5 spd vs auto axles

[Sachelle Babbar <sbabbar@iris.nyit.edu>]

I noticed a very interesting thing last night.

>Turbo driveshafts are not as large as autobox driveshafts<

I learned this after breaking off an outer cv joint from the 5spd thinking
that all Audi turbo joints are the same-the difference being the shaft
length. Anyway, I try to put the auto outer cv joint on (freshly rebuilt
from my old parts car) only to find that I've broken the cage on the old
one that turned out to be not too bad, just a ripped boot, and that the
replacement is not compatable. 

Differences: hub spline hole diameter is larger. This is the internal hub
for the drive axle. the outer cv joint case is different on the
auto-noticably larger and cast differently.

Axle differences: the 5 speed axle is smaller- maybe as much as 10%
smaller diameter.

Don't forget, manual cars have = length shafts. Autos don't.

I figure the smaller axle diameter for the manual (these are Audi shafts)
may be engineered for some windup? That's the only thing that can cross my
mind. The autos have the windup in the trans and torque convertor stall
would require a higher torque capacity shaft with no windup. Maybe Phil
Payne can enlighten us?

I order the new axle for 99 bucks from the only place that can get it.
Turns out to be identical to the drivers side auto shaft that I had from
my parts car. Their books (a very reputable local foreign auto parts that
Audi dealers get some stuff from, too) show no differences between the
auto and 5. Anyway, the trans is the same, albeit the quattro has a rear
section bolted on,so I bet the quattro shafts will fit. The only thing is
that they all have abs, my car is one of the few 5 speed non quattros and
on top of that, it doesn't have anti lock, making is rarer, still.

I get the quattro shaft and it's the right one, although the axle shaft is
the larger size; the automatic diameter. Listed for quattro abs, no abs
rotor. Everything else works right except for the last brake bleeder valve
which is a frozen as the thanksgiving turkey my office gave me as an
overtime bonus two years ago. I think it's time to blow it to smitherines
and free up some freezer room.

And I thought I knew it all. :(

****************************************************************************
*Steve                                             Sachelle Babbar
*'87  5000CS Turbo 5spd 1.3-2.0 bar             <SBABBAR@IRIS.NYIT.EDU>
*Cockpit adjustable wastegate, AudiSport badge
*
*Disclaimer:"Any information contained herein is based purely on my own
*personal experience and may not necessarily reflect yours. Use caution as
*your results may vary from mine."
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