Where to buy GKN driveshafts
Moderator: martauto
Hi all, anyone know where I can buy a pair of GKN drivehsafts for an E30? I can find sellers over in the states but not here. I've tried all the usual places like GSF/Eurocarparts etc
BMW E30 344i track car 
BMW F31 335d xdrive
BMW F31 335d xdrive
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

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- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
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Is this the right part number? for vehicle with ABS? Correct for my Cabby....
https://www.autodoc.de/autoteile/oem/33211226901
Paul
https://www.autodoc.de/autoteile/oem/33211226901
Paul
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
You can check using your VIN on realoem.com but yep 901 will fit a 325 caby with ABS
I've read some bad reviews on the cheaper driveshafts hence my search for GKN ones.
Charlie
I've read some bad reviews on the cheaper driveshafts hence my search for GKN ones.
Charlie
BMW E30 344i track car 
BMW F31 335d xdrive
BMW F31 335d xdrive
Thanks for the link BTW, they have the GKN described as "LÖBRO drive shaft"
https://www.autodoc.de/lobro/1385593
Charlie
https://www.autodoc.de/lobro/1385593
Charlie
BMW E30 344i track car 
BMW F31 335d xdrive
BMW F31 335d xdrive
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

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- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Auf dem Schnee: Germany
Yeah I think they are built using GKN parts - I bought the SKF ones - appear well made and a lot quieter than the clunky ones on the car right now -
god knows when I'll get time to install them!
Paul
god knows when I'll get time to install them!
Paul
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1541
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Auf dem Schnee: Germany
Here's the SKF shaft.
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
I've got exactly the same set sat here and they dont fit the output flange on my diff, just waiting to return them. What does the inner end on your SKF look like?
My SKF and my original
My SKF and my original
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BMW E30 344i track car 
BMW F31 335d xdrive
BMW F31 335d xdrive
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1541
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Auf dem Schnee: Germany
Here's mine
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the photo Paul, looks like mine's been labelled up as the VKJC1148 incorrectly then
I've raised the issue with the place I purchased so will see what they come back saying.
Have you changed driveshafts before? really easy on the E30.
Charlie
I've raised the issue with the place I purchased so will see what they come back saying.
Have you changed driveshafts before? really easy on the E30.
Charlie
BMW E30 344i track car 
BMW F31 335d xdrive
BMW F31 335d xdrive
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1541
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Auf dem Schnee: Germany
Yes, but I'm doing this as part of a bigger job - trailing arm bushes - rear brake flexi's - new rear bearings - backplates - the drive shafts and the off side handbrake cable, I did the other one done a few months ago.
I just have find a week with no travel to take the car off the road.
Paul
I just have find a week with no travel to take the car off the road.
Paul
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
Would love to see this documented!paultv wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2019 9:03 pmYes, but I'm doing this as part of a bigger job - trailing arm bushes - rear brake flexi's - new rear bearings - backplates - the drive shafts and the off side handbrake cable, I did the other one done a few months ago.
I just have find a week with no travel to take the car off the road.
Paul![]()
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staley_turbo
- E30 Zone Camper

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- Location: Leicester
Im also looking for GKN shafts so thanks for the link!
Does any one know who made the shafts originally for BMW?
Does any one know who made the shafts originally for BMW?
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1541
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Auf dem Schnee: Germany
Happy Xmas -
Well they are fine, although pretty tough to fit - the inner boot is strong and only allows you to fit one bolt at a time - then rotate for the next one - a bit of a pain - but they've served well so far..
no complaints.
Paul
Well they are fine, although pretty tough to fit - the inner boot is strong and only allows you to fit one bolt at a time - then rotate for the next one - a bit of a pain - but they've served well so far..
no complaints.
Paul
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1541
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Auf dem Schnee: Germany
Sure I bought mine from Autodoc - but I've looked at my purchase history and can't find them - the numbers tally just fine VKJC 1148
looks to be the one.... I think my history doesn't go back far enough.
They should have the narrow shoulder to fit correctly into the output shafts on the diff.
Paul
looks to be the one.... I think my history doesn't go back far enough.
They should have the narrow shoulder to fit correctly into the output shafts on the diff.
Paul
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
- chatstar123
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 138
- Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:00 pm
I bought the Spidan one from Autodoc a while back and has been good also. I believe they are owned by GKN.
Had a look at them. Seems they are remanufactured? Were yours?chatstar123 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 1:46 pmI bought the Spidan one from Autodoc a while back and has been good also. I believe they are owned by GKN.
Curious, why do you say this ?onthames wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:17 pmHad a look at them. Seems they are remanufactured? Were yours?chatstar123 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 1:46 pmI bought the Spidan one from Autodoc a while back and has been good also. I believe they are owned by GKN.
They look new to me but I`m open to views.
Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
Just got too old.
The GKN ones on Autodoc (spidan) say remanufactured right at the bottom of the descriptionmartauto wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 5:01 pmCurious, why do you say this ?onthames wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:17 pmHad a look at them. Seems they are remanufactured? Were yours?chatstar123 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 1:46 pmI bought the Spidan one from Autodoc a while back and has been good also. I believe they are owned by GKN.
They look new to me but I`m open to views.![]()
Mart.
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

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- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
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The ones I bought ( see photos earlier in thread ) were new - at least as far as I could tell !!
On Autodoc the Era and Spidan must be remanufactured as they have a core charge applied.
Paul
On Autodoc the Era and Spidan must be remanufactured as they have a core charge applied.
Paul
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
Yeah the skf ones are new I think. But I heard they changed the skf design and now it doesn't fit? I think someone here contacted tech support and the skf does not fit anymore unfortunately
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DanThe
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Ive had a pair of those skf from autodoc and didnt realise the inner was wrong until I had already fitted the outer and tried it into the diff output, they refused to take them back/exchange/refund, c**ts...
- chatstar123
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 138
- Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:00 pm
I don't remember but I assume so as there was a core charge. It looked brand new though.onthames wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:17 pmHad a look at them. Seems they are remanufactured? Were yours?chatstar123 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 1:46 pmI bought the Spidan one from Autodoc a while back and has been good also. I believe they are owned by GKN.
- paultv
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1541
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Auf dem Schnee: Germany
I must have been lucky...maybe earlier stock...but if they now don't fit they should be off the list.
Paul
Paul
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:
https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/



