axle question
 

I have an 89 na z31 and an 83 280zx turbo

I know the diff is the same, I was curious if the axles are identical aswell.

No way

would you mind elaborating on that?

two different cars. two different body styles. use common sense dude

First Google machine result:

Differential / CV / LSD / HP / Torque / R160 / R180 / R200 / R230 / Diff Mount FAQ - Drivetrain - HybridZ

Z31 cv's:

http://album.hybridz.org/data/500/cv21.JPG

280ZXT cv's:

http://album.hybridz.org/data/500/IMG_15411.JPG

my mistake i guess i neglected one important detail.

i already knew they wouldnt be identical, what i mean is would they be applicable in an lsd conversion with a q45 lsd.

i am looking to combine the 280 axles with the q45 axles to work in the z31.

sorry for not explaining further i appreciate everyones input.

Isn't the Q45 a short nose?

yes but the r200 diff case will fit the innards and axle stubs from the q45, so then all i need is to make some hybrid axles from q45 and either z31 or 280z axles.

it would just be convienient if i could use 280 axles because i only have one z31 and i dont feel like:
1. getting extra z31 axles
2. disabling my car until the hybrid axles and diff swap is ready to go in the car.

The 280ZX CVs are a different type than the 300ZX. IIRC the 300ZX is either more rugged or can handle a greater angle change than the 280ZX. Keep us posted on your progress as this may be a good swap for the NA guys....

whats kinda interesting is the z31 shafts look like the same ish bolt pattern as the flange on an na outter. ive just stuck with my breakable u joints but prolly will need the upgrade one day

been hard at work collecting the funding for a few other projects but i finally got around to attempting the swap. i have everything currently apart and one hybrid axle made. in this writeup >XenonZ31 Hybrid VLSD Install i used method 4 which involves cutting of the shaft and then welding of the race to the shaft and on the other side apparently only welding... i have done the cutting and welding first and have one bolted in. whether exactly either axle will fit once the welding is complete im not sure, but i have done everything according to the writeup (which is extremely vague in this particular section) and have done a lot of measuring. here are some pictures of what i have completed thus far in case anyone is looking for some references.

this is what the axles are supposed to look like when completed.
http://imageshack.us/a/img90/5650/s8w.png

final pass on the bottom of the axle.
http://imageshack.us/a/img507/694/jdb0.jpg

the noted amount that was removed.
http://imageshack.us/a/img822/6334/n3bo.jpg

this is the j30 diff in the z31 longnose case.
http://imageshack.us/a/img94/6819/qkqv.jpg

Your welds look amazing, but it scares the crap out of me when hardened metals rotating at high speeds get welded!

I know guys that are running welded modified axels. I think the hardening is key for the splines themselves.... Get a good bevel on the axel before you weld an it gives you good "penetration". Those welds do look nice!

i been driving around with this lsd setup in my car for about 4 months and the axles and everything are holding up just fine.

i appreciate the kind words on my welds i did bevel the edges and even filled the spline gaps with peices of filler for added strength :thumbsup:

the 280 turbo axles look suspiciously similar to the z31 tripod axles. they both have the 2x6 bolt pattern for the hub. if i find that the z31 and 280 axles are similar in length i may just have what i need and my initial suspicion would be confirmed.