Board logo

Driveshaft/upright help westfield
Mj2326 - 17/6/15 at 08:04 AM

Hi I'm currently re building a westfield and wanting to change from drums to golf calipers I have bought new uprights to mount the caliper but I'm now having trouble bolting the new uprights to the wishbones with the drive shaft it's the spline type so surely have to fit it in the diff 1st surely?

I can connect the 2 bottom bolts but the up right then tips outboard so the top mount is way off from the top wishbone and suspension

Can anyone give me any tips or point me in the right direction.


minitici - 17/6/15 at 08:27 AM

Are the tripod joints going into their housings correctly.
Sometimes you need to fiddle with the rollers to get them to go in fully.


kingster996 - 17/6/15 at 08:31 AM

Post pics of previous upright and new ones so we can see what you are talking about - you may have had a Sierra SDV drum version before, which means your current splined driveshafts will be too long - and might mean that your wishbones are also the wrong size (not 100% sure)

The std Westfield rear uprights use Lobro style bolt on shafts, not push in.

If this is the case, you will probably need new 'hybrid' shafts made.

[Edited on 17/6/15 by kingster996]


Mj2326 - 17/6/15 at 09:59 AM

Yea that's what I'm thinking the drive shafts are just to long not sure what to do now


kingster996 - 17/6/15 at 10:19 AM

Well, as i said, you can get some custom made driveshafts (or your existing ones modified) - or:

Swap the diff for a bolt on type and new driveshafts to suit.

Sell the uprights and buy a disc conversion kit (I converted form Sierra SDV drum to disc - can be a real pain).

Do your old uprights and hubs look like this:



If so, then they are Sierra SDV ones

[Edited on 17/6/15 by kingster996]


Mj2326 - 17/6/15 at 12:39 PM

Yea that's what the old uprights look like I have the new westfield style with the lugs to bolt the caliper too looks like I'm gonna gave to swap out the diff then


kingster996 - 17/6/15 at 02:06 PM

Ring Westfield and ask for Mark - check if the Sierra SDV uses the same rear wishbones before you buy any more bits

...and did you get the hubs with the uprights?

[Edited on 17/6/15 by kingster996]


Mj2326 - 17/6/15 at 04:21 PM

No that's something else I need as the hubs I have are slightly to big for the disc


kingster996 - 17/6/15 at 04:33 PM

Yep, Sierra drum hubs need to be turned down to fit the disc - but will not fit the Westfield std upright whatever you do.

Honestly, it will be easier to just get some adaptor plates for your disc conversion - again, this assumes you have already bought discs and calipers (and not the Rally Design Hydra Mech ones either - they don't fit).

You might find the cost of hubs, driveshafts and maybe wishbones is more than you'd lose selling the uprights!


[Edited on 17/6/15 by kingster996]


Mj2326 - 17/6/15 at 04:38 PM

Yea I already have discs and calipers the uprights are the westfield 1 so thought it would be a simple straight swap that'll teach me


kingster996 - 17/6/15 at 05:42 PM

Also, your wheels will not have the correct offset if you do end up swapping to full std Westfield uprights etc. The SDV needs an ET35-38 and std uses around ET23, so your current wheels will need 15mm (ish) spacers and longer studs to suit.

Sorry for all the bad news - just hoping to give you enough info to make an informed decision!

But - here's some plus points if you do go that route:



[Edited on 17/6/15 by kingster996]


Mj2326 - 17/6/15 at 07:13 PM

Thanks for all the info have to follow it through now


kingster996 - 19/6/15 at 05:59 AM

Useful info here on hybrid shafts might be what you need.

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/101143-lsd-diff/