KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

A bit of a head scratcher here. I bought an R154 front driveshaft supposedly for an MKIII a couple of months ago but since it looked awfully similar to a W58 SC driveshaft I became concerned I had been sold the wrong part. I took this over to a shop that had an R154 and it was confirmed to be a Soarer or Chaser R154 front shaft, hence the confusing shape.

However after cleaning the input side of the shaft end and attempting to test insert it into my R154 it really doesn't want to slide in. I don't believe the splines are different at all. It just doesn't go in more than an inch and I don't feel comfortable forcing it.

This could be due to surface rust that I've been in the input end but I've been using a small plumber's wire brush to get rid of that.

Could this also be as simple as needing some grease in there to allow it to slide in?

soarer479

iTrader: (2)

Your going about it the right way with the wire brush, there should be a little resistance but once the splines are lined up it should slide in with just a few lbs of force but don't be scared to put the who done it on it.

Cleanshots

iTrader: (2)

lube it a little bit it needs to slide in pretty nicely if you shove it and you are sweeping the ground with the transmission u r doing too much lol

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

Hmm. Okay guys. I'll give it a second try tomorrow. What grease do you recommend for the inside of the shaft? The Mobil1 pink stuff? The transmission is currently on a dolly in my workshop. I'm just test fitting parts and converting it for installation right now.

1JZPWRD

iTrader: (59)

MOBILE 1 is fine or any synthetic grease. Use break cleaner to clean up before applying any grease. Should slide right in.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

Okay, thanks! I'm going to use some break cleaner and then try the mobil1 grease once it looks good enough. I'll let you guys know if it works.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

More wire brush scrubbing, brake cleaner and a little bit of 5W-30 motor oil on the splines of both the transmission and the driveshaft made for a perfect fit! Thanks for the help, guys!

The final thing is that, while the shaft definitely goes in quite a ways now, the collar end of the driveshaft and the collar end of the R154 still have about an inch or so of separation. Is a small gap supposed to be normal? The rear transmission seal is in there as it should be.

Dawa

iTrader: (5)

is the number of splines the same for either transmission? (idk, so if it were me id count.)
and resistance IF any at all, should be minimum.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

ProperD, I looked up the input shaft sizes and it's not just splines. It looks like the R154 shafts are larger in diameter. I did get mine to fit in with minimal resistance after some more thorough wire brush cleaning, brake cleaner and a little bit of motor oil coating the splines at both ends.

It fits in, although there is a small gap where the two collars don't fully meet up. I don't know if this is normal or not but the driveshaft definitely is in there when inserted now.

soarer479

iTrader: (2)

yes a small amount of gap is fine and needed to be able to slip the DS in or out while in the vehicle.

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

yeah it allows for movement and flex, the W series and R series are like that for our cars.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

That's good to hear, guys, thanks! I was concerned at first. So long as it's part of the design.