New Driveshaft for T5 California ?

[WelshGas]

I just imagined that the vibration was at slow speed/idling .

No, between 40 and 70 mph.

 

[westfalia]

No, between 40 and 70 mph.

Thanks. post #6

Wheel balancing?

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Hi,

I've had terrible shaking through drivetrain which seems likely is driveshaft having sent the camper to garage (Already tried wheel balancing and its through entire vehicle). They are not sure which (nearside or offside) driveshaft it is so trying near side first it seems...

I have a parts number from VW but am struggling to get the correct one, let alone at a decent price as specs seem to vary on BHP and lists arent showing ours at 184bhp.
I am waiting a call from driveshaft UK who were confident they could get it based on VIN...nothing yet.

VW part is £340 + VAT and although we got a quality aftermarket part it had the wrong number of splines on it...?

We are looking for 7E0 407 271 S (not sure if FIVE or SSSS) - Complete Nearside Driveshaft. There was also a barcode of 102 68 588 A 1128

Has anyone had any good experiences with a supplier or can point us in the right direction ? 'Vincent' would be very grateful!!

Thanks

Ed.

I had similar on my car. Turned out to be the Haldex drive system. Worth a check if your van is a 4Motion. If it is, you'll find a plug on the rear box, unplug it and go for a drive, the problem will be "gone".

 

[Ed Mardell]

I m thinking aloud here - if it's the flywheel the vibration should change with engine RPM as well as vehicle speed. So doing 70mph in 6th change to 4th & the vibration should be different.

Also if its the flywheel, dip the clutch whilst doing 70MPH & let the engine revs drop to idle. If its the flywheel it should stop the vibration straight away.

I still reckon the wheels are a 50/50 chance.

Could the original poster please also confirm its not a 4motion van is it?

No not 4Motion.

Thanks will try the tests as soon as back in my hands.

Ed.

 

[Dick]

A friend of mine had a similar problem with vibration under load at motorway speeds, it was in and out of the garage several times. The garage suggested changing the flywheel (180 flywheel is expensive) but tried new injectors and the problem was resolved.

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[Geesvw]

I thought normal symptoms of drive shaft failing was a lack of drive as the splines were too badly worn, prior to that they would be clonking as drive was taken up.

Can we have some more clues please - is the vibration the same at a given speed regardless of what gear you are in?

Have you got somewhere you can coast at high speed with it out of gear? if there's no load going through the shafts & it still vibrates I would be inclined to think its got to be the wheels.

Other posibilities I would suggest are a failing Flywheel or engine mount. Or even a slight misfire but would expect that to turn on the engine management light.

Euro car parts seem to list loads of different drive shafts with varying numbers of splines - the most expensive is about £250 cheapest about £80 & you can always get at least 50% off using a discount code. You should be able to count the splines on the old one?

I recently had a drive shaft go at a major road junction in Belgium, oh the patients of those drivers behind!! - cost me £1000 to get it fixed by a VW Commercial over there, just at the start of a holiday
My point is, if one of your drive shaft goes, it’s un-drivable

 

[Woldscali]

If the driveshaft fails, you will know about it! Mine went suddenly after ~ 100k miles, the only warning as such was a low volume rattling (no vibration,) for several weeks prior, that at the time I put down to a release bearing issue.
There are 2 drive shafts, 1 long, 1 short on my 2WD T5, and apparently it is common for the shorter of the 2 to fail eventually. Fixed at VW Commercial centre Camberley, total cost ~£700

 

[NickD]

We had a similar problem on our Audi A6 Quattro and it turned out that the tracking was way out. I think the 4wd makes it more sensitive to such issues.

It took ages to diagnose because one of the tracking adjustment bolts was seized. We had various garages tell us it was the tyres or brakes or alloys or suspension.

 

[Ed Mardell]

Well what a fun day...

It seems now very likely I have found the issue ! The driveshaft replacement didnt help but if you find your driveshaft is coming up as wrong number of splines then try Driveshaft UK as they did find me the right one for £190 inc vat which was excellent value and £80 to fit.

So I went to tyre fitters to swap over the wheels for originals and get called over by the fitter. Seems he spotted straight away....they are aftermarket wheels, actually BMW M Sport and there is no spigot on them to bring down the size to fit VW !

I cant quite believe it as this was some time back...My other half went to Kwik-fit to see what we would need, they said they fitted directly and certainly hole pattern was right, on they went with no problems. I assumed they were generic German, right holes and I guessed as checked must be right diameter. Nope.

So round town and local trips nothing much manifested itself...not until much later on longer motorway journey with really hard responses to work out.

He showed me the gap...wheels actually clack/rattle on fitting, OEM ones push straight on !

Now these were fitted incorrectly, have been serviced by VW, have been winter checked and all off by VW, have been balanced twice (once by company that found it today), have been off for investigations with my local mechanic and then for driveshaft to be replaced...and NO-ONE spotted or mentioned !!!

Staggered is not the word. Fitter even showed me that holes don't fully align given the spacing but said it is safe as bolted on 5 times but....WILL VIBRATE...yes I've found that one !

So...went to get spigots for the BMW wheels, seems not easy to get from the size drop. I have been given numbers to find on internet but...also as they are not commercial wheels I was advised that load rating will not be right so not ideal but they have never seen any go.
[I am told they are 'either' 72.6mm down to 65.1mm VW end OR 74.1MM down to 65.1mm]

I am glad we've found the issue...well seems almost definite but I cant prove as cant yet get spigots...I am disappointed noone spotted with all those checks...annoyed I trusted wheels but I am no mechanic...the wheels themselves aren't actually to blame at all...and now once again looking at whether safer to buy new properly load rated replacements from TSW or the like ?

Thanks everyone for contributing and any recommendations for wheels would be appreciated

Ed

 

[s2bear]

Fantastic news that you’ve found the issue! Try Prestige Wheel centre - I bet they can find you a set of spigots.
If they’re BMW ‘X’ something wheels they may well be load rated. The load rating should be stamped on the inside of the wheel in Kg. I think you need 810kg rating or more if I remember correctly.
Good luck.


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[WelshGas]

Well what a fun day...

It seems now very likely I have found the issue ! The driveshaft replacement didnt help but if you find your driveshaft is coming up as wrong number of splines then try Driveshaft UK as they did find me the right one for £190 inc vat which was excellent value and £80 to fit.

So I went to tyre fitters to swap over the wheels for originals and get called over by the fitter. Seems he spotted straight away....they are aftermarket wheels, actually BMW M Sport and there is no spigot on them to bring down the size to fit VW !

I cant quite believe it as this was some time back...My other half went to Kwik-fit to see what we would need, they said they fitted directly and certainly hole pattern was right, on they went with no problems. I assumed they were generic German, right holes and I guessed as checked must be right diameter. Nope.

So round town and local trips nothing much manifested itself...not until much later on longer motorway journey with really hard responses to work out.

He showed me the gap...wheels actually clack/rattle on fitting, OEM ones push straight on !

Now these were fitted incorrectly, have been serviced by VW, have been winter checked and all off by VW, have been balanced twice (once by company that found it today), have been off for investigations with my local mechanic and then for driveshaft to be replaced...and NO-ONE spotted or mentioned !!!

Staggered is not the word. Fitter even showed me that holes don't fully align given the spacing but said it is safe as bolted on 5 times but....WILL VIBRATE...yes I've found that one !

So...went to get spigots for the BMW wheels, seems not easy to get from the size drop. I have been given numbers to find on internet but...also as they are not commercial wheels I was advised that load rating will not be right so not ideal but they have never seen any go.
[I am told they are 'either' 72.6mm down to 65.1mm VW end OR 74.1MM down to 65.1mm]

I am glad we've found the issue...well seems almost definite but I cant prove as cant yet get spigots...I am disappointed noone spotted with all those checks...annoyed I trusted wheels but I am no mechanic...the wheels themselves aren't actually to blame at all...and now once again looking at whether safer to buy new properly load rated replacements from TSW or the like ?

Thanks everyone for contributing and any recommendations for wheels would be appreciated

Ed

Thank you for reporting back. Glad you’ve found the cause and hope it’s sorted soon.

 

[westfalia]

I cant quite believe it as this was some time back...My other half went to Kwik-fit to see what we would need, they said they fitted directly and certainly hole pattern was right, on they went with no problems. I assumed they were generic German, right holes and I guessed as checked must be right diameter. Nope.

Kwik fit and assuming. You know what assuming does?
BMW wheels and a VW.

Thank god that I'm in a land where things must be correct.

 

[2into1]

Thank god that I'm in a land where things must be correct

Just to expand what @westfalia is saying : in Germany I believe the annual MOT type check is very thorough, including checking that the wheels are correct for the vehicle. I was after a set of 16" alloys for my old T4 once and a friendly German Westy owner was able to find me the correct part number for his wheels from his 'mot' file. All in all rather different to the UK where we just buy and fit whatever we fancy from ebay and no one checks until it all goes wrong.

 

[AlanC]

Would a set of official VW Load Rated 17" wheels with tyres from this forum not be a better bet?

Alan

 

[WelshGas]

Just to expand what @westfalia is saying : in Germany I believe the annual MOT type check is very thorough, including checking that the wheels are correct for the vehicle. I was after a set of 16" alloys for my old T4 once and a friendly German Westy owner was able to find me the correct part number for his wheels from his 'mot' file. All in all rather different to the UK where we just buy and fit whatever we fancy from ebay and no one checks until it all goes wrong.

There is a thread, on another Forum, about certain wheels on a T4 or 5 until it was pointed out that they were from a VW Polo and nowhere suitable for a 3 ton Van, and such vehicles are allowed on U.K. roads . A hazard to all.

 

[jts46]

Are the wheels also fitted with m sport low profile tyres?

 

[Ed Mardell]

I appreciate the comments but its not a case of being careless, we were not aware of the load rating issue and the wheels actually came off a VW T5 ! I looked specifically for this as wanted something that would work and didnt know till afterwards that they were BMW alloys.

I appreciate the feeling regarding Kwik fit but these have also been inspected by VW on several occasions (including a requested all over inspection before a 3000 mile trip!), by a reputable local tyre company and a local mechanic (who is normally good!)

We try to do things by the book and thats why I am now looking to swap out the wheels at considerable cost for properly load rated brand new items. You can but learn and the point of these forums for me is to share information when people are stuck and from my perspective feedback the outcome so others dont have the same issues and can diagnose - rather than simply go quiet.

Most people have been really helpful as everyone my end was stumped and we got to the solution ( I hope!).

At the end of the day, if we were all experts then no-one would need help

 

[Ed Mardell]

Are the wheels also fitted with m sport low profile tyres?

Hi, they are fitted with new ones of these:

4 x Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 255/45 R18 Y (103), Reinforced, Asymmetrical

And as I look...it would seem they are 18" not 17" lol.

Thanks

Ed.

 

[westfalia]

I appreciate the comments but its not a case of being careless, we were not aware of the load rating issue and the wheels actually came off a VW T5 ! I looked specifically for this as wanted something that would work and didnt know till afterwards that they were BMW alloys.

You might be okay with the load rating of the wheels, the tyres at 103 are okay.
If you really wanted those wheels on the van then i would say get in touch with
a VW wheel specialist and he should be able to supply the parts needed.

Are they off an x5?
Any pics?

 

[Ed Mardell]

You might be okay with the load rating of the wheels, the tyres at 103 are okay.
If you really wanted those wheels on the van then i would say get in touch with
a VW wheel specialist and he should be able to supply the parts needed.

Are they off an x5?
Any pics?

Yes I'm in two minds on keeping. Several I have looked at from BMW were highly rated and very close but not quite the right numbers. I have the spigots now (aluminium ones as that seem to arguably be better ?!) so at least for now they will fit properly when I get to install them.

Not sure which BMW they are from, shame as can see where you are going with that...apparently from trawling older BMW X's are preferable as lighter new ones had lower load ratings !

Attaching pic.

Ed.

 

[westfalia]

There should be a code number on the alloys, if you can get that maybe
you can research to see the max weight.

I think the borderline is 816kg on a cali ( don't quote me )

 

[Ed Mardell]

There should be a code number on the alloys, if you can get that maybe
you can research to see the max weight.

I think the borderline is 816kg on a cali ( don't quote me )

Using my best gynaecological skills I have felt around and cant find anything yet. Some people are claiming a lot of OEM BMW wheels dont have them but I will check when they come off for temporary spigots.

Load number is similar to what I have (half the max axle weight in engine bay plate) and I am seeing that a lot of M Sport can be 750+

Ed.

 

[westfalia]

I got some sport line wheels in the UK and brought them to germany to be fitted,
the procedure is that if your choice of wheels are not stamped on your logbook
then they have to be certified at the TÜV place.

Luckily for me the sport line wheels had a 7h number that can be seen on the rim, this
made it a bit easier for me.
Thats why i mentioned looking for a number.

I think you might be a bit underrated there Ed, with 750+ its a heavy thing, the cali,
so you really need the load rating.

 

[s2bear]

My highest rated axle is 1620kg so wheels need to be 810kg minimum load rating. You can find the axle ratings on your certificate of conformity if you have it. That’s on a 4motion Beach but guessing the Ocean is the same as the gross permissible weight is the same - Best to check though.

Is the load rating in Kg not stamped on the inside of the wheel?

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