The Autumn from hell....Front drive shaft splines let go!

[TriX5]

So, the last few weeks have been complete misery....after the tension strut bushings, the half shaft boots and the fuel filter/gas pump saga, today the front shaft TC splines let go. What else could go wrong...maybe don't answer that! :-) When the engine was out I cleaned the splines and greased them. Everything seemed ok. Apparently I was wrong.

The best way seems to be getting the Cobra Shaft (length = +1") but according to the write up by ///Monster123 this can't be fitted on the car without slacking off the TC from the transmission by a 1/4". This was also the conclusion of a gent on Youtube (Snake & Fire) who bought the longer splined bit, welds it to his drive shaft thus adding an inch only to find he can't get the shaft back in. He has the 1/4" problem which he overcomes by grinding the weld off and then re-welding with the shaft and splines installed already.

So now I have a choice of three options I guess:

1. Buy the cobra shaft and bite the bullet. It will be properly welded and balanced I guess but requires the removal of exhaust, rear drive shaft and cross member to get to the TC bolts according to ///Monster123's write up.

2. Buy the splined bit and rent a welder to spot weld it on the car. Then go to a shop to get it welded on completely. (Alternative to spot welds is drill it and put two bolts trough as a temporary connection and then get it welded).

3. Buy the splined bit and have a drive shaft shop weld it in 3/4" longer rather than 1" longer, then insert a (quarter inch?) spacer between the flex disc and the diff drive flange. (I'm trying to find the Ebay item but so far haven't found it, nor the thread on XO that refers to it.) EDIT: Here is the 15mm spacer. https://www.ebay.com/itm/25519558026...580262&vxp=mtr

Options 1 & 2 are sort of semi-permanent, any sub-sequent work on the shaft will require splitting the TC from the trans, splitting the trans from the engine or dismounting the diff from the upper oil pan. Option 3 will require finding a spacer or putting in the elbow grease to produce one.

I am weary of the 2-piece shaft, seems a good way to introduce a new failure point or a source of vibrations. Anything else I could do or have missed in the above?

On top of all that; finding a shop in my part of the world that has both the skills and the inclination to weld this item is going to be a nightmare....