Z31 Driveshaft Information

The 1984 to 1989 300zx cars came with six different driveshaft configurations depending on body, transmission, and engine. The reason for the differences is each Transmission has their own unique slip-yoke on the driveshaft, and length of the drive shaft will vary per the body configuration.

Here is a list of the different Driveshafts used:

  • Automatic 2 seater
  • Early NA manual 2 seater 71C
  • Late NA manual 2 seater 71C
  • Early Turbo manual (T5)
  • Late 87+ turbo manual (90A)
  • Automatic, 2+2
  • NA Manual, 2+2


Manual Driveshaft Information







The universal joints are not the same size on the N/A vs Turbo driveshafts. The Turbo U- Joints are larger so you cannot simply swap yokes or differential flanges on the driveshaft.

There also are two different differential flanges:

  • Early style (rectangle) Part Number 38210-Y0800
  • Late all 87+ (round/square bolt pattern) Part Number 38210-10V00
You can swap the differential companion flange on the differential relatively easily with a steering wheel puller. Be sure to re-torque the pinion nut to 137-144 Ft Lbs after swapping the flange.

  • Length of slip yokes: 4.125"
  • Diameter of slip yokes:
    • FS5R30A - 1.625"
    • FS5R90A - 1.5"
    • FS6W71C - 1.375"


Automatic Driveshaft Information

There were 4 different Drive shafts used in automatic transmission Models. They were dependent on the Body style and Model year. I have listed them below.

Model Year Drive Shaft Length (from center to center of yoke) Differential Companion Flange
2 Seat 1984-1986 Coming Soon Rectangle
4 seat 1984-1986 34.75 in (882.65 mm) Rectangle
2 Seat 1987-1989 Coming Soon Square
4 seat 1987-1989 34.75 in (882.65 mm) Square



Sources used on this page:

  • 1984- 1988 Nissan 300ZX Factory Service Manual
  • Nissan Fast software
  • FS5R30A Image and FS5W71C 2+2 Image by GE
  • FS5R90A Image and FS5W71C Image By Jason Butts of z31performance.com
  • Z31 Wiki
  • AZ-ZBUM