I've just embarked on swapping my open diff to a 7" LSD. I boxed clever & bought the lobro bolt shafts to go with it hoping my shafts would mate up with the inner lobro but ive got a mismatch. The current set-up is the smaller diameter shafts with trilobes both ends (I'm hoping to keep my drums)
The current shafts have been shortened and look as though they've been welded with manganese or something that gives a yellow weld and looks like properly ground back on a cylindrical grinder.

Here's the question, what are the shafts made of and has anybody here welded them? if so, what with and how successful was it?

I dont see any alternative to welding (new bespoke shafts will be about £200 a pop) so will be taking the grafting together option.

Thoughts and suggestions please

Get some push in shafts with the larger diameter push in joint. They should still fit your outer hubs and drums, but will allow you to fit a lobro joint to the inboard end.

David

Thanks Dave

Problem is i'd still have to shorten them to get them to fit the small-arsed Striker.

Any idea what the larger diameter trilobe shafts were fitted to? was it a late model/higher cc or Granada thing ?

Ta again

Mark

I found a pair of larger diameter drum braked shafts on a j reg 1.8 cvh sierra,there were two 1.8 sierras in the scrappy only one had the larger shafts fitted and they were both the same age and model.

If it helps I would be interested in the smaller diameter driver shafts complete as a spare set for my Striker. That may offset some of the cost of replacement shafts. Not sure if you've spoken to Mel at RAW but they don't usually have anything to buy off the shelf, only to order.

Any replacements would need to be properly shortened so no short cuts here I'm afraid.

Drum barake to LSD Lobro

Info thanks to the Sierra Owners Club

Drum brake to LSD Lobro diff

quote:

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Originally posted by snapper
Drum barake to LSD Lobro

Info thanks to the Sierra Owners Club

Drum brake to LSD Lobro diff

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Thanks guys.
bimbleuk - I'm hoping to keep the shafts as light as possible & so incorporate the smaller diameter ones if i can. What is "properly shortened" though ?. The ones I have are Raw-shortened and are just welded together albeit neatly. Some 'experts' recommend that the shafts have to be remade and shortening is a no-no as the case hardening and metallergy is altered.

I seem to remember someone once saying that the lobro flanges can be taken out of the Cosworth diff and a push in CV introduced directly. Was there any truth in this? My small shaft trilobe spline is too small on diameter for this for sure.