Driveshafts in a swap is a simple but necessary part that can come in MANY different forms. There are various styles of drive shaft joints, sizes, yokes, flanges, adapters. Below Is a quick overview of common parts
- U joint
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/u-joint_7d842aa4-93f9-4214-b27e-43b5bfebc9bf.png?v=1704220623)
- Slip Yoke
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/slip-yoke_ca03e04d-6f33-42ad-924e-15bd42bfef41.jpg?v=1704220628)
- Fixed Yoke
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/fixed-yoke_cc9a0ebf-2c0d-44c0-bbbe-14149bda9a22.png?v=1704220634)
- Guibo Joint
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/Guibo-joint_50f3cd06-3e72-48ae-8b49-1d59c14170a6.jpg?v=1704220640)
- Companion Flange
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/companion-flange_091b03b3-ebc8-4e7e-866e-09b25adf7485.jpg?v=1704220646)
- Single Piece Fixed Driveshaft
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/single-piece-driveshaft_33b8296a-1e50-40cb-8d30-8ce6f1db4d14.jpg?v=1704220651)
- Steel Slip single piece driveshaft
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/steel-slip-driveshaft_17bd6bc1-23de-4053-bd45-8e6f4b32b410.jpg?v=1704220657)
- Aluminum Slip driveshaft
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/aluminum-slip-driveshaft_77ba5323-9479-40f9-a3c1-20b08f41b404.jpg?v=1704220662)
Typical driveshaft types used in e9x swaps are as follows
- Modified stock drive shaft: Keep the factory shaft and simply adapt the front section to match the new transmission. This can be difficult to find a shop that will modify the front section of the BMW driveshaft since they don't have a good way to balance it.
- Single piece fixed drive shaft: This shaft will be used in transmissions with a slip yoke. Since there is slip at the transmission the shaft can be a fixed length. These are available in steel, aluminum, carbon fiber.
- Single piece slip driveshaft: This shaft will be used in applications that have a fixed transmission yoke (tr6060, cts-v t56) Since there is no slip at the transmission there must be slip in the shaft to allow installation and movement.
Drive Line Angle
Driveline angle in a single piece driveshaft with u joints is important to keep vibration down. Shimming of the transmission up may be required on your application.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0680/6254/4093/files/pinion_angle_bad_angles_a8f4bace-fbcd-4eb7-a8ab-a53708b94a7c.png?v=1704220668)
Driveshaft Source
Driveshafts can be sourced from many different suppliers. I always recommend using a local driveline shop if available. Check or ask local hotrod shops or 4x4 shops who they use. If you cannot find a local shop, custom driveshafts are available on big parts suppliers like Summit racing, Drive shaft shop, Strange Engineering, dennys drive shaft, Fabbot and many more.