M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: M42boy on July 23, 2006, 10:49:37 PM

Title: Axle Lengths
Post by: M42boy on July 23, 2006, 10:49:37 PM
Okay, so I had to replace both rear half-shafts on my 318iS (the axles), so I went to the yard.  I asked if he had any for a '91 318iS...   Bobby at Strictly German said that while the stock 318 half-shafts may work fine on this car, they are actually longer than those on a 325, and since I'm running a medium case differential out of a 325 auto, I should run the appropriate 325 axles.  

I wouldn't have believed it myself, but he put two side by side and yup, the 318 half shafts are longer!  

Anyways, I went up one weekend and got one from a 325iX, and then another out of a 325i cabrio.  When I had them side by side, I realized they two are different lengths!  

See picture below.  The upper one is out of a '90 325iX, and the bottom one is out of the same year (I think) 325i cabriolet.  

(http://www.s-cars.org/postnuke/modules/gallery/albums/danh/IMG_5452.jpg)

Here's a closup of the ends.  

(http://www.s-cars.org/postnuke/modules/gallery/albums/danh/IMG_5453.jpg)

For some reason, I guess the iX one is a little longer.  So, I need to return it and pull the other one out of the cabrio to get a matching set.
Title: Axle Lengths
Post by: Berlin on July 24, 2006, 03:21:29 AM
what, thats crazy, i measured the distance flange to flange on both the medium case and the small case and its the same! look in this pic

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6152&postcount=11
Title: Axle Lengths
Post by: e9nine on July 24, 2006, 08:08:39 AM
Ha ha I was just thinking about this issue of yours. Call Bobby and get him to exchange it for you. The iX ones are NOT compatible with non-iX cars. I would assume he would know better that the drivetrain on that unicorn is not the same as all others. We share the same parts as the 325i/m3 and not the iX

Part # 33211226901 is for the ABS equipped cars. G.luck
Title: Axle Lengths
Post by: 2002maniac on July 24, 2006, 05:20:55 PM
:confused:

That cant be right.  325e/i/s and 318is axles are identical.  I have an axle off a 325e onmy car at the moment.  It measure exactly the same as the one that came off.
Title: Axle Lengths
Post by: e9nine on July 24, 2006, 05:25:04 PM
Quote from: 2002maniac
:confused:

That cant be right.  325e/i/s and 318is axles are identical.  I have an axle off a 325e onmy car at the moment.  It measure exactly the same as the one that came off.

Yeah in his case he has a 325i and 325iX combo hence the difference. No need to be :confused: everything is kosher ladies and germs :)
Title: Axle Lengths
Post by: M42boy on July 26, 2006, 07:54:40 PM
Quote from: e9nine
Yeah in his case he has a 325i and 325iX combo hence the difference. No need to be :confused: everything is kosher ladies and germs :)

You are right!  I did some more investigative work.  The 325's and 318's are indeed the same.  

The 325 rear axle is PN#  33 21 1 226 901  (Same as 318iS)
The 325iX rear axle is PN# 33 21 1 225 893

The iX axle is going back for the other 325 axle on Saturday morning. :D