Aluminum Driveshaft
10-27-2009, 01:03 AM
#1
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Aluminum Driveshaft
I found out my driveshaft has a dying U-joint on my highly modded, tracked MSM. Unfortunately, I heard the U-joint on the OEM part isn't serviceable, so I'm looking at this as a chance to upgrade to a lighter, stronger unit.
I was given a quoted price in the $300 range from one place in Southern California that offers an aluminum piece with serviceable U-joints. Sounds enticing to me, but is there anything I should know before buying such a driveshaft like strength compared to an OEM MSM unit?
I was given a quoted price in the $300 range from one place in Southern California that offers an aluminum piece with serviceable U-joints. Sounds enticing to me, but is there anything I should know before buying such a driveshaft like strength compared to an OEM MSM unit?
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10-27-2009, 01:16 AM
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That's a more reasonable price than I'd have expected, actually.
I've heard of shops that will rebuild an OEM driveshaft (with serviceable joints) in the $200s, though I couldn't quote an exact price off the top of my head.
Something to consider, anyway. The stock unit is surprisingly lightweight.
I've heard of shops that will rebuild an OEM driveshaft (with serviceable joints) in the $200s, though I couldn't quote an exact price off the top of my head.
Something to consider, anyway. The stock unit is surprisingly lightweight.
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10-27-2009, 01:41 AM
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I know the stock unit's pretty light, but if the replacement is close to the price of the Al unit that's lighter and stronger, I'd say why not. However, I'm just concerned of the strength of an Al unit and to see if anyone's had experience with one.
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10-27-2009, 02:02 AM
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I'm aware of the CF one. Baller piece indeed, but I'll save that for a more crazy build in the future.
Yikes, that looks like that happened at AAA Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, CA), based on the garage the car's in. I can see that happening there on a high HP car.
Yikes, that looks like that happened at AAA Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, CA), based on the garage the car's in. I can see that happening there on a high HP car.
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10-27-2009, 02:05 AM
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Having never actually weighed one, I'd still say that the stock 1.8 unit is less than 10 lbs. You can easily pick it up and swing it around with two fingers.
Well, for the reason that Magna points out (good junkyard units are cheap as hell) I'm guessing that there aren't a lot of folks who can actually weigh in here (pun intended) with first-hand experience. Searching turns up nothing...
On the other hand, if someone had experienced a failure with an aluminum unit, I'm sure we'd have heard about it.
On the gripping hand, here is a brand-new steel unit for $197: Car Part Wholesale - Auto Parts and Accessories Catalog - Powertrain Driveshaft For 2004 Mazda Miata
On the other hand, if someone had experienced a failure with an aluminum unit, I'm sure we'd have heard about it.
On the gripping hand, here is a brand-new steel unit for $197: Car Part Wholesale - Auto Parts and Accessories Catalog - Powertrain Driveshaft For 2004 Mazda Miata
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10-27-2009, 10:03 AM
#11
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The MSM driveshaft has replaceable joints. So just replace the joint and be done.
Or replace it with a non-MSM driveshaft. They interchange. The non-MSM shaft does not have user servicable joints (though not intended by mazda, you still can replace u-joints with some work).
Or replace it with a non-MSM driveshaft. They interchange. The non-MSM shaft does not have user servicable joints (though not intended by mazda, you still can replace u-joints with some work).
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10-27-2009, 10:06 AM
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There are to many variables to say yes the Aluminum shaft is stronger or not, It depends on the type of Aluminum and wall thickness. It could be stronger or, they could make it out of old soda cans and it would not be stronger. Ask the shop that is making it. I know the shop in my area wont make a shaft unless its stronger than the one its replacing.
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10-27-2009, 10:07 AM
#13
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Stock unit IS surprisingly light. Every time I have gone to pick one up I have put way too much *** into expecting it to be 25-30lbs, then I find it weighs probably less than a gallon of milk. One of those parts that just weigh much less than they look like they would.
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