CV Joint Flanges

[BDA]

Brian, could you please post some links. I didn't find CV joints at either Spyder or Kelvedon - though I will admit that I cannot always find products that Kelvedon sells such as their stub axles.

Since the Elan is Ford based, I think their CV joint solution is not transferable to the Renault based Europa.

[SwiftDB4]

Spyder's optional A arm rear suspension with their own uprights and driveshafts (doughnut + U joint) only fits a Spyder frame. I'm not finding a Kelvedon CV driveshaft/rear suspension on their website.

[andy harwood]

Richard Mann had purchased some VW bits to make up a conversion. I don't know if he has progressed, as he doesn't seem to post here often, and I think he was working on his 47 car.
He wrote up his CVJ conversion to his S2 here http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1724.0
Pic is of VW beetle transaxle CVJ flanges

[BDA]

I looked at the thread about Richard Mann's rear suspension mods and from what I can understand, the interior CV Joint is from an Alfa Alfetta. That is very interesting! I'm writing him about any details he can share about that.

I've posted some pictures of the CV joints I bought from Richard. Unfortunately, the parts were wrapped in duct tape many years ago and taking it off left a fair amount of goo so you'll have to look past that goo and my poor photography. The first two pictures are of the main, outside piece and the third is the interior piece where the axle splines would mate. The splined collar fits over the output shaft of my NG3 and I believe any other Renault tranny a Europa owner would likely have. The offset hole for a roll pint also matches up with the output shaft. So, as I described earlier, one plan might be to cut that collar off that CV joint and weld it onto a "generic" or VW CV joint flange. I believe what SwiftDB4 posted a picture of is something just like that.

Using a VW CV joint flange would, I think, allow you to replace the rest of the drive shaft parts with VW parts - although there might be some massaging necessary. I would experiment with stub axles if I had a junk rear upright I could test fit with. Someone???

It might also be that BMW parts would fit too but there are lots of VW parts to choose from. For example, drive shafts come in one inch increments, stub axles are hardened and all are well made, readily available, and economical. Also, all the splines would immediately match up.

That's at least my initial plan. If someone has some concerns or ideas for alternates, I'd love to hear them!

[GavinT]

BMW does use the same type Lobro CV joint as VW, however I believe there are 3 different size Lobro joints.

Yes, 94mm, 100mm and 108mm.

BMW 2002 tii used Lobro style 100mm CV's.
From what I gather, they're spline compatible with VW axles of the same era.

I doubt there's a need to go to the larger Porsche 930 type 108mm CV's.
Older 94mm CV's are probably perfectly adequate, but not so well supported these days.