So I got a VLSD from a 180SX...I want to put it in my S13. The diff has 5-bolt output shafts, and came with only one axle. The axle measures 23.5 inches at rest....so I am assuming it is a drivers side JDM S13, or J30 axle. I dont want to use a J30 passenger side axle because of the length difference. So I went to pull a set of output shafts from a 6 bolt J30 diff. But it turns out they are about 1/4 inch longer than the S13s outputs. All the grooves and splines seem to match up...It looks like the length difference is all in the oil seal surface. So, despite the dust cover not seating all the way, this output shaft should work and not leak right? In my mind this seems like a better idea than using an axle that is 1/2 inch too long....this way I only have an extra 1/4 inch of axle.

Anyone done this before? Here are some pics of the shafts and the result...

S13 output



J30 output


J30 installed in diff....stock diff housing to axle flange measures 2 inches, not 2 and 1/4.

 

I dont know shit about 180's, but... When i replaced my seals on my diff, the axle stubs didnt seem to look right when seated. They looked like your last photo. The shield didnt seem to protect much, but the stub was inserted as far as it would go. After putting a minimum of 200 miles on my car since then, no problems so far w/ leakage. I would presume that as long as your stubs all have the same girth at the seal, everything would be ok in that area. I would see which axle,
(s13/j30) would have the adequate fitment per length.


Just my 2 cents

 

^Hm ok well what diff do you have in your car? And which output shafts? 5 bolt or 6?

Im assuming it will work, because it does in fact seat and lock....everything measures the same on the inside of the oil seal. The difference in length appears to come from the oil seal surface, not any of the splined part or whatev.

I guess Ill just try it out, and see if that 1/4 inch matters. Im gonna have the whole subframe out when I put it in so I suppose I can easily check for bind...

If this doesnt work I think my only other option is to get a z32 na drivers side axle, and use the 5 bolt output on the passenger side.

Input anyone?

 

s13 w/ 6 bolt axles.

Not sure if you are aware of this, but where the axle bolts to the stubs, that section of the axle itself has some sort of spring load on it to ensure proper length/fitment. Im pretty sure that you could make things work w/ the j30 stubs and s13 axles. It would be a tight squeeze trying to get the axles seated. The only thing that might/would be a concern would be the "spring" load tension on the axles.

 

Well, everything is installed, the axle did not seem to bind up while articulating the suspension with the shock unbolted...all is good so far.

For now I am using a 5-bolt drivers side output with j30 axle, and a 6 bolt j30 output with an s13 axle on the passenger side. lol. We'll see how this goes.

Tomorrow Im installing new rear lower control arm bushings and ball joints, then Ill take it for a test drive..