Axles

[BrianV8]

Hey, question for you guys. Are gts-t axles skyline specific or are they the same as a 300zx or 240zx?

Thanks Brian

[Skym]

I've noticed R32GTS-T halfshaft's look similar in size (diameter) to Silvia / 240SX halfshaft's that I think have a R180?? diffhead.

But R32GTS-T halfshaft's are designed to work with R200? diffhead ears or where the halfshaft's connect to on diffhead.

Count the number of fingers / nuts, bolts on ears and end of halfshafts (diffhead side) and compare to 240sx, 300zx as that is where they are different between GTS, GTS-T. I remember reading somewhere that the ears from R32 GTS-T diffhead can be swapped to different diffhead's like R180.

300ZX joints are used as upgrade on main propshaft that goes from gear box to diffhead, so 300zx joints could be compatible with halfshaft's.

[nelsonmxmarc]

Brian - looking for halfshafts? I have 2 used from my parts car sitting around, let me know.

[BrianV8]

Half shafts not so worried about. Thinking more that i have 20 year old axles in my car and if i snap one i'm wondering if there is a bolt in i can get at the parts store or if i should buy a spare used one from someone

[Skym]

I just swapped the failed halfshaft's on my car with second hand driveshaft's, as they were cheaper than rebuilding them (makes them stronger) or buying new halfshaft's.

[love_boost]

i think you can get one made from a machine shop for around 600 dollars for a 1 peice.
not sure on this though but they could do it probably and be way better mo than haveing the hanger bearing.

[nelsonmxmarc]

Do they fail often? This is making me a bit skeptical as to whether or not i should keep my used half shafts in the event of one of them failing? I'm assuming by failing, you mean shearing the shaft under load, like hard starts etc?

[BrianV8]

yeah i'm thinking having a used one kicking around is the way to go. Only thing i'm worries about is the CV's snapping. Happens so often in honda's and DSM's haha

[t-bag]

I have a axle guy, he is in Gatineau Quebec, he makes 1000hp axles for around 800$ a set, his work is guaranteed for life if it is a street car.
He measures them on the spot and makes them exactly to length for your car. Now might be able to set up a group buy with him but i will need at least 10 people willing to buy.

And you cant just have 1 used axle sitting around in case one snaps, the left and the right are 2 different lengths, not by much, but there is a difference.

GTR axle shafts are significantly beefier than the GTS ones. i know because i swapped mine out for GTR axles. The OEM gtr axles are good until roughly 600whp then they become unreliable, but regardless if you have 1000hp axles or not, if you're suspension is tuned too stiff and your wheel hops while accelerating hard, BYE BYE AXLE!
I have had that experience with brand new 1000whp axles, hit a rumble strip, foot to the floor with a suspension tuned way too stiff, and SNAP.

Think about the group buy, His turn around time is roughly 2 sets a day. Shipping extra obviously.

[BrianV8]

oh didn't know they were different lengths. Correct me if i'm wrong but to go to gtr axles i also have to go to a gtr diff correct?

I'm currently making 400hp at the wheels. So i don't know where i'm at as far as how hard i'm pushing my axles right now for stockers.

[Skym]

Left, right side halfshaft's are supposedly different length's. GTR driveshaft's have been used up to 1100hp on Apexi's 8sec R33GTR dragcar with dragslicks. Front propshaft to front diffhead is known to twist and is inspected often by the crew on Apexi R33GTR drag car.

On Heat Treatments R32 GTR dragcar they snapped the stock front propshaft or halfshaft during a run. From memory, there should be a videoclip of the run on Youtube. The rumour is they run a less grippy dragslicks to avoid driveshaft failure. But I think after what I have read on their website, they made their own driveshaft's, which explains why they didn't have another failure.

With turbocharged Nissan V8 installed + running drag slicks on rear, can snap halfshaft at the part which goes into hub on both sides. The rest of halfshaft looked ok. Look on Nico forums for a Nissan V8 powered R32 GTS-T and you can see the photo's for yourself.

I didn't snap halfshaft's on my car. Damaged joints (alot of play in joints) near wheels on both left, right side, diffhead was single spinner, joint near diffhead on main propshaft was the same as damaged joints on halfshafts. Car had done some drifting, hard launches in the past. Common problem when running grippy rear tyres when drifting with S15, R32 GTS-T, etc. Nissan said they don't like hard launches. As long as the whole drivetrain is locked up (using handbrake, throttle / accelerator pedal) before launching, should be ok.

[t-bag]

They are very very strong axles for stockers. But like all axles, they have just one problem, the undercutting when they reach the outter side of half shaft (towards the spindle).

take for example a oem 240sx axle, they have 3-pot bearings inside and outside and both of the heads oscillate (they move in and out).

now take your GTR or even GTS axles,they both have for inside head and outside head 6-pot bearings (1000hp axles come equipped with these), the inside head (at the diff) oscillates but the outside head is fixed, giving the shaft more strength since its not undercut.

if you swap over the GTR axles, i believe you have to swap out the diff output shafts as well seeing that they're different lengths also.

Like SkyM said, the front diff and axles as well as driveshaft is very poor on the GTR. I've heared of guys retrofitting, in the oem casing, differencials from the Toyota Chaser. Using custom made axles and driveshaft, they become much much more reliable with high HP.

A solid driveshaft, either aluminum or steel, is always a good investment. Anything to get rid of that terrible center hanger bearing (which twists beyond belief when running decent numbers on full acceleration).