CV axles

[Guest Anonymous]

I know I've seen this info on here before but can't seem to find it at the moment. Will the CV axles from a '74 2002 fit a '78 320i?

Thanks!

[Harv]

No, They are too short and the bolt holes are the wrong size,

John

[BillWilliams]

What are folks using for 2002 CV joints and the caps? My understanding both are NLA. I guess the caps can be sourced from used parts places but the CV joints themselves should be new when replaced.

[BigDog]

I've been into mine lately, these things are TOUGH. I'll tell you, that even after 100's of 1000's of miles, they show not too much wear. Unless you crack one, or forget to re-pack them occasionally, they shouldn't need replacing.

I don't know where to get parts, someone should come up with a creative solution to this problem... Meanwhile, pick em up used, dont' be afraid!

But it is a hell of messy job to get them cleaned up and re-packed, not the kind of thing you'd do for kicks on a saturday night!

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BigDog

'76 2002

[Guest Anonymous]

Take both sides out and swap them so that they now turn in the opposite direction from the hundreds of thousands of miles they've spun since they left the factory. Considering how little backing up is done, it's like getting a new, hardly used set of half-shafts. Of course, if cracked boots are found - the job gets a LOT more messy and must be corrected.

[Paul7002]

are very expensive. Couldn't find rebuilt cv/axel assemblies anywhere, although I'm told a few years ago there were sources.

I have a few used ones if you need a couple, but the noise I thought was a bad CV that started me hunting for them turned out to be something else. A bad diff in the first case and a bad bearing the second.

[Mike Self]

1. Watch the boots and replace at the first sign of cracking/leaking

2. Keep the bolts--especially at the diff end--good and tight. They can loosen up once removed.

3. Keep the exhaust pipe away from the inner left boot.

The four axles on my 2 cars have a combined 421k miles without a failure--but I attribute that to having four spare axles in the basement!

mike

[Bill_Riblett]

Posted by Gil on July 22, 2001 at 13:28:09:

In Reply to: Rear diff and 320 drum brake ?? posted by 72nevada on July 22, 2001 at 11:27:15:

(posted from: h24-65-20-159.vp.shawcable.net (24.65.20.159))

Ok, I did post about a month ago on this, but I've since had completely apart 2002, early 320i and late 320i CV joints and halfshafts(axles)(to 1982). I measured everything in detail, and here's the final skinny on the whole situation:

2002 CV joints and halfshafts (except I don't know about 02s prior to 1970) and early 320i CV joints and halfshafts are EXACTLY the same thing, up until 1978. Period, end of story. There might be a couple of thou. differenced here or there, but it's negligible, and might just be due to the supplier BMW used.

In 1979, and only 1979, the CV joints in 320i's changed from 8mm bolts to 10mm bolts. Otherwise, the CV joints and halfshafts have the exactly the same style CV joints and the overall length from outer face to outer face of CV joints.

In 1980, the halfshafts changed to a longer version, but still using exactly the same splined shafts ends. They are longer by 9/16" overall. Also in 1980, the CV joints were changed to a 'thinner' style. They have a 3mm shorter outer bearing race surface as compared to the earlier ones, but the bearing cage and inner bearing race are the same. The earlier 320i (and 02) ones are thicker as they have a sort of built in 'spacer' in effect due to the design of the end cap on them.

And early 320i diffs. to 1978 all have 8mm bolts, the same as 02s. 1979 and on diffs. use 10mm bolts.

So, as an end result, you need spacers in any event, but the thickness varies. The thickness allows for the CV joint bearings to ride in the center of the joints, as they were designed to. DO NOT try to get away without using them, however tempting it may look. The bearing cages move back and forth and project beyond the limit of travel of the bearings against the races. As a result, you would chance the cages punching out the end caps on the CV joints.

If you have an early 320i diff. (open or LSD) you need 02 outer CV joints and 02 or early 320i axles. You can use 02 or early 320i inner CV joints. You will need a 1/4" spacer between the inner CV joint and diff. You can use the early 02 CV joint bolts that used a nut on one side, as they'll be longer. I'd suggest getting new ones though.

If you have a later 320i diff., you have two options. You can use 02 outer CV joints and 02 or early 320i axles and 1979 only 320 CV joints on the inboard end. You will need the same 1/4" spacers with this setup, but will need longer 10mm bolts. Alternatively, you can use 02 CV joints on the outboard end, later 320i axles and later 320i CV joints on the inboard sides. With this setup, you will need 3/16" spacers and longer 10mm bolts.

Whew! I hope that's perfectly clear. The mistake I made earlier was that I was in a mad dash in and out of a salvage yard, and accidentally included the thickness of the diff. flange when I mic'd. the 79 320i CV joint.

For those trudging around salvage yards, keep in mind that the outer CV joints normally wear out sooner than the inners, because of the constant up and down pounding from the wheel movement while driving. So don't just buy one side expecting to two good CV joints. Also, it's very labor intensive for salvage yards to remove the CV joints. You'll get a much better deal at a yard that will let you remove them yourself. That way, you'll also get to inspect them before getting them home. I got a package deal at one salvage yard by buying the complete subframe including diff., CV joints, axles, complete brakes (good for 02 upgrade) and useless stuff like trailing arms. BUT, it had an LSD that I knew about and they didn't!!

Various 02 aftermarket places have the 1/4" spacers and longer bolts. One such place though is flogging .375" (3/8") thick spacers. I have no idea how these would work.

Hope this helps.

Gil

72 Tii

Just like 02s, lots of changes were made to the E21s during their 7 year production. Not surprisingly, the earlier cars 76-78 were more like '02s. The 80-83 cars, although they looked the same, had a lot of changes, mostly to make them lighter and more fuel efficient.

Bill Riblett

[Bill_Riblett]

If it isn't clear, my response is posted in response to Harv/John's response.