Hi all
On the road now, well would be if wasn't torque steer.

Engine is 4EFTE EP82 1993

I now want to fit a layshaft to equalize the length of the drive shafts; there is approx 260 mm difference.

I have been told a Corolla 4AGE (ENGINE code AE101) will fit direct into standard starlet gearbox. But being in the UK, can't seem to find one, wondered whether an Avensis, Carina etc would be an alternative.

I wondered if any of you guys could help me, can you tell me the diameter and number of splines at the gearbox end drivers side.
I.E. the Yolk bit.

Thanks.
Ade

Won't help.

Look closely at EVERY aspect of your steering geomtry, tyre pressures, wheel off-sets and in particular any rubbers that are in the front tie bars and lower arms.

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Hi,

I have the layshaft in mine, it is from a 20v corolla as you said. But I think you may have dramas fitting it if you haven't taken the shaft length into account with the installation. It pretty much governs the side to side position of the engine. You may still end up with uneven driveshafts, just an even shorter one.

As already mentioned I would be looking at all the other factors that influence it first. After all the original starlet had uneven driveshafts and presumably they didn't toque-steer as your car does. The driveshaft length thing is a nice-to-have, but not a magic bullet for torque-steer.

Maybe try some narrower wheels and see what different that makes? But certainly a wheel alignment is a definite starting place.

Good luck.
Madmorrie

Understand what you are saying, although there was very little lateral position of where the engine could go.

Have seen this layshaft idea, want to give it a go, as well as full wheel alignment.

Have you got the number of splines and diameter at the gearbox end?

Thanks

Get the wheel alignment done first and get the scrub angle sorted.

And it is exactly as the same as the bucket you pull out of the gearbox.

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Simplify and add lightness

Ade, check out these two pics of the corolla shaft in the 4EFTE. Unless you could shorten the shaft I think it will give you issues. Anyway, yes the spline is the same as the normal CV shaft. Sorry I'm not sure the number of splines, but if the corolla and starlet are the same it would be a good bet that others are the same also.

The top pic is of my engine/layshaft. The number of splines and it is 23, and the splined section of the shaft is 25mm diameter.

I can't see how the standard length of the 4AGE shaft would give you issues. I have the engine (with layshaft) installed and just nipped out into the garage to measure it up - the edge of the layshaft CV cup sticks out only 10-15mm further than the (standard Starlet) CV cup on the other side of the diff. It's not like it sticks out 50mm further out and you end up with really sharp angles on the CV joint

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

The purpose of fitting this arrangement has absolutely NOTHING to do with torque steer, it is only to allow for full suspension travel without the diveshaft hitting other parts.

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Thanks Meerkat,
I agree. Just need to locate a driveshaft now! Thats how I want mine to look. I too seem to have the room to fit it.
I have copied the following from Wikipedia as to the causes of Torque Steer.

Root causes for torque steer are:[1]

Unequal driveshaft length (or more accurately, unequal driveshaft angles, also caused by body roll or single wheel bump)
Incorrect sidewall ply design allowing deformation of the tire sidewall.[2]
Nonsymmetric driveshaft angles, e.g. due to
Transient movement of the engine
Tolerances in engine mounts
Different driveshaft torques left to right (due to wheel bearing or differential problems)
Suspension geometry tolerances
Unequal traction forces due to road surface (µ-Split) in combination with kingpin offset

i really struggled finding one of these layshafts in Australia and even looked at purchasing one from Japan which would of been rather expensive.

i ended up buying one from a guy on a car forum in malaysia. he was happy to post to Australia so if you run out of options give him an email, he might do the same for you in the UK.

His name is Ivan.
email: [email protected]

Good luck.

Thanks Arjay,
I've got a few people looking in the UK, but as yet no luck, so may give him a try.

Thanks again

Looking at the photos of your car, I'd suggest that your problem may be related to scrub radius. The wheels your running seem to have a very negative offset, this will give you a very positive scrub radius which leads to torque steer and general instability. Perhaps try a more positive offset wheel first (even something like a rover cooper 12", if it will fit), easier than changing driveshafts!

Andrew