Custom Driveshafts
Discussion
Arnold Cunningham said:
Hi All,
I need a couple of custom driveshafts made - who is recommended these days.
Many thanks
Arnold
In case there is any American speak in there, this is the actual driveshaft bar from box/diff to wheel hub ? ( Yanks say driveshaft for propshaft )I need a couple of custom driveshafts made - who is recommended these days.
Many thanks
Arnold
And is it an entire shaft and CV or pot joints ? just the bar itself ?
GKN ?
Dave Mac ?
DJM Motorsport ?
Never heard of this lot, but they googled. Berrisford ? ( GB Engineering ? )
and google, does BE mean Berrisford ? https://www.satchellengineering.co.uk/product/be-d...
Arnold Cunningham said:
Yes, actual driveshaft - and just the bar itself to fit the joints required (that I already have). 
I had found berrisford, along with a few others via google - but I always prefer a recommendation if someone has first-hand experience.
I've only used Dave Mac for propshaft stuff, and all good there.I had found berrisford, along with a few others via google - but I always prefer a recommendation if someone has first-hand experience.
Never used anywhere local for driveshaft bars. I know of some using GKN, but the prices are eye watering.
I've used stuff from the Driveshaft Shop in the US....and they're hit or miss regardless of the high price. I'd be loathe to go that route.
I've heard of people using DJM before and they've built some fantastic stuff, so would have no worries there.
The Berrisford, just found them on google, no idea about them but their site seems good.
I've also seen people cut/weld shafts together via various methods and they've worked fine too, if that's the level of custom that's needed.
Although not tested in anger yet, this one was pretty cool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRoTQoNxAKw
Thank you, I'll give them a call.
I don't have the driveshafts yet and it feels like by the time I've fannied about buying 3 (1 granny that I can cut into 2 and 2 audi since the audi has different ends inboard vs out), and then cut and welded them together - reckon that'll take a fair bit of aggro to get just right.
Did also consider making granada adaptors for my audi box - but again felt that by the time I bought the steel, more cv joints, and fannied around machining it all - and I don't think standard granada lengths are right either - so might end up with very long adaptors.
But if berrisford or similar have the setup to make a "correct" pair of driveshafts for me instead - I think that is a good solution
Certainly could do either of the former options if there are no other choices, but I think I will just get a correct driveshaft made, if I can.
I don't have the driveshafts yet and it feels like by the time I've fannied about buying 3 (1 granny that I can cut into 2 and 2 audi since the audi has different ends inboard vs out), and then cut and welded them together - reckon that'll take a fair bit of aggro to get just right.
Did also consider making granada adaptors for my audi box - but again felt that by the time I bought the steel, more cv joints, and fannied around machining it all - and I don't think standard granada lengths are right either - so might end up with very long adaptors.
But if berrisford or similar have the setup to make a "correct" pair of driveshafts for me instead - I think that is a good solution
Certainly could do either of the former options if there are no other choices, but I think I will just get a correct driveshaft made, if I can.
Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Saturday 6th January 10:26
Car is quite immobile at the moment, and certainly not practical to take it miles away just for a bit of measuring - but I think it's fine.
Spent some time measuring up on a dummy shaft yesterday. When designing the engine & gearbox mounts, I spent a lot of time making sure the engine was as far forward and as low down as I could make it, which you can see from the driveshaft angles.
The suspension is at full compression on the bump stops here. At "normal" height there's a bit less angle.
There's at least 19mm of possible movement (at full drop) on the driveshaft, and 23mm movement @ normal height, and 22mm on the bump stops. So nothing bottoms out.
This was just the nearside one, next to do the offside and then I'll have to spend some money.
Spent some time measuring up on a dummy shaft yesterday. When designing the engine & gearbox mounts, I spent a lot of time making sure the engine was as far forward and as low down as I could make it, which you can see from the driveshaft angles.
The suspension is at full compression on the bump stops here. At "normal" height there's a bit less angle.
There's at least 19mm of possible movement (at full drop) on the driveshaft, and 23mm movement @ normal height, and 22mm on the bump stops. So nothing bottoms out.
This was just the nearside one, next to do the offside and then I'll have to spend some money.
stevieturbo said:
Obviously you need to account for movement in/out of the shaft too throughout any movement up/down etc.
Although with the tripod joint inside, they usually offer a pretty huge range of motion in and out. So a fair bit of wiggle room there for shaft length
Yeah. I could have allowed a greater range of movement than the 20 or so I have if I had shortened the shaft a bit - but it also meant the tripod joint was coming closer to full out at a combo of max suspension compression and outer cv joint full out. So I think this length I have come up with is within safe bounds at all exremes of travel, either of suspension or joints. Just drawing a CAD diagram to give some companies now.Although with the tripod joint inside, they usually offer a pretty huge range of motion in and out. So a fair bit of wiggle room there for shaft length
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