "0" marks on the assembly be collinear (second photo) to prevent vibration from its being out of phase. When looking for the marks, a wire brush is essential: as the first photo shows, it is very common for the marks to be in slightly different locations on the components.

IMHO, a trip to the local drive shaft shop is still well worth the money.

Jon

[Gregs672000]

I've never had nor previously seen the rubber sleeve. Are they available and if so "worth" it?

[ADR]

It's been said before, and deserves to be said again. What an amazing community of knowledgeable and helpful Roadster-heads.

Great post Jon / jhayden!

[Greaser2]

I don't have the sleeve either, but I have 5 cm of splines exposed so that leaves 8cm engaged. I had the drive shaft lengthened to fit in my 411 SSS wagon.

[drieseck]

I agree with ADR, nice work Jon for posting the description and photos.

Wondering Jon, if your advice to "visit the drive-shaft shop" is to have the assembly checked and/or rebalanced? I have my "O's in place but they came from different sources. Thanks Dave

[23yrRebuild]

+1 for rebalancing the driveshaft. I had that done when I balanced my stoker innards. It so runs smooooth !

[jhayden]

I've never had nor previously seen the rubber sleeve. Are they available and if so "worth" it?

Running w/o it shouldn't cause any issues, Greg -- you may be in the majority of SR/SRL owners! Besides, the circular nut with the felt-like washer (photo) keeps most of the grit out of the spline channels. With periodic cleaning and lubing the sleeve is likely redundant.

Wondering Jon, if your advice to "visit the drive-shaft shop" is to have the assembly checked and/or rebalanced? I have my "O's in place but they came from different sources. Thanks Dave

As Mike mentions, the results from rebalancing with today's technology may pleasantly surprise you. Let us know!

Thank you to all for the kind comments, but please feel free to suggest revisions/corrections.

Jon

[Gregs672000]

Hmm, a balance sounds interesting...

[davdav2000]

Me and a friend (Pat Collings) both went to to have our driveshafts balanced in Seattle at probably the best local shop, Drivelines Northwest. The shop told us that both of our drivelines had too much slop in the splines between the shaft and the yoke and therefore, could not be balanced. We brought in multiple spare yokes, but all failed the shop's acceptance. So, we had custom drivelines made, using drivelines from a "Legends" race car. They seem to be working well.

[jhayden]

Hmm, a balance sounds interesting...

Probably a good idea to do that prior to putting it on the Dyno as you are planning. As David mentions, the shop can also detect slop that might otherwise seem acceptable.

Jon