Driveshaft popped out!

[Jay.S]

After trying and failing to do the passenger side balljoint the driveshaft had just popped out and spilt its guts everywhere.

So how I can fix this, is it a garage job or is thier anyone kind enough in the NW to come help me sort it out.

FML!

 

[Carbonraider]

Where in Cheshire are you.. And has it ripped the gaiter and emptied the gearbox oil.

 

[Jay.S]

I'm in Elton near Chester services.

Alot of oil came out hard to tell if the whole box though. I'm going to have a crack at putting it back in see how I get on.

 

[Carbonraider]

If a lot of oil has came out passenger side of the box and if you haven't undone the 3 bolts that hold the gaiter in place then there will be no point in trying to get shaft back in as you have ripped the gaiter. :/

 

[Jay.S]

The gaiter had just popped off where the metal clip attaches it on.

Think I may have got it back in but its hard to see if its right.

 

[Jay.S]

Driveshaft is back in, which is the easiet way to pull the gaiter back over. Should I remove the old clip first then replace it once it is on.

Any tips for getting the pinch bolt out for the balljoints aswell?

 

[bmh.01]

DO NOT try to drive it without putting any more box oil back in.

Pinch bolt, undo, turn bolt to break any rust then punch it through.

 

[Jay.S]

f**king thing popped out again, nightmare to get back in this time. thinking its a job for tomorrow now.

Once I get the box oil I will take it to a garage much less hassle.

 

[Jay.S]

Which driveshaft clip should i get for the gearbox end? Is a normal jubliee clip ok or one of the metal zip ties?

 

[Gandi69]

I used a normal jubliee clip. The shaft has metal insert on it that open end of the rubber gaitor fits over - you want to put that on so its tight with a clip but the metal part needs to be able to rotate inside of it. I reckon thats how you lost your gearbox oil as the metal insert came out of the gaitor when you removed the ball joints?

 

[Jay.S]

Yeah thats what happened, getting it back in can be a right pain. Round 2 tonight i will go pick up a new clip and some gearbox oil so its all ready to go.

 

[Gandi69]

I find its easier to get it back in from underneath the car rather than side on. A screwdriver blade used gently to flick it over the metal part helps too

 

[Martin_172]

ive just cable tied them on in the past and they have been fine for years!

depending on the age of the car its probably worth dropping the rest of the gearbox oil and changing it all.

 

[Jay.S]

I only have access from the side, I did it yesterday all back in, gaiter on then when i was trying to get the pinch bolt out it happened again.

Think i made the mistake of taking the 2 bolts out the wishbone first, lesson learnt.

 

[Jay.S]

Sorted it today after work it's amazing how things change when you sleep on them. Took me no time at all to get it back in clipped up and the ballpoint on. Just got to go buy the oil to put in tomorrow.

Reference for people in future get the pinch bolt out first then loosen the other 2 makes life a whole lot easier I learnt the hard way.