Driveshaft horror

[Cafnod]

Hi everyone and please accept my apologies if this question has been raised previously.
We bought a 1986 1.6 TD Camper today, drove it thirty of the 70 miles home and then lost all drive. Inspection showed six ball bearings under the van. It is the inner CV joint that has broken on the passenger side.
The AA finally got us home 4 3/4 hours after calling them. All in all not a pleasant day.
1. Do driveshafts fail without warning and with no sign of any wear, this vehicle had done less than fifty miles since a very recent MOT.
2 Are the driveshafts different depending on which side and type of engine/gearbox? Our vehicle is a five speed manual.
3 What work is involved in changing a driveshaft?

[sandwedge]

drive shaft should be ok just replace the cv joint/s, and rubber gaiters if split.
Not a bad job to do at home just messy. The hardest thing is getting the retaining clip that holds the joint on the shaft back on.

[Fritz]

Dear Cafnod, please don't be put off by this experience, all it shows is the last fool who fiddled with your vehicle isn't a proper mechanic or you are just simply unlucky.....

No blame can be placed on the Nominated Tester as he/she can only make any checks/inspection visually.....

I would have to say drive shafts don't tend to fail suddenly, generally their is some sort of noisey warning before anything should let go....

Both shafts appear to be the same length and are easily fitted provided you repack them with loads of Graphite Grease before installing.

My personal tip is replace any worn looking securing bolts, and use good quality tools to ensure all the mounting bolts are secure......

Regards,


Fritz,,,,,,,,,,

BTW,,,,,,Welcome to 80-90.....

[Cafnod]

Hi and thanks for the replies.
I have spoken to the seller this morning and he had the work carried out by a VW camper specialist of many years standing who has just replaced the original gearbox in the van I bought because third gear had gone. Therefore the specialist had removed and replaced both driveshafts in order to change the gearbox. The vehicle has travelled approximately 50 miles under its own power since this work and the MOT inspection.
CV joints normally only fail due to slackness which should be detctable as play when inspected.
I have also found three (admittedly minor) points which should have been grounds for the refusal of a MOT certificate.
So I am wondering what else may have been overlooked by the testing station and the specialist who carried out the pre mot work.
I am waiting for the seller to speak with the garage and intend going to see a friend of long standing at his testing station on monday morning to enquire about putting in a complaint to VOSA .
My problem is that I have been told not to touch the vehicle mechanically until it has been inspected but it is undrivable. I am not sure what happens under such circumstances.

[CovKid]

MOT testers don't test for worn CVs to my knowledge - only split rubber gaiters. Joints and connertions on suspension and steering yes, but driveshafts no as they can be difficult to detect unless they are cleary fooked. Not specifically a safety part either.

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m3s02000501.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[billy739]

only front shafts (steered wheels)will be tested on mot , so our vans arent included , gate or joints nowt to do with mot!

i had one go a few years ago , just pulled of from a set of lights when i lost drive, turned out the splines had stripped on the main shaft!

the shafts do not need to be removed completely to change the gear box, only one end!

the joints are all the same, so are 2wd manual driveshafts, autos have different length shafts , but joints are still the same.

[toomanytoys]

Mmm.. difficult to say... but it could have failed that quick, I would have expected some knocking and clunking before it did though.. did it?

Also, can you fill out your profile so we know where in the world you might be, could be a member or specialist that can help out at some point..