CV driveshaft conversion

[ragtop]

Hi all thinking of a CV conversion,but would like to know who makes the CV joints on the ones available in the UK.I have heard that they are made by shaftec of Singapore which from their website looks to be a good setup,they say that they supply 99% of the european market.I have asked kelvadon ,but all I got was they were supplied by a company in the UK,but they are obviously not made in the UK,as I doubt are the GKN ones.So has anyone any ideas

[ericbushby]

Hi,
When I bought shafts from Kelvedon they came with Shaftec boxes with the type number blanked out used as packaging.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[andyelan]

Hi There

CV joints are generally made to standard dimensions and I think there are two sizes which have been used to make up the drive shaft conversions for the Elan.

The ones I have use 100 mm OD, 25 spline bore joints with 6 x 8mm bolt holes on 86mm PCD. I've recently replaced the joints with a set of SKF VKJA 8688. They aren't made in Sweden but they're a fine joint and perfectly OK for road use.

I think the other joint commonly used is 94 mm OD, 33 spline bore joints with 6 x 8mm bolt holes on 78mm PCD but I havn't seen any of these so can't be sure.

Regards
Andy

[TonyA]

I also tracked down Shaftec as the source of the Kelvedon's (legacy Sue Miller ) CV joints:.This was to try to buy a couple of the 7/16 unf studs that I had managed to mangle threads while hammering them into tight hub drive ears holes (a long story..) .Kelvedon had no studs at hand and were waiting for supplies: delivery date unsure. I don't know about Singspore; the company I found is in the Midlands in UK; and I spoke to them by phone; they were very freindly but Elan CV joints are not at the forefront of their business, they confirmed they supply Kelvedon but clearly preferred to deal with their customers, not their customers' customers. Here is their website.

https://www.shaftec.com

Tony

PS. I ended up making the studs from the original donut bolts..

[andyelan]

Hi Everyone

Are we talking about the entire driveshaft assembly (splined shaft, adaptors, cv joints etc.) or just the actual CV joints themselves)

Andy

[ragtop]

Hello Andy primarily the CV joints,although I have just heard back from kelvadon, it seems that the CV joints are shaftec and the splined shaft is machined by a local (to them) machine shop duncan

[andyelan]

Hi There

If you're worried about quality then I would say these joints look fine and looked after, i.e. not contaminated with water or dirt, then they'll last almost indefinably. If you are worried about sourcing replacements then again there shouldn't be any problem, the joints look like standard 100mm 6 hole joints which are easy to source. The only problem might be is that most suppliers want to know the original application but spend a little time on the internet and you usually find there's an illustration giving the dimensions. Race suppliers such as Demon Tweeks sell GKN Motorsorts joints and give dimensions. These are exactly the sane size as standard CV joints but are lightened and have polished track so they're expensive and, in my opinion, overkill for a road car. Just be aware that you'll have to go through a supplier. Manufactures be they GKN, SKF or Shaftec won't deal with the public.

Regards
Andy

[Andy8421]

I had never heard of Shaftec, so did a bit of digging. They seem to be a reconditioner of steering racks and drivelines, and distributor of CVs and other universal and driveline parts. Its not clear that they manufacture much themselves, or where they source their products from.

While their products may be absolutely fine, I would stick with a known quality brand like GKN Lobro for CVs.

[ragtop]

Thanks for that Andy ,it does look that Shaftec offer a 60 month 60000 mile warranty,so has any one out there bought and fitted this drive shaft conversion, from either Sue millar or Kelverton, recently and what are your findings ,good or bad.The car a late plus 2 wont be doing much mileage ,but dont like the idea of the rotoflexs breaking up duncan

[ericbushby]

Hi,
I fitted the Kelvedon shafts seven years ago with no problems.
One joint threw some grease out quite soon, and last year while doing my annual safety and ` MOT` checks I found a split gaiter. This was readily available from Kelvedon and I added a smear of sealer to where the grease might leak from. Otherwise I am very please with them and would not consider going back to doughnuts.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[elansprint]

The CV joints used on the Mick Miller/Kelvedon shafts were OEM fit on the Ford Sierra not Cosworth
Ian

[jeff jackson]

I got mine from Col Croucher Elantrikbits in Australia.
Posted them to me here in the UK.
They are top quality and have transformed the car.
Right now the exchange rate is favourable to us in the UK.
Jeff 72 +2

[alan.barker]

+1 for CVDS "Elantrikbits" 100%.
Alan

[alan.barker]

Hi TonyA,
You should not need to use a Hammer to fit. If so then one of the Ears is bent. In which case if it runs ttue with the Axis of Shaft not buckled you can put a Reamer through offending hole.
On the CVDS Elantrikbits the Studs are special and very easy to replace. + Adapter Plates in steel.
Alan

[TonyA]

Yes, eventually, I realised reaming was needed : I opened up the holes in the ears from 7/16 nominal to 29/64 , which resulted in a nice sliding fit for the studs..300 miles on and all is well.

All said and done, if I had a time machine, on the light of my experience and having done more research, I would have paid the extra and got the Elantrikbits version.

1. More customer focus/ aftercare probably because it's a (the) company's main product.
2.Steel adapters rather than Aluminium.
3.Better geometry so less droop problem, and this means ball bearings don't fall out if you undo the gaiter cap screws in situ ( don't ask me how I know this happens with the Miller/Kelvedon kit ..and no, you can't just pop them back, you have to disassemble and repack the whole joint ...#*#*#*# grrhh !!!!!)
3.Better stud arrangement.

Tony