Drive / half Shaft Shortening

[Zedn]

Hi All,

I am in the process of shortening my rear end (jag). I am half way through shortening the control arms myself and its going well, but for the actual drive shafts i am getting them done professionally.

I have had 2 quotes, one for shortening by machining down the halfshaft and sleeving with pipe for $700 (in melbourne so i would need to pay postage from Sydney both way and the shafts are not light) and the other from a local driveshaft/hotrod builder for $800-900 for custom made shafts from scratch (both prices for 2 shafts).

The hotrod builder is a nice guy and has spent some time reasearching yolks and tube for me but he also thinks its a little expensive. We had a conversation about what may be other ways of doing it and he doesnt think that sleaving it will be strong enough.

Just wondering how much others have paid for this process and what method was used? I am also interested in input from those that have had non Jag shafts shortened / custom built.

Liam

[Mrs flatchat]

Talk to DRB sports cars --they do them quite frequently

[Zedn]

Thanks for that, only problem is they are in QLD so i would have the problem with postage.

[Rob. Smith]

Welcome to cobra building ! Costs will add up and postage is one of em.
Try Hardy Spicer. I'm sure there will be a branch in Sydney. I'm in Newcastle and we have a branch here.

[Zedn]

Thanks Rob,

How were the drive shafts shortened for your car? Where the standard shafts sleaved? If so do you know what size tube was use?

Cheers,
Liam

[Krait]

Hi,

Try Dave Mawer in Orangeville (Mawer Engineering)

Cheers

[boss290cobra]

Hardy Spicer are on Heathcote rd at Moorebank nearest cross st is Seton rd they built my tailshaft and do a wide range of drive shafts etc, reasonably priced and a fast service.


Darrell
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[boxhead]

Liam, with the Nationals coming up soon, I am sure you could ask if anyone of the many QLD visitors would have room to bring a set down for you, maybe you can leave a deposit with DRB that they hold until your old ones reach them upon the National visitors return.
Just a thought.

[mickmate]

First off I wouldn't mention the word pipe with these things. You need a DOM seamless mechanical tube for the job. If you read through here http://www.erareplicas.com/427/shorten.htm you'll get an idea how to make the axles fail safe as they are the upper arm on these rears. If it fails with this design it won't collapse. Get it done right by someone who has done em before in my opinion.

[New Rocket]

Hi Liam,

A good person for you to speak to is Laurie from RCM (I think you have one of his kits). I spoke to him today and he suggested you give him a call and he can help you. His number is 03 9887 9997 and his work number is 03 8541 7570.

Good Luck

[Zedn]

Thanks for the replies,

I now have shortened shafts. The local drive shaft sepcialist (who is also a hot rod builder) turned down my jag shafts on the laith and sleaved them with 2 inch pipe. All welds were tig welded with high tensile rod and shafts were balanced with new Uni joints installed. Price ended up being very fair.

Now i just need to finish shortening the control arms and i can paint it up all nice and shiny

New Rocket,

Thanks for Laurie's details, i feel a bit funny ringing him to ask questions when i havnt purchased the kit from him. Also i know that this is a side project and not is actual job.

Liam.

[New Rocket]

Hi Liam
Don't feel funny about ringing Laurie. He's the one who actually told me to give you his details. Even though you havn't bought the kit from him he is happy to answer any questions you have.