Drive shaft adaptors

[roger001]

looking at Chris Richards recent photos, the newer drive shaft adaptors seem different to earlier ones, in that the recent ones have a step cut out on the inside of the outer joining surface, in addition the nearside flange appears thiner than the earlier flanges.

Is this to reduce the chance of drive shafts "bottoming out" which does happen on my car when laden and on right hand bends and roundabouts.

If this is a "fix" Iwould be interested in the newer dimensions in order to modify the existing adapters.

If anyone has a set like Chris' I would be grateful for the dimensions of the differences. ie the overall thickness of the nearside spacer, and the depth of the step on the inner aspect of the out side of the spacers, if you see what I mean.

[roger001]

Velly interesting...

Chris Richard has sent me the dimensions of the newer spacers, the nearside spacer has been reduced in width from 21mm to 12mm, and both sides have a 2mm step machined out of the inner edge of the outside of the spacers.

Can anyone confirm the rationale for this? as if it is to stop the "bottoming out" of the drive shafts it would be worth modifying older spacers to the same dimensions.

[chris.richard]

Assuming the old and new offside adapters are the same thickness, this means the new setup is narrower than the old one. Since it must also be symmetrical in the chassis, the new setup will also move the engine towards the nearside by 4.5mm. Not much, but it would help with the clearance of the thermostat / alternator.