ezzzzzzz Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 I'm soooo tired of searching all of the Z sites without hard fast results. It seems that most questions get sidetracked with opinions or preferences and ultimately the original question never gets a viable answer. Okay, enuff of my ranting... I have a 71 240Z with a 4.10 limited slip R180. I've climbed under the car and looked as well as rotating tires and counting driveshaft rotations. It is in excellent condition and I have no interest in swapping it out for a R200. One of my outer U-joints is failing and I would like to convert to a CV setup, if possible. I cannot find a viable step-by-step procedure to do this if one even exist. If not, the other option will hopefully be to use HD U-joints like those produced by CTM should the size required be produced. They are very expensive and used almost exclusively by the competition rock crawlers. These U-joints do not have bearings but are sleeved instead. Bottom line, is there a doable CV swap that will allow me to keep my R180? Is so, could someone provide the vital information? Many thanks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackBeaut Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Sorry I can't offer anything positive but I believe the R180 is also used on some Subarus - I'm thinking Imprezza WRX - so it might be worth checking out what they use for half-shafts. Cheers, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 You need to contact Ross Corrigan at Modern Motorsports. He will give you definitive answers and have the parts you need to do it. Keep in mind that MM is a part time business for him as he has a day job that keeps him very busy. It may be a few days before he returns your e-mail. If you can be patient he will be your best source of help. sales@modern-motorsports.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zcarnut Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 The [rare] R180 CV axles from a 2+2 automatic ZX or a set from the first generation Maxima (1981 to 1985) will fit the R180 diff that uses a snap ring to secure the input shaft of the CV axle (where it goes into the diff). Is your R180 like that? All of the 115mm LSD's used the snap ring. You have to use the round, six-bolt CV type companion flange piece on your stub axle as well. However, if you are using the adjustable outer control arm bushings to adjust the rear camber/toe, then this adjustment moves the outer stub axle housing closer to the diff to correct the negative camber that results from lowering the early Z cars. As a result the R180 CV axles will bind (as they will be too long). To solve this problem you can disassemble the R180 CV axle and replace the center shaft with a shorter one from an R200 CV axle. This is what I had to do. This is a lot more work (and money), but I was determined to use CV axles with my R180 diff. Some related threads: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=98212 http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=97309 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug71zt Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 We did a 240 with the Maxima CV shafts installed. No problems at all for 4 years now. Stock CV shafts and adapters from the Max, bolted right in with stock rear control arms. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 How durable are those ZX CV axle setups? Seeing that the later model Zeds have different and larger CV's. Anyone put a lot of power through them, busted one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzzzzzz Posted February 23, 2005 Author Share Posted February 23, 2005 My Z is presently in the body shop for damaged incurred when a rear tire came apart and whipped the sheetmetal viciously. I'll have to look at my diff when it comes out. The FSM shows a bolt extending through the flange and into the actual differential holding the flange assembly into the housing. Is this the part that might actually be a snap ring retention style unit? I can only hope that is the case and I have such a a diff. I can only imagine that an original R180 LSD with 4.10 r&p is rare(?). I'd really like to keep the R180 as it is stout enough for the slightly modified 2.4 L6 installed. I may hesitantly consider a swap to the R200 to get the CV longivity. Does anyone have photos of the Maxima CV assemblies and the matching R180 diff so I have a good reference? I'd like to spend hours scouring junkyards but I simply don't have the time to invest anymore. I'm also in the very early stages of Z ownership and understanding. Some of the terminology baffles me but I'm trying to grasp it as quickly as possible. That's why I'm relying on the knowledgebase of fellow Z enthusiasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 I have set of these RARE cv's if intrested PM me, i want to sell, the only have 70something K on them ! how does a 100 USD sound ? In europe they came on 83 at's BTW a 100 is ex S.H, witch might ad 50 max so you are looking at 150 for a good set at your doorstep let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzzzzzz Posted February 23, 2005 Author Share Posted February 23, 2005 Frank, Please hold for me long enough to get over to the bodyshop and look at my rear diff housing. I'm assuming these Cv's just push (and snap lock) into the diff through the side covers unlike the early flanges that must be bolted in? Could you possibly provide photos so I have more of an idea of what I'm dealing with? E-mail me at mark4460@cox.net Thanks, Ezzzzzzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 ill shoot some pics of teh unit tommorow for you ill post and email them to you ( posting so others can enjoy aswel ) I personally never saw them either, not untill i put th erear end next to another and took a good look ... an r180!!!! with CV's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 the pictures as promised, in the back you can see a r200 let me know what you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zcarnut Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Here's a pic of some slightly "cleaner" R180 CV axles as shown on my 810: http://home.comcast.net/~zcarfan/R180_CVaxles.jpg (The extreme axle mis-alignment is a result of the car being on jackstands with the rear wheels off the ground.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 hehe only need for a quick brush on minem, and tehy will look just as good really LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 So Steve, I assume that you used an adaptor plate of some sort so that the outer six bolt CV flange would bolt up to the four bolt S30 stub axle flange? Any tips there? Very useful pic BTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zcarnut Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 So Steve' date=' I assume that you used an adaptor plate of some sort so that the outer six bolt CV flange would bolt up to the four bolt S30 stub axle flange?Any tips there? Very useful pic BTW [/quote'] No adaptor needed. Instead of the “four-bolt†S30 companion flange, the ZX’s and Maxima’s with CV axles used a “CV†companion flange that mated the end of the CV axle to the stub axle. A pic of the CV companion flange can be found at: http://alteredz.com/240ZCVHalfshaftConversion.htm You realize that the picture is not a S30... My 1979 810 uses the same rear suspension as the ZX (in fact the 280ZX copied the 810 suspension) so it was a simple matter to convert my 810 to CV axles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 they will go with the axles as they are mounted on this unit aswel ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Thanks Steve, know what parts to look for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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