Nissan Skyline CV Joints Replacement Parts

CV joints exist on Skyline variants with front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive layouts, but the Skyline's drivetrain history is mixed: the R32, R33, and R34 generations (roughly 1989–2002) were offered in rear-wheel-drive and the famous ATTESA ET-S four-wheel-drive GT-R versions, and only the 4WD variants carry front CV joints in the conventional sense. The rear-wheel-drive variants use CV joints at the rear driveshafts rather than at the front, so the part does exist across the range but its location and specification vary significantly by drivetrain. When sourcing from a breaker, confirm whether your car is the GT-R (4WD) or a rear-wheel-drive variant and specify which axle you need — front or rear — to make sure you get the correct joint.

The R33 and R34 are distinct generations with different subframe and driveshaft specifications, so fitment across this boundary is not guaranteed even where the drivetrain layout looks similar. Both generations were offered in RWD and GT-R 4WD forms, but driveshaft lengths, spline counts, and joint sizes can differ between them. Name the generation boundary to your breaker and ask them to verify the part number against your registration before purchasing — never assume R33 parts cross directly to R34.

Engine size and power output can influence driveshaft and CV joint specification, as higher-torque applications typically require more robust joints rated for greater load. The GT-R's RB26DETT twin-turbo engine produces significantly more torque than the RB20 or RB25 units found in other variants, and the associated driveshafts and CV joints are not the same components. Always tell your breaker your exact engine code as well as your generation so they can match the correct joint specification to your car.

In this case, trim level does matter beyond cosmetics because GT and GT-R are not just appearance grades — they represent fundamentally different drivetrain layouts, with the GT-R being four-wheel drive and standard GT variants being rear-wheel drive. This means the CV joint arrangement, quantity, and specification are genuinely different between these variants rather than being an interchangeable part with a cosmetic difference. Make clear to your breaker whether your car is a GT-R or a non-GT-R variant, as supplying the wrong drivetrain's joints will result in parts that simply do not fit.

Yes, side matters: driveshafts on most vehicles are different lengths on the nearside (NS, left) and offside (OS, right) to account for the differential position, and this applies to the Skyline's rear driveshafts on RWD models and to both axles on GT-R 4WD models. Always specify NS or OS when contacting a breaker, and if you are unsure which side is which, NS is the passenger side and OS is the driver's side in a UK right-hand-drive car. Supplying the wrong side risks a driveshaft that is the incorrect length, so confirm this before the breaker pulls the part.

Many Skylines in the UK are Japanese domestic market imports rather than officially UK-specification cars, and while the mechanical components are often identical, there can be subtle differences in specification that affect interchangeability. Because UK Skylines cover a wide mix of import histories and build dates, the safest approach is to give the breaker your VIN or registration and let them cross-reference the part rather than assuming any two same-generation Skylines will share identical driveshaft and CV joint specs. This is especially worth checking if your car has been modified, as uprated driveshafts and CV joints are common on tuned Skylines and a used part from a standard car may not suit a modified application.