Off Side Mk2 1.9 Drive Shaft Problem

[markanthony1986]

Hello everyone, whilst 10 miles into a 300 mile journey on the way home from holiday a few weeks ago (FULLY LOADED), a wasp flew into the car and so I pulled over to get the little f**ker out!

 

As I set off I thought I felt something crawling on my leg and so my reaction was that I lifted my foot of the clutch VERY quickly and have since been informed by the AA and a few mechanics that the drive shaft needs to be replaced.

 

My question to you all is this: What part of the driveshaft/car will most likely need to be replaced?

 

Here's an estimate for the work from a local mechanic, he mentioned that it could be a few parts that needed replacing;

 

[insanitybeard]

It sounds like your intermediate driveshaft (the offside shaft which runs from the gearbox along the back of the engine to the offside inner CV joint) splines have sheared which is a common fault, I wouldn't say those prices are O.T.T, when the splines shear two separate shafts require replacement- if they were quoting for genuine parts I reckon it'd be a whole lot more expensive than the prices you've been given! Edited August 18, 2014 by insanitybeard

[markanthony1986]

Hey insanitybeard thanks for the reply mate, would this be all that would be needed? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-GALAXY-1-9-TDi-COMPLETE-DRIVESHAFT-INNER-INTERMEDIATE-DRIVESHAFT-OFF-SIDE-/130895739594?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e79fe7aca or could something else need replacing.

[SilverBeast]

It would be but I have a J&R driveshaft (just the bottom bit in the listing) that i fitted a couple of years ago, that I believe is failing again.  I have another (as I bought 2) that I'll probably put on to get another 2 years, but I won't be getting any more.  Others have reported issues with fitting the cheaper drive shafts.  I'd probably let the garage fit them and ask them how long/many miles they will guarantee them for.  Changing isn't too difficult, though I haven't done the intermediate shaft (the bottom one in the listing).  Make sure you ask them to pack plenty of grease in the intermediate shaft joint (where the splines for the two halves join the shafts) as it seems one of the causes of failure is lack of this allowing it to wear faster.

If you intend to keep the car for some time, and want it to last it's worth installing the "Motomax Polish" driveshaft. See details about it here. You can order it from here

[chromedome]

Europarts did do GKN drive shafts which are brilliant. I fitted J&R and removed them within a week, rubbish.

[Wesley]

I have used J and R CV joints for many years and never had a problem. I have an 23 month old shaft on my galaxy with a leaky boot. I rang them Thursday for a new boot. They ended up sending my a full brand new shaft free of charge because the one on was less that 2 years old. It arrived less than 24 hours later.