snapped a shaft, any ideas on stronger ones

[jerseypug]

https://youtu.be/8pnMB8Hz_x8

[keithr]

I snapped several E36 M3 Evo shafts on my E36 coupe rally car both on gravel and tarmac. Shaft plunge etc was all checked and OK. Always snapped on outer end where dia was reduced for the circlip. Last straw was another Evo driveshaft failure 3 miles from the start on the 2019 Vetomies event in Finland. After travelling 1,500 miles to get there from Aberdeen this was a real sore one to take as had fitted a pair of fresh std Evo shafts before event. Decided to get the shaft issue sorted so after investigation I spoke to Richard Shaw at Laranca Engineering. They have history of building and running BMW's. I sent Richard a pair of the Evo shafts. He reused the parts he needed and made new shafts from higher grade steel. His comment was that BMW are experts at making good standard shafts from rubbish steel. The upgraded shafts were not cheap but neither is failing to finish events due to shaft issues. I also had an event coming up and wasn't sure how long Laranca were going to take to deliver their shafts so I also found a company is USA The Driveshaft Shop who had a pair of upgraded shafts in stock. I ordered these and fitted them to the car. Build quality of these shafts was very good. These shafts were in the car when I sold it last year and on the events the car has done since have not heard of any driveshaft issues. I did get the upgraded shafts from Richard at Laranca Engineering which I still have.

[jerseypug]

Thanks for that, i have bought some e34/e12 shafts e34 hubs and e36 m3 diff output hubs. hopefully these will be much stronger