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Hey all

Does anyone know the axle lengths of the auto and manual 411/412's, relative to a beetle axle?

I know the auto is different lengths side to side, but just what are those lengths??

In the VW workshop booklet ("Without Guesswork") lengths are specified 2 ways: overall and between the inboard edges of the circlip grooves.

                           OVERALL   BETWEEN CIRCLIPS
Type I/III (4-spd)  415.5mm     405.3mm    
Type IV (4-spd)     435mm        433mm
Type IV (Auto)       435mm        427mm
Type III Auto LH    389.5mm     379.3mm
Type III Auto RH    439.5mm     427.3mm
Type II (4-spd)      476mm
Type II Auto LH      457mm
Type II Auto RH     505mm

The width of all CV outer races except Type IV is given as 32mm ±0.3mm; Type IV are 34mm ±0/3mm.
I/III inner races are 24mm wide; Type II and IV are 28mm.

I don't have any specs for Thing axles. Lacking any for a Beetle to which I'm fitting Type IV/Thing CVs, I chose to have the inner races of the CVs narrowed by 1mm on each side so they'd fit on normal Type I axles. That car has yet to hit the road but I expect it to work OK (I'm not after travel, it's a street car - just added strength).

Update 3/25/08 - my son just got a pair of Thing axles - as expected they have longer splines making them shorter between the CVs, but they're also somewhat shorter overall
Thing axle on top, Bug on bottom... the Thing looks longer here because they're lined up at the inner end of the splines; actually the overall length of the Thing axle is ~5mm less.

Marc, many thanks for the reply!