Driveshaft Failure! (+ other faults)....

[JamesT5]

Hi

Well today, my T5 is being put on a lorry and taken to a garage for what is going to be a big, BIG bill.......

Yesterday, the driveshaft failed in a pretty major way and the car is currently undriveable. I have had advice from a reputable indy garage and a direct inspection by an RAC Patrolman and both agree that the drive shaft is basically good for nothing. Everytime the drivers side wheel spins either forward or backwards there is a sound I can only best describe as a 'bag of bolts in my wheel' and then a major thud and vibration every so often too. The driveshft physically vibrates heavily and the advice from the garage and the RAC is to take the car off the road for a major overhaul. I was also told by the RAC patrol man that he thinks this problem may have been around for a while and he's suprised it's got this bad without some horrendous noises and a lot more trouble. it looks like I've dodged a bullet here because from what he said the inner CV joint has basically failed. My stuck brake calipers (yes, remeber those from 2 days ago?), were contributing heavily to steering wheel wobble but this driveshaft failure seems to be a big player too from what I can tell.

Also, there is a nasty tapping sound when I rock the car from side to side (a bit like a metal coat hanger hitting the inside of your wardrobe). It turns out on closer inspection to be the front right upper strut mount that has seriously weakened resulting in excessive movement, (starting to sound like a VOSA Inspector there for a second). On top of this, if that wasn't already enough to worry about, as suspected one or more of my lower ball joints is seriously weakened, also resulting in excessive movement.

It's the drivers side ball joint, an advisory was put on the MOT in March before I brought the car that there was a split in the dust cover but it passed as it wasn't allowing dust and dirt in. Unfortunately, with the rest of the suspension wearing and the other issues, it's accelerated the wear on the ball joint to the point where the dust cover is seriously torn and grease is escaping and dirt is getting in. There is also alot of movement within the joint to the point of it being dangerous!!

Then I need new brake pads and possibly discs all the way around the car. I know a nightmare....

Anyway, some good news is that upon closer inspection the control arm bushes don't look too bad at all, although I'm changing the control arms just to make sure I have brand new shiny ones that are going to last a very long time. I might therefore offer the wishbones up for sale as I've asked the garage to keep all the old parts. I'll keep you posted.

I managed, with the help of my Dad, to change the front tie rod ends (yes, they were beginning to wear out too), and I managed to change one of my front droplinks. The stupid thing is, the other drop link had different size nuts to the other one, not to mention the fact that the threads were so well rusted together, getting it off proved impossible to say the least. The garage will have to angle grind it off I think.

I'm getting the garage to fit all the parts I couldn't and just do what ever it takes to get these irritating issues sorted for good. I'm looking at a massive repair bill as I now have no choice but to book it in to a local indy garage that I do trust and have used before, and have them work on the car until it's right.

My advice for anyone wanting to change their control arms and ball joints by the way, is unless you are a skilled home or professional mechanic with a workshop or a specialist tools, don't bother, you'll fail so take it to a garage and be done with it. I've tried, I've failed and I won't be going there again.

The car is likely to be off the road until the end of the week so I'll update more on this when the final picture has finally been painted.

Regards

James

[M-R-P]

Wow James, you've really been through it haven't you. I admire your dedication and persistence with the car, as many people would have cut their losses and weighed it in (1563 kg of car means you'll get a good price). You won't regret it mate, the difference will be massive.

Keep us posted

[JamesT5]

If I'd known all this when I looked at the car I'd have run for the hills. A few little things is turning out to be a load of big jobs and I am fast loosing my patience with the car now. I've just spent 2 days with my Dad trying to fit what should be easy to fit suspension parts, bolt off, bolt on, but got very little done. And at the end of that, I'm now having to pay a £21 tow fee plus garage labour plus more parts. Nightmare isn't it!

Anyway Martin, I know I'm preaching to the converted aren't I!

Regards

James

[JamesT5]

Wow James, you've really been through it haven't you. I admire your dedication and persistence with the car, as many people would have cut their losses and weighed it in (1563 kg of car means you'll get a good price). You won't regret it mate, the difference will be massive.

Keep us posted

The difference will be massive and I won't regret it? Is the price of metal that good these days is it mate....?

[M-R-P]

LOL,
Use of the enter button, or lack thereof.
Aaah screw it, scrap the thing,
before the clutch fails and costs you another £1100+
Pmsl.

[Dangerous Dave]

If you're after bog standard discs and pads, try this ebay guy, just had a set of mintex pads and discs for my dads car from them, no problems at all.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-V70-...item3cbda6ee64

[M-R-P]

These would be the ones for James' car...
P2 305mm

Somewhat more expensive but considering I spent £86 on my 305s and a further £37 on plod pads, still a good deal, especially with free delivery.

[graemewelch]

I was right about the inner cv. Try drivelink for a shaft if theres one local to you. £70 for a recon shaft. Bill wont be that much. Theres only a few hrs work. Hell have all the tools there to make it a easy job

[JamesT5]

This is in a garage and it's only coming out when it's all sorted. Thanks chaps.

[T5frankie]

at least your's didnt come out whilst doing 70mph lol

[Dangerous Dave]

These would be the ones for James' car...
P2 305mm

Somewhat more expensive but considering I spent £86 on my 305s and a further £37 on plod pads, still a good deal, especially with free delivery.

Yeah I did think they might be another size. Like you say once you add pads and delivery its a good price. The ones I got came in their proper branded boxes too

[M-R-P]

I'll probably get my next set from them. Good find mate.

[LeeT5]

Sounds like normal P2 wear n tear to me!

Sure it sucks that all this has gone wrong but to be honest, you'd be more §§§§ed off if you just changed one bit then it was back into the garage for something else a short while later. I wouldn't stress about it too much mate.
I think the RAC bloke is exagerating abit by saying it needs a "major overhaul", no it doesn't, it just needs some TLC and a few wear n tear components replaced. He's making out it's a near right off!

You've already done the links and tie rods. Strut support plates are £56 each (oe). 1 x new drive shaft. 1 or 2 new CV's inner's (i'd replace them both complete with new CV gaiters). As for Discs and pads all round....you can't be that shocked? Surely you knew they were worn and needed replacing anyway, didn't you?

Good thing is, once your alighnment is done (it will need doing after all that lot is changed) the car will drive like new, well, almost like new. There are a few more parts to be changed before you get that close to a new car, but none the less it will be a huge improvement and very noticeable.

Best of luck fella.

[JamesT5]

Sounds like normal P2 wear n tear to me!

Sure it sucks that all this has gone wrong but to be honest, you'd be more §§§§ed off if you just changed one bit then it was back into the garage for something else a short while later. I wouldn't stress about it too much mate.
I think the RAC bloke is exagerating abit by saying it needs a "major overhaul", no it doesn't, it just needs some TLC and a few wear n tear components replaced. He's making out it's a near right off!

You've already done the links and tie rods. Strut support plates are £56 each (oe). 1 x new drive shaft. 1 or 2 new CV's inner's (i'd replace them both complete with new CV gaiters). As for Discs and pads all round....you can't be that shocked? Surely you knew they were worn and needed replacing anyway, didn't you?

Good thing is, once your alighnment is done (it will need doing after all that lot is changed) the car will drive like new, well, almost like new. There are a few more parts to be changed before you get that close to a new car, but none the less it will be a huge improvement and very noticeable.

Best of luck fella.

The RAC man didn't actually say it needed a major overhaul, that was me assuming that's what should be done under the circumstances, although the way I've written it above could have had you believe otherwise.

I'm going to wait and see what the garage say regarding what needs changing, over and above that that I've already specified and brought parts for.

[JamesT5]

I should have the T5 back tomorrow, along with a 10 meter long receipt for all the work. It'll be interesting to find out what they've done to the car to fix all the problems on it so I'll post on here tomorrow and let you all know. I've been without it for a week now and although I've have my Dad's luxary car to drive about in, I'm looking forward to having the Swede back.

[M-R-P]

Nice, keep us posted mate, Pics of the shiny bits, so we can work out what's been changed would be good

I recon your first comment will be "martin, you were right, these things really are great when they're sorted"

[JamesT5]

Nice, keep us posted mate, Pics of the shiny bits, so we can work out what's been changed would be good

I recon your first comment will be "martin, you were right, these things really are great when they're sorted"

I tell you what, it'll be easier to take a picture of all the old bits that I've asked them to box up for me. I'm thinking of selling the wishbones to the highest bidder so someone can polybush them. I'll come up with an asking price once I've seen them and assessed their overal condition.

Regards

James

[M-R-P]

good idea, get some cash back.
you could poly them yourself and make a fair price, its pretty easy when theyre off the car.

[claymore]

I've only just read this, and I'm pretty §§§§ed off, I WARNED you what the problem was, but you just ignored my post and carried on playing around with your brakes. you could have killed someone, if you don't know what your doing, then leave it to the experts.

[JamesT5]

good idea, get some cash back.
you could poly them yourself and make a fair price, its pretty easy when theyre off the car.

I could do, clean them up and sell them pre-polybushed! Interesting idea that Martin. Failing that, I can sell them as second hand parts.....