Drive shaft question (FWD)

[charliechalk]

I am in the process of updating the engine in my ST162, now I have got a half cut from an ST202, and wish to use as much of this as I possibly can. So my question is, assuming I am using the ST202 hub set up (I will check that it fits before I do anything of course). Would there be any problem in using the slightly longer drive shafts? Initial inspection shows they are somewhere around the 20mm mark longer. I will be measuring it all up this weekend just incase the precise length does matter. But in general how far can you compress a CV joint before it becomes a problem?

[Dale]

Where is the extra length made up? Ie. In the shaft itself between the two joints, or on the end of the outer (hub side) joint?

20mm longer seems like a bit to me, don't the ST162 driveshafts fit? I'd imagine they would.

Did ST202's have superstrut suspension?

[charliechalk]

Oh the 162's shaft's fit, just have to change the holding bracket fo the drivers side shaft, but I'm going to see if I can use the entire hub assembly from the ST202. It wasn't a superstrut, some where some weren't. I'm not sure on where the extra length comes from, but will be measuring it all on the weekend anyway

[wagonist]

20mm longer is a lot. Don't forget that the whole assembly needs to move in & out with the suspension travel.
Generally, as the suspension gets compressed, the driveshaft needs to shorten, so with an extra 20mm, you've got a chance of bottoming out the shaft in the end of the CV cup, with a chance of breaking something.

If there's nothing wrong with your current shafts, then reuse them.
If you're really worried, then get them rebuilt & sell the ST202 ones to pay for it.

[charliechalk]

Thanks for the advice, not terribly worried about the 162 ones, they are still fine, was just going to see what people thought about the idea as one would assume they are slightly better, although they seem to be the same thickness as the 162 ones.

[wagonist]

You'll probably find that the CV joints (which are the wearable parts) haven't actually changed in many years.

[charliechalk]

I'll post pics up of the differences after the weekend just so people can know for later on

Pics of differences...
14-15mm extra length in the middle sections


Different bearing support (they are interchangable)

Different hub fittings (not interchangable but I'm pretty sure the hubs are)

[charliechalk]

Oops, should have posted a reply instead of edit.

Reference pics up if anyone wanted to know

[jonathan yee]

the st202 shafts have ABS. dont know how this will factor in your desicion. also the st202 hubs will have different hole spacing for the strut i think.(i'm basing this on the fact that st162 struts wont fit on st162's) so you'd have to use the st202 struts if you use the 202 hubs. dont know how this will impact on other things tho.

why were you thinking of using the st202 hubs? do they use bigger brakes?

[wagonist]

ABS doesn't matter, unless you've managed to find a rear suspension to suit with ABS as well.
Your halfcut also has a speedo sensor on the gearbox, so that also doesn't matter (both of my Caldinas have got the speedo signal from the front ABS sensors).

Does your halfcut have superstrut suspension? If it doesn't & was a pre 97 model, then it & your 162 share the same wheel bearings.
ie, you could possible mount the front hubs & struts from the halfcut into the 162, using the 162 lower control arm (you need to check whether the lower ball joint will go in (different part numbers for 162 & 202, but that probably relates to how it bolts upto the LCA), & your 162 driveshafts.
Alternatively, the 202 brakes will bolt upto the 162 hub, but remember the brake rotor centre hole on 202 is 55mm, not 54mm like the 162, so it won't be a snug fit, and I don't know if there is a 5x100 rotor of the correct diamter & thickness to fit pre 20# models (search of DBA website will help).
BTW, 202 rotor is same as Oz 204.

[horse]

is non superstrut

st202 brakes fit
use a st185 rotor with diameter turned down from 278 to 275
has same offset and hub centre

jonathan > st202 brake calipers are bigger than st162

strut top wise, their orientation is different to st162, but you may be able to change the tops over

hubs wise, i think the spacing is the same from memory. but i no longer have my collection of struts and hubs to double check

[wagonist]

Based on this ^^, I'd be keeping as much of your original suspension as possible. Easier to get replacement bits for.

I'd upgrade the brakes though, as this is an easy swap.
Do the ST185 rotors actually need the 3mm removed? That's only 1.5mm per side, there may be enough clearance already?
Also reduces the chances of the rotor balancing that is done post manufacturing not being changed (I've had this before with a set of ST205 rotors that were machined down, but that was 15mm off diameter, not 3mm)

[horse]

If they didn't need to be turned down do you think i would have had them turned down?

[wagonist]

oh I dunno, I've seen some stupid things in my time...

Didn't realise you'd actually done the conversion.