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E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 7:50 pm
by Robert Bondi
If one obtains the Getrag 265/6 5-speed from an 85 535i, is that drive shaft compatible
in the E12?
I did some homework in the FAQs. Realoem seems to suggest
the E24 of all years is a safer bet on the 5-speed driveshaft. The knowledge from owners
of multiple BMWs is invaluable on interchange questions.
Re: E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 7:32 pm
by PatinaBeforePolish
An 85 e28 and a 80/81 e12 have different part numbers so likely not a direct fit. Driveshafts can be professionally shortened though. I would think there are plenty of used ones out there. You’ll need the correct bell housing for the analog speedo drive if you don’t already have it.
Re: E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2018 11:40 pm
by Robert Bondi
PatinaBeforePolish wrote: ↑Mon Sep 17, 2018 7:32 pm
An 85 e28 and a 80/81 e12 have different part numbers so likely not a direct fit. Driveshafts can be professionally shortened though. I would think there are plenty of used ones out there. You’ll need the correct bell housing for the analog speedo drive if you don’t already have it.
Yeah, my thoughts too given the part numbers and hence the question. I did this job many years back. AT the time, BMP was happy
to take the old 4-speed drive shaft as a core for a rebuilt 5-speed drive shaft. I don't even think they're in business any more. The e28 drive shaft I guess would be a good core for a similar trade in if it's not swappable.
Re: E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:47 am
by 528i-1981
Hi Robert- I don't know about your driveshaft issue, but I learned while buying strut mounts that BMW sometimes gives different part numbers to virtually identical parts. Jim Stansfield at Mesa Performance hooked me up and might be someone who could help you. Full disclosure, I haven't yet actually installed the E9 strut mounts I bought from Mesa for my E12, but they appear to be identical, have different part numbers and were less than half as expensive.
jim@mesaperformance.com
949 642 8824
Good luck,
Eric
Re: E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:04 pm
by Mike W.
I've only had one dealing with Mesa Performance but it was good, Jim seemed like a good and knowledgeable guy.
I should know the answer but I don't. I do know according to Realoem an 85 G265 shaft should be 1522MM, however I don't know how and where they measure them from. I've got a couple of driveshafts that I don't even know what they fit.
Re: E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 12:14 pm
by Robert Bondi
Thanks for the responses. I am aware there are a lot of parts that look identical, yet have different part numbers. There are a bunch of parts for the 528i that are the same, but lighter/thinner, than the 530i.
Given how rare all these parts are getting, I'll just error on the side of grabbing the E28 driveshaft if it's in decent condition. I'll report on what I find for later reference.
Re: E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 12:19 pm
by Mike W.
Yep, different part numbers can be the same, close enough or completely different. On driveshafts in particular the 3HP22 shaft being close enough to work in a 265/6 application.
Re: E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:46 pm
by Lock
When I put the Getrag 260/6 I found that the e28 driveshafts had a different profile to the e12, basically the e12 gets narrower before the center bearing where the e28 does not. So the e28 driveshaft might hit that area. You can kind of see it in my picture below, if the driveshaft keeps going forward it will hit the floorpan.
Because the 260/6 never came in the e12 I had to make a hybrid driveshaft which is how I know. My rear is an e12, front was a e28 533i I think. I don't feel that used driveshafts are worth it when a new Dorman is around $400. You get new center bearing, new Spicer u-joints, no rust, it's balanced and a guarantee.
Re: E28 drive shaft compatibility
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 12:34 am
by Robert Bondi
Lock wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:46 pm
When I put the Getrag 260/6 I found that the e28 driveshafts had a different profile to the e12, basically the e12 gets narrower before the center bearing where the e28 does not. So the e28 driveshaft might hit that area. You can kind of see it in my picture below, if the driveshaft keeps going forward it will hit the floorpan.
Because the 260/6 never came in the e12 I had to make a hybrid driveshaft which is how I know. My rear is an e12, front was a e28 533i I think. I don't feel that used driveshafts are worth it when a new Dorman is around $400. You get new center bearing, new Spicer u-joints, no rust, it's balanced and a guarantee.
Interesting point on the profile difference. I just acquired both the G265 and driveshaft from an 85 US 535i, so there's no doubt which drive shaft I have. Will be some time before I get to transmission swap to actually confirm the answer for this thread.
Yeah, used driveshaft definitely needs a clean and rebuild. With the used being $125, the hope is cost to rebuild isn't all that different in the end, although I guess it's a little more effort.