Having a bear of a time getting a driveshaft from a manual w204 so I'm contemplating other options for the E550 manual swap.
I have a driveshaft from a w212 sedan that is overall the right length I need, but the carrier bearing would be mounted 3 inches further forward than the stock E550 or W204 driveshaft. I've seen kits to relocate carrier bearings for offroaders but does anyone have any experience with this? It doesn't seem like a very good idea to me.
Other option is to take my factory driveshaft and lengthen it the 4 inches I need to account for the difference in transmission length and then send it out for balancing. Nobody local to me does this so I'll need to figure that part out but it seems like lengthening is a pretty common and safe practice.
Thoughts? Advice? Anyone have a manual w204 in a junkyard near them?
I would extend the current carrier bearing mounts with some 1/4 angle or bar to hold the W212 driveshaft and move on.
In reply to Toyman! :
That's basically what the kits I've seen are. I'll probably end up doing this, just wanted to solicit some opinions first
I used www.driveshaftshop.com years ago for a swap on my E30.
Just ensure your measurements are spot on before having one made.
STM317
PowerDork
12/20/22 11:01 a.m.
Lengthening the driveshaft seems like it would simplify the operation and reduce potential failure points.
In reply to z31maniac :
Eh I'd rather wait to find a w204 one and spend $200 than spend $2000 for one from them.
I just had a new driveshaft made for the Fossil and it was 1200 Canadian. I have also had a couple race car drive shafts made and they were 300-500. If you have the old one and it just needs a length adjustment its a matter of cutting one end off and rewelding it and balancing, or replacing the tube and rebalancing. Only a couple hours work either way. If you are handy with a MIG you can weld it yourself and just have it balanced.
As long as you're not stretching out the center slip splines, either one will work.
