Drive Shaft worn

[pingpal6]

Our 2010 140 California which has done 28000 miles is in for an MOT. Just had a health test video sent from the VW garage informing me that the drivers side drive shaft has excessive play and requires replacement. This doesn't effect the MOT, as its passed, but they are quoting £964.82 to replace. My questions are, is this excessively expensive and if I choose to get it replaced at a later time, what damage could this do to the van.
Thanks in advance

 

[Borris]

I'm no mechanic but that sounds unusual for a vehicle with only 28000 miles. Have you owned it from new?
Which part of the drive shaft has excessive play?
I'd be tempted to seek a second opinion and quote before giving the go ahead.

I should think that VW Guru is the chap to ask.

 

[westfalia]

My driveshaft went at 217,000kms left hand side cost about £810,71 in 2016,
driveshaft and inner stub.

If it goes you won't be driving anywhere but at only 28,000miles i cannot see it
being worn out.
It might just need greasing up.

 

[WelshGas]

My driveshaft went at 217,000kms left hand side cost about £810,71 in 2016,
driveshaft and inner stub.

If it goes you won't be driving anywhere but at only 28,000miles i cannot see it
being worn out.
It might just need greasing up.

Agree, but at 3,000 miles/year since 2010 this could have exacerbated wear.

 

[westfalia]

Agree, but at 3,000 miles/year since 2010 this could have exacerbated wear.

I doubt it.
If the shaft isn't driving then it cannot wear down.

 

[MartG]

Could the CV joint(s) not be replaced? I'd have thought less than £100 for parts and £200 labour?

edit - £330 from GSF for complete RH driveshaft, just needs fitting... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/438vg2230

if it's an outer CV joint, £79 plus fitting... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/439vg0901

Even cheaper on Eurocarparts, though not GKN quality...

 

[MartG]

Could be corrosion in the bearings with lack of use giving flat spots within the race? perished CV boots letting moisture in? Just guessing...

 

[westfalia]

Could be corrosion in the bearings with lack of use giving flat spots within the race? perished CV boots letting moisture in? Just guessing...

We need the guru to shed some light and convince me
that they're not made of cheese.
@VW Guru

 

[pingpal6]

Thanks folks for all the feedback. The health test video they sent, shows the drive shaft moving when the mechanic rotates it so I am assuming this is not normal.
This is the video they sent

The person I spoke to when picking up the van suggested it could be that the van is not used enough, anyway, as I am using it this week, it will have to wait. It will give me a chance to research further

 

[Loz]

Surely that is just play in the diff?

 

[Paulro]

My o/s drive shaft went 30 minutes before we were about to leave for Portsmouth and the ferry prior to an 8 week Europe trip. Lost drive on a steep hill in Bristol. The service manager at the time at Heritage VW guessed the problem over the phone, ordered one that arrived on Saturday morning and we rebooked and caught the ferry that night. I had no idea it was about to fail and I guess I’d prefer it failing here than in Europe. It’s expensive and I’d consider a Vw specialist for at least a quote.

 

[Loz]

If the part number matches, there’s a new one for sale on the T6Forum for £100

Sold - Brand Vw New Drive Shaft

ONE BRAND NEW never used genuine vw drive shaft PART NUMBER vw genuine 7E0 407 451 AX NEVER USED SORRY NO BOX £100 PICK UP NORTH EAST THANKS

www.t6forum.com

 

[pingpal6]

Surely that is just play in the diff?

That's the problem, I am ignorant regarding car mechanics it could be normal play. I have to trust that the VW dealership garage I go to are honest

 

[MartG]

Surely that is just play in the diff?

Agree - or the drive shaft splines, which should be hardened and not wear... be interesting to see if there was play rotating the shaft with respect to the wheel / hub... and compare the play with the other side (near side)...

 

[Volkywagen]

Do you notice any excessive vibrations when driving??

 

[NZCol]

Known fault with Transporters, drivers side drive shaft failures. Had one go before

 

[pingpal6]

Do you notice any excessive vibrations when driving??

I never noticed any difference in noise levels , vibrations etc, seems perfectly normal

 

[pingpal6]

Could the CV joint(s) not be replaced? I'd have thought less than £100 for parts and £200 labour?

edit - £330 from GSF for complete RH driveshaft, just needs fitting... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/438vg2230

if it's an outer CV joint, £79 plus fitting... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/439vg0901

Even cheaper on Eurocarparts, though not GKN quality...

VW garage Bilston Edinburgh are quoting

Could the CV joint(s) not be replaced? I'd have thought less than £100 for parts and £200 labour?

edit - £330 from GSF for complete RH driveshaft, just needs fitting... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/438vg2230

if it's an outer CV joint, £79 plus fitting... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/439vg0901

Even cheaper on Eurocarparts, though not GKN quality...

Could the CV joint(s) not be replaced? I'd have thought less than £100 for parts and £200 labour?

edit - £330 from GSF for complete RH driveshaft, just needs fitting... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/438vg2230

if it's an outer CV joint, £79 plus fitting... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/439vg0901

Even cheaper on Eurocarparts, though not GKN quality...

VW garage Bilston Edinburgh are quoting £924.82p. The person in reception informed me it would take 2.5 hours labour, now, I have no idea what the price of a drive shaft is, but even if half the cost was the par,t how much does the garage charge per hour for labour? Maybe I am just being naïve, it just seems excessive

 

[MartG]

You wouldn't notice as the drive takes up the 'slack' in the splines, no radial play to cause vibrations. You may notice a clonk as it engages drive.

I'd imagine this could be exacerbated by harsh drive / clutch engagement (on-off) and use of PARK to hold vehicle off the handbrake (on levelling ramps)? I have noticed disengaging PARK when it's holding, causes a 'not nice' sound and feels like its releasing the wound-up drive shafts!

 

[MartG]

VW garage Bilston Edinburgh are quoting £924.82p. The person in reception informed me it would take 2.5 hours labour, now, I have no idea what the price of a drive shaft is, but even if half the cost was the par,t how much does the garage charge per hour for labour? Maybe I am just being naïve, it just seems excessive

That's unfortunately about the right price for a VW dealership to replace... And they won't just replace a joint, it'll be the whole shaft assembly...

The cost is a lot more than I had first thought (compared to your 'normal' car)! GSF & Eurocarparts are quoting around £500 for an OEM driveshaft complete (VW would charge a bit more) plus the labour for fitting, which requires the wheel hub / suspension strut removed for access, this would add up to around the amount quoted I'm afraid.

If you want to save some money, you will find any garage would be able to tackle this fairly simple job, using the cheaper drive shaft (or just the worn joint / stub axle), however you'll still have a bill between £400-£750, and may not give you the same peace of mind that a qualified VW dealer has done the work.

If it's a known fault, might be worth asking the dealer for some good will? (good luck!)...

 

[WelshGas]

That's unfortunately about the right price for a VW dealership to replace...

The cost is a lot more than I had first thought (compared to your 'normal' car)! GSF & Eurocarparts are quoting around £500 for an OEM driveshaft complete (VW would charge a bit more) plus the labour for fitting, which requires the wheel hub / suspension strut removed for access, this would add up to around the amount quoted I'm afraid.

If you want to save some money, you will find any garage would be able to tackle this fairly simple job, using the cheaper drive shaft, however you'll still have a bill between £400-£750, and may not give you the same peace of mind that a qualified VW dealer has done the work.

If it's a known fault, might be worth asking the dealer for some good will? (good luck!)...

Also you get the 2 yrs Warranty from VW for the work.

 

[pingpal6]

You wouldn't notice as the drive takes up the 'slack' in the splines, no radial play to cause vibrations. You may notice a clonk as it engages drive.

I'd imagine this could be exacerbated by harsh drive / clutch engagement (on-off) and use of PARK to hold vehicle off the handbrake (on levelling ramps)? I have noticed disengaging PARK when it's holding, causes a 'not nice' sound and feels like its releasing the wound-up drive shafts!

We are going away for a few days so it will give me a chance to monitor the van and see if I can hear or feel anything abnormal, thanks

 

[pingpal6]

Also you get the 2 yrs Warranty from VW for the work.

Thanks for that, to be fair to the garage they have serviced it from new and I have had no complaints

 

[B J G]

This supplier has a range of differently priced parts depending on manufacturer. warranted for up to 2 years.

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[MartG]

This supplier has a range of differently priced parts depending on manufacturer. warranted for up to 2 years.

That's the route I'd take with an out of warranty vehicle. But, I'm handy with spanners and could use a garage with ramps over the road from me. To diagnose the exact part or take the simpler solution of replacing the whole shaft assembly, plus any parts required such as wheel hub nuts, stripped ball joints, etc, or not putting it back together properly, might just be worth the extra... and an independent garage will charge more for the parts than the factors will to the home mechanic.

Another concern is it could be wear within the 'female' diff splines instead / aswell as the stub shaft...