I'd like to know if there is a standard for spline sizes.

For example would a Ford 32 spline shaft be the same as a Vauxhall 32 spline shaft or must the diameter be quoted as well.

Is the cross section of different manufacturers splines the same?

It's not just the number splines it's the diameter of the shaft as well. 32 splines on a shaft with a diameter of 10cm will be drastically different to 32 splines on a 100cm shaft. An extreme example, buy you get the drift, I hope?

Renault splines fit ford splines if that is any help!

I'm not sure is there is a de-facto standard but if they have the same diameter and no of splines they have fitted cross manufacturer in my (limited) experience.

Best to assume nothing.
However there is a surprising amount if interchangability.
ie old triumphs, it is possible to use a splined triumph hub, fit it to a mk4 escort driveshaft and at the other use a volvo 340 lobro. Whoever discovers some of this stuff needs to get a medal (and probably get out more )

[Edited on 24/11/10 by cliftyhanger]

what are you tring to achive ?

chances are someones already done it.....

please see this pic in my archive... freelander diff closeup.jpg


the diff drive flange is very close to the engine sprocket (about 80mm) so i need a very short coupling which will accomodate misalignment and the the donut type things dont like more than 1 degree ish.

i plan on bolting a new 90mm od lobro joint from an old beetle onto the diff flange (same diameter) and another flange bolted to the engine sprocket. an 80mm length of drive shaft will slide into the lobro and be welded to the flange which is bolted to the sprocket. the lobro joint will allow for misalignment.

the spec of the vw lobro is http://empius.com/cvjoints/cvjoints_pg109.html (87-9916) is 33 splines and i need a matching 80mm long shaft to fit into this. i could use an old vw drive shaft but folks want an arm and a leg for them so i wondered if the same splines are used on e.g. a ford fiesta cv etc. that empius on line catalogue lists all applications but simply says '33 splines'

ive just discovered that a 23 spline drive flange of a freelander diff fits onto the 23 spline inner cv of a fiesta drive shafts!