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Drive shaft shortening?
anonymouse - 23/9/24 at 09:58 PM

Hi all.

Can folks on here recommend specialists that do OEM driveshaft shortening?

I am based 'up North' so losing CPS on Tyneside to bankrupcy was a blow because they used to do proper spin friction weld joins.
:-(

In addition to having a pair of RWD shafts shortened, I was thinking the same process might be applied to narrow the front centre drive shaft from an OEM AWD.
somewhat like this one:

[Edit] To be clear, in the OEM layout the front diff bolts to the left hand side of the sump of the longitudinal front engine.

The Right Front driveshaft is driven by this cross shaft though the sump.

So to narrow the front track in e.g. the front of an AWD locost, the Front Diff would be placed in front of the engine and this cross shaft would have to be shortened between where it plugs into the Front Diff (at right in the picture)
and the support bearing. (which is visible towards the CV cup at the left)



[Edited on 24/9/24 by anonymouse]


Mr Whippy - 24/9/24 at 10:49 AM

Might be worth checking to see if the gearbox is used in other model/makes of car that have a narrower track, you might be lucky and many manufactures share drive train components.


MikeR - 25/9/24 at 07:39 AM

Not local, but Dave Mac propshafts in Coventry used to do friction welding. The web site doesn't seem to work today but they're still going and have instagram etc


anonymouse - 25/9/24 at 09:41 AM

Thanks MikeR.

That is a good start and at least gives me somewhere to phone if I can't find anywhere else further North. ;-)


Some web searching finds more details which I will note here as they may be of use to others in the future.

https://www.facebook.com/DaveMacPropshafts/

quote:

Dave Mac Propshafts
· After many years in the propshaft industry Fiona and I retired at the end of April 2022, and thus Dave Mac Propshaft llp ceased trading.
The workshop team have continued under a new company structure Dave Mac Propshafts LTD and
a new email address :- davemacpropshafts@gmail.com
Please contact them for your needs.
All the best
John
John McMahon
Ex-Dave Mac Propshafts llp



company information:

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14007203


quote:

DAVE MAC PROPS LTD

Company number 14007203

Registered office address
Unit 7a Brindley Road, Bayton Road Industrial Estate, Coventry, England, CV7 9EP



There is even a TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@davemacpropshafts

and a youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@davemacpropshafts2866

Which both display a phone number:
'Tel 024 7668 3239'


More suggestions are welcomed and will be helpful!

[Edited on 25/9/24 by anonymouse]

[Edited on 25/9/24 by anonymouse]

[Edited on 25/9/24 by anonymouse]


christim - 25/9/24 at 11:09 AM

Dunning and Fairbank in Leeds

https://www.dandfltd.co.uk/


Slimy38 - 25/9/24 at 12:32 PM

Dave Mac are still going strong, I contacted them on email July of last year for a price on a propshaft shortening and they gave a quick and competitive price.

Their website appears to have been hijacked though, I get a very dubious 'click on allow' page which is often the first step to a virus-laden PC.


pewe - 2/10/24 at 08:11 AM

Try Propshaft Services in Feltham - they manufacture and repair.
Also known as Bailey and Morris.
I think they have one or two branches across the country.
https://www.propshaft-services.co.uk/


anonymouse - 2/10/24 at 10:32 AM

Thanks for that recommendation pewe.

I see from the propshaft-services website that they provide a

comprehensive 267 page Bailey Morris Ltd Product Catalogue.

[Edited on 2/10/24 by anonymouse]