PDA

View Full Version : S13 NON ABS driveshaft too short by ~1.5"


Prelude Guy
04-10-2008, 06:45 PM
Hey guys,

I am at a loss for words here. I ordered an S13 without ABS driveshaft for my 89 (no abs). It is approx. 1.5" too short.

Here's some background info:

While I was taking out my KA24E, I was new to RWD cars and was just taking the car apart on my own. When I was taking out the driveshaft, I un-bolted the driveshaft at the guibo. I disconnected the spline at the rubber mounts from the smaller section of the driveshaft. Without knowing I left the spline in my old KA24E tranny, I gave it to the guy who bought it.

Ok, so what I did next was buy the smaller piece of the driveshaft from someone who was selling a NON ABS OEM driveshaft. After I installled my Redtop in my car, the driveshaft ended up being too short. After wasting LOTS of time trying to figure out why it was short, I gave up and drew the conclusion that the person who sold me the spline part of the DS sold me one from a NON ABS S13.

Instead of getting another OEM DS, I decided to go with a 1pc Driveshaft Shop DS. I ordered it for a non-ABS S13. I compared it to my OEM DS and it was approx. the same length...so that was NOT a good sign. Crossing my fingers, I just tried to mount it. Again, this freakin' thing is too short!!!

WTF is going on? Why is it too short?

Here's what I am working with:

-89 240 SE hatch that was manual tranny from the factory that has never been modified

-No ABS. This is defininte since there is no ABS pump and for the fact that ABS was not available on the 89 models

-I bought my SR Redtop swap from a guy who had it in an S13 'vert.

-The tranny mounts up fine using the black mounting bracket that also has the tranny mouting bracket attached to it. NO issues with the engine mouting to the engine mounts and the tranny mount.

The gap between the end of the DS and the mount on the diff is approx. a little over two finger widths...which according to my measuring tape is ~1.5".

Any ideas? I am SOOO pissed!! I was hoping to install it, fill my tranny with oil, and mount my short shifter this weekend.

Thanks!

devnull
04-10-2008, 08:12 PM
It's possible that they've sent you a driveshaft for an ABS car. I'd give driveshaftshop a call.

KiLLeR2001
04-10-2008, 09:59 PM
Sounds like they gave you an S14 driveshaft which I believe is shorter than the S13. My friend has an S14 w/ an S13 redtop and he is using his stock S14 driveshaft and I think its about ~1.5inch short as well.

I ordered a one piece aluminum driveshaft for my S13 and that bitch is AIR TIGHT lol... I actually had to push the transmission forward and have someone kinda push back on the differential to get it to fit in there perfectly lol, was a goddamn mission.

g6civcx
04-11-2008, 06:09 AM
Sounds like they gave you an S14 driveshaft which I believe is shorter than the S13. My friend has an S14 w/ an S13 redtop and he is using his stock S14 driveshaft and I think its about ~1.5inch short as well.

This would be my first instinct. Give the DSS a call and see if the length is correct.

I ordered a one piece aluminum driveshaft for my S13 and that bitch is AIR TIGHT lol... I actually had to push the transmission forward and have someone kinda push back on the differential to get it to fit in there perfectly lol, was a goddamn mission.

That's right. You have to unbolt the transmission mount to give the transmission a little play before it will slide in.

Prelude Guy
04-11-2008, 02:43 PM
Thanks for the help, guys. Maybe I am not understanding how the driveshaft works.

I called The Driveshaft Shop to see what they had to say. They said that the driveshaft I have is fine. They said that the DS should NOT be a tight fit because it has to move. They said that 1.5" I think it is short by is how much I should see of the spline, the part that inserts into the back of the tranny. He said that allows the diff to move as the suspension moves up and down.

Does that make sense? Sound right? Kind of does to me.

I am going to give it a short and see if it leaks oil.

satal95
04-13-2008, 06:40 PM
Thats the way mine is also. I haven't driven since i'm still working on the car but hopefully everything turns out alright lmk how it works for you