Am I screwed? Drive shafts out!!!!!!

[konceppt]

Hi lads and lasses.
Only had my 172 for 2 weeks. Slowly changing bits and pieces. Just gone to change the n/s ball joint and when I undid the bolts holding it to the wishbone the hub swung down and out and I can't get it to line back up.I already had the shock removed to do the top mounts so I didn't think it would go anywhere. I'm thinking drive shaft has popped out?
What do I do now? Never gone that deep into a car before but I'm fairly competent with tools lol.
Can I get it back in and lined up as it is or do I need to strip the whole thing?
I can see a big gaitor and 3 bolts. I'm assuming I unbolt those and then the shaft is splined behind that?

HELP! I need to drive it tomorrow!!!!

 

[JamesBryan]

If the near side shaft had popped out there would be gearbox oil everywhere.

 

[bloke]

tripod joint has come out of the diff, push it back and turn it as you do and it will drop back in place.

 

[konceppt]

No need to remove that gaitor then?

 

[JamesBryan]

No, don't do that.

 

[bloke]

gaitor can stay where it is, if you do have to remove it then drop the oil first.

 

[Andy93]

As above. Push the hub towards the car and rotate it as much as you can each way and you'll feel it drop back into place.

 

[konceppt]

I've still got the disc and caliper attached so it's heavy ha ha
What's actually behind that gaitor that I'm trying to line up?
Just so I can get an idea of what I'm trying to achieve

 

[Stay Puft]

Think of it as a ball (end of shaft) and socket joint (gearbox) and you have to push the ball into the socket. I'm not mechanically minded but it should be straight forward.

 

[konceppt]

Crisis averted. Shaft is popped back in and ball joint is done up. Knackered the abs sensor though. It broke the wire when it dropped

 

[konceppt]

Rain has stopped play. Still gotta do the other side and both top mounts. Late night on the cards

 

[Rob669]

The only way I've removed ABS sensors from Clio hubs is through destruction. Drilling, bashing with old screwdrivers and heat from a blow torch. Get ready with protective goggles. Not cheap either.

 

[konceppt]

Just seen them on ebay for 14 quid?

 

[Rob669]

Be careful what you buy: http://www.cliosport.net/threads/scoping-abs-sensors.639155/

 

[STEVE.M]

It broke the wire when it dropped

Can you repair the wiring?

 

[konceppt]

Good point. I'll confirm the connector first.
No it can't be repaired. It's pulled out and shredded the wiring right at the connector

 

[konceppt]

Car is back together and not creaking and knocking anymore. Wishobone bushes were dry
It hasnt put the ABS light on though.
Car feels a bit more precise in the steering department with two new ball joints on it

 

[Crybert]

Some great help in here mate. Would be nice for a wee thanks to the folk that helped out. Doesn't take 10 seconds to type out

 

[Crybert]

And still no thanks! Maybe it's just me but it doesn't take a minute to thank folk. Gets right on my nerves that