This is basically to settle curiousity more than anything. I have a handful of n/a driveshafts right now and out of the lot of them only one has a collar around the piece that inserts into the trans. I know for a fact that the others came out of s5 n/a's but every picture I can find shows n/a driveshafts as having that collar. I had one guy tell em the others are first gen shafts and another guy tell me they are automatic shafts, but I have enevr owned either.

If anyone has any idea what could be going on I would greatly appreciate the input.

 

When I got my driveshaft made (TII trans, NA rear) the driveshaft shop guy cut my collar off. He said it wasn't necessary, and it had to come off so he could balance it. If your DS has had the u-joints replaced, that may be why. Otherwise, IDK.

 

It's just a protective cover. It can help keep dirt out of the rear seal.

 

But does it come off so easily that I would have so many without it?

 

Many times they are cut off for various reasons. If the U-joints were replaced then it is likely the shop took it off. "Helpful" mechanics may have removed it during a clutch job, etc.

 

Thank for the info guys.

 

I thought you couldn't replace u-joints on stock driveshafts until recently?

 

I took mine to two shops. They wont touch mine