No drive

[Broadacus]

I have a 1984 Turbo Diesel Westy Joker. Yesterday while at a junction heard a loud crack and then had no drive. Van will not work in any gear. gear selection still seams the same, engine runs but I select 1st gear and lift the clutch and then nothing. Van was returned home via insurance on the back of a low loader. It is now sat on my drive. Do not really know what the next step would be, mobile mechanic? I live in south Manchester. Was due to be at Stanford Hall in the van today I am told the slave clutch cylinder may have gone

Any help would be appreciated

[MaddogsT25]

I wouldn't of thought the slave cylinder would of gone as you say that you can still go though the gears, but is that whilst the engine is running. I would of thought drive shaft bolts sheard or if all is good with the drive shafts then its either clutch or worst still gearbox internals.

[Broadacus]

Hi Maddogs,

Thank you for your reply. Abit more details. Was going up a steep hill at the time, was pulling out of a junction when I had to stop suddenly as a car came at speed. The van often jumped out of first gear only, this time there was a loud crack, I knew something was different and I had lost all drive. I can still select gears with or without the engine running but no drive. The car was returned home under insurance on a low loader, the problem I have now is that it is on my drive not able to move and I need to get it fixed. I am looking for someone in South Manchester area that can work on camper vans.

Cheers

[Oldiebut goodie]

Typical c/v symptoms - Get under the rear and take a look at them, you will most probably find that the/some bolts are missing on one, (usually one of the outer ones (- closest to the wheel) where people fail to torque them up correctly due to difficulty of access). Plenty of posts on replacing them.

[Broadacus]

Hi Oldiebut goodie,

Thank you for posting your reply. Will get under the van tomorrow to have a good look.

[CovKid]

Yep, heard that 'crack' noise too often. It'll be bolts and one outer driveshaft cv joint is no longer connected. Thats a barrel of laughs to fix. Have had it happen twice in pitch black and once in broad daylight at a busy junction. It won't happen ever again - I made sure of that.

Replace all six bolts with good quality (not 'bargain' bolts), make sure each has a friction washer underneath it and torque correctly - then go and check all the others too.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Then check that they are still tight after a few hundred miles. Luckily I was only 1/2 a mile from home when mine went.

[Ian Hulley]

Typical c/v symptoms - Get under the rear and take a look at them, you will most probably find that the/some bolts are missing on one,

I concurr with my learned friend.

Ian

[Broadacus]

Thanks to all who have posted, but just so I can wrap my head around what has happened, if it is the bolts that hold the CV, why does the van lose all drive to all the gears?

Many thanks

Broadacus

[CovKid]

Because even if just one drive is disconnected, all drive is lost.

[MaddogsT25]

Thanks to all who have posted, but just so I can wrap my head around what has happened, if it is the bolts that hold the CV, why does the van lose all drive to all the gears?

Many thanks

Broadacus

Because your gearbox has a differential, so basically if your drive shaft bolts have snapped that side of your gearbox will spin and the driveshaft that is still connected will not.

[Broadacus]

To all who have posted, many thanks, hopefully it is the CV bolts and will be fixed soon. This Forum has helped take a weight off my mind .

[bradders89]

I had the same not long ago. Horrible noises and could feel it through the van only i felt it for about a mile or so. It was the imput shaft through the gearbox. Sheered off and smashed the diff inside! If not your cvs drain your gearbox oil and look at the plug to see if theres lots of bits. If there is give aidan talbot a call! Hopefully its not for your wallets sake!

[Broadacus]

Hi All,

Thanks to everyone that posted. Have just collected the van this morning from the local garage. 5 CV bolts had sheered in the hub. Replaced with VW bolts and it also sailed through its MOT, so we are back on the road.

Would like to thanks everyone who takes the time to post replies on these forums, when this happened I had not got a clue as to what had happened and how to fix it. We thankfully took the correct steps in getting the van back home on a low loader and then getting it sorted out.
As only one side had been sorted with new bolts, the van will go back in to the garage to have the other side replaced with new VW bolts.

Many thanks
Broadacus

[bootie3367]

Good to know you got it sorted and thanks for posting up the solution/result.

Jon