hoarec

Active Member
Just checked out a strange rattling/knocking/vibration and discovered that the front prop Universal Joint is knackered still holding together though (just).

Questions

1 - Can I remove the front prop shaft and still drive it (temporarily) until I replace?

2 - Do I just need to replace the UJ's or the prop shaft as is it likey to have damaged the faces on the propshaft?

3 - the end that is gone is the front end by the front diff, the flange on the diff seems to have a little bit of play on it, is there a bearing or oil seal in there that needs to be replaced at the same time?

Many thanks in advance

Chris
 
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You can drive it with the front prop off
think all you need to replace is ujs
Carnt help with other bits sorry
 
You can drive it but it will eventually knacker the VCU if you drive it a lot. Check the VCU is not seized as that may be what as done for your UJ if it's not lack of lubrication on services.
 
Agree with the others about the prop - all you need to replace are the UJs, rather than the whole thing. You will also need new propshaft nuts, and possibly bolts too.

And do check the VCU, or you may be replacing the UJs again soon...

Play in the diff may indicate that the diff bearing has gone. See if there's any metal on the drain plug... You can get the diff reconditioned, but if you need both diff and VCU done prepare for a sizeable bill, especially if you don't do the labour yourself :(
 
How do i check if the VCU is OK? I managed to get the prop shaft off tonight, and the front joint is knackered to the point where i have now ordered a complete new prop.....Also when you say I can drive it, but not too much, how much is too much?
 
The vcu takes quite alot of strength to turn it
I used the wheel brace with the jack handle slipped on it for extra
Leverage.
 
OK thanks, I was trying to turn the wheel with my hands to get the prop to turn so I could access all the bolts...... was getting slightly worried.

Anyhow.....managed to get the prop off (and now ordered a new one) but could not remove the bolts from the rear of the prop shaft. I removed the nuts but the bolts did not appear to have enough clearance behind to be removed from the holes...I just put the nuts back on and tightenend them up and wrapped some insulating tape around them so that they would not flap around......

Any ideas or am I missing something obvious it was dark under the car last night...
 
Typical.....ok I have ordered new nuts & bolts to go with new prop, do I REALLY need to replace the rear bolts or just the nyloc nuts? or is it easy enough to remove the flange, bearing in mind I am working under the car on wading height on a main road....
 
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It still scares me climbing under 2+ tons of car - dunno why - it's not as if I'm going to lift a one ton car off me after an incident!!
 
Agree with the others about the prop - all you need to replace are the UJs, rather than the whole thing. You will also need new propshaft nuts, and possibly bolts too.

And do check the VCU, or you may be replacing the UJs again soon...

Play in the diff may indicate that the diff bearing has gone. See if there's any metal on the drain plug... You can get the diff reconditioned, but if you need both diff and VCU done prepare for a sizeable bill, especially if you don't do the labour yourself :(

Thanks all.....I changed the oil in the diffs a couple a month ago, ( first time since I had the car....) surprisingly there was no bits of metal on the plug. APart from the age & mileage of the car, It is probably wear and tear, but I probably did not help by not greasing the UJ's, serviced everything else though........my bad.....
 
Won't have thought you need to change the
bolt just the nuts. I took mine off and put it back using
The same nuts. It's still there and the nuts are still tight.
 
Thanks all, Successfully replaced the front prop and now drives nice and smooth and quiet....:clap2:
 

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