Driveshaft Replacement Query
Discussion
Morning All,
I replaced my NSF driveshaft and OSF Cv boot yesterday on my weekend car (Mk4 R32 for reference). Im no mechanic but like to have a go at some things.
Everything came off ok and got the items replaced. I’ve taken it for a small drive this morning and it feels like it’s wandering all over the road from the corner I changed the CV boot on. My steering wheel is also way off when driving straight? You can also see the OSF wheel is sitting more “toe in” like it’s quite visibly obvious.
I’m guessing it’s just purely a case of getting the tracking re done now? I’ve jacked it back up this morning and everything looks fine checked wheel studs as it really did drive terribly.
I replaced my NSF driveshaft and OSF Cv boot yesterday on my weekend car (Mk4 R32 for reference). Im no mechanic but like to have a go at some things.
Everything came off ok and got the items replaced. I’ve taken it for a small drive this morning and it feels like it’s wandering all over the road from the corner I changed the CV boot on. My steering wheel is also way off when driving straight? You can also see the OSF wheel is sitting more “toe in” like it’s quite visibly obvious.
I’m guessing it’s just purely a case of getting the tracking re done now? I’ve jacked it back up this morning and everything looks fine checked wheel studs as it really did drive terribly.
oakdale said:
The work you've done should not cause the tracking to be out, you must have got something very wrong.
Don't drive the car until you find out what.
Are you sure about this?Don't drive the car until you find out what.
Assuming that the car in question is front wheel drive (or 4 wheel drive) and the driveshaft involved was at the front of the car.
Replacing a driveshaft generally means removing quite a lot of the components to get the hub off the end of the driveshaft. Some of these components are related to steering geometry and if they weren't put back exactly how they came off, then they would cause tracking to be out.
omniflow said:
oakdale said:
The work you've done should not cause the tracking to be out, you must have got something very wrong.
Don't drive the car until you find out what.
Are you sure about this?Don't drive the car until you find out what.
Assuming that the car in question is front wheel drive (or 4 wheel drive) and the driveshaft involved was at the front of the car.
Replacing a driveshaft generally means removing quite a lot of the components to get the hub off the end of the driveshaft. Some of these components are related to steering geometry and if they weren't put back exactly how they came off, then they would cause tracking to be out.
What component are you thinking of?
oakdale said:
OP, did you by any chance remove the three bolts holding the ball joint to the suspension lower arm instead of at the ball joint taper pin?
Yeah I took them out? As I say I’m not a mechanic but thought I’d have a go. It’s not a daily so can easily strip it back down. It just felt like the tracking is offPaulMoVR6 said:
Yeah I had to take bolts off the control arms to be able to pull the shaft out. Also the same was done on the Cv boot replacement corner.
That's where your problem is then, the holes are elongated for camber adjustment, you only needed to undo the taper pin nut.You're in a pickle now, you can try to locate the ball joint by looking for the previous markings or take it for a full geometry check and correction (not just tracking).
PaulMoVR6 said:
Yeah as I’ve said I’m no mechanic and thought I’d have a go. Sometimes better leaving it to the professionals.
To be fair I was going to get a geometry check done this summer so I’ll get it booked in for that.
You'd be best to try and get it somewhere near correct before driving it, the camber adjustment changes the tracking a great deal as well.To be fair I was going to get a geometry check done this summer so I’ll get it booked in for that.
You should be able to get it roughly correct by loosening the three bolts and going by the previous marking left, slide the joint into position.
This will be much easier if you remove the taper pin nut and free the ball joint from the hub.
oakdale said:
omniflow said:
oakdale said:
The work you've done should not cause the tracking to be out, you must have got something very wrong.
Don't drive the car until you find out what.
Are you sure about this?Don't drive the car until you find out what.
Assuming that the car in question is front wheel drive (or 4 wheel drive) and the driveshaft involved was at the front of the car.
Replacing a driveshaft generally means removing quite a lot of the components to get the hub off the end of the driveshaft. Some of these components are related to steering geometry and if they weren't put back exactly how they came off, then they would cause tracking to be out.
What component are you thinking of?
oakdale said:
Those bolts didn't need to be undone (nor should have been) to change the driveshaft.
Yes, but you were assuming that he hadn't undone them. Whereas I was coming from the point of view as to what I might have done myself - which, whilst it would have been incorrect, is exactly what the OP did.Therefore, whilst I was wrong, I was right and whilst you were right, you were wrong.
omniflow said:
Yes, but you were assuming that he hadn't undone them. Whereas I was coming from the point of view as to what I might have done myself - which, whilst it would have been incorrect, is exactly what the OP did.
Therefore, whilst I was wrong, I was right and whilst you were right, you were wrong.
Ok.Therefore, whilst I was wrong, I was right and whilst you were right, you were wrong.
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