After 120k miles, I just replaced the left hand driveshaft - seems the inner gaitor split and the rumbling got quite bad before I had a chance to fix it (should have taken it to the garage). I took the opportunity to fit some rebuilt shocks with heavier springs and new inserts (much better) and new driveshaft and gear linkage seals on the gear box as they were weeping slightly.

I had to do it all in a rush as was babysitting at the same time (I know...) and now I´m getting a bad rumble, but only when steering even slightly to the right, which wasnt there before.... I did about 10 miles and the noise was getting progressively worse. Havent used the car since. To add insult to injury, the new gear linkage seal leaks far worse than the old one, and in my haste/frustaration I dropped the speedo drive into the gearbox.... hmmph.

The wheel bearing seems fine, but there seems to be some vertical play in the assembly somewhere when the car is jacked up, (which may be normal?). Is there anything obvious I can check. I would just suspect the driveshaft, but its only when steering right. The bottom ball joint rubber is perished, but no obvious play ( both sides have been replaced in the last 30k miles). Anyway any ideas??

Thanks

RB

AFAIK a split CV joint gaiter is an MOT failure as grit can easily work it's way in and destroy the joint -- so if the gaiter split and the car was driven it may have damaged the joint.

Was a little grease applied to the gear linkage seal and the seal tapped in squarely?! Did you clean/sand/polish the selector shaft before fitting the new seal?

AFAIK the bottom ball joint gaiter can be purchased on it's own and is just a dust cover held on with clips pretty similar to the track rod end dust covers..

What I really dont understand is why the rumbling only occurs when turning even slightly right, when turning left is fine. The weird thing is its the opposite side to where the problem was before and I cant see any descernible play in the CV joints (gaitors are fine).

I dont really want to fork out another driveshaft if its somthing else I over looked...

I replaced right driveshaft with a better used one (turned out there was a bit of wear on the outer CV anyway), didnt solve the problem.... I´ll try the bottom wishbone joint, but with all the hassle Ive had in the last year, something Japanese is starting to look appealing. How much could I get a Fabia VRs for?....

I decided to flood the up-joints with a solution of CV backwash. Hopefully this will truncate the wheel oscillations. Bearing bonds are on order which should solve the vibration issues.

:orb_elf: xxx :orb_elf:

or

I give up, its knackered and off to the scrapper... thanks for the tips, its a great forum, sorry I didnt have time to participate properly.

Regards

RB