Has anyone's driveshaft ever fallen off?

Well? Has it?

Had my reconditioned gearbox put back in 10 days ago. Coming up to traffic lights on the A47 in Leicester yesterday (20 miles into a 600 mile trip to Aberdeen) and heard a little rattle as I came to a halt. Lights go green, into 1st, no drive, just a clicking noise like a playing card sitting in the spokes of a bike wheel. All credit to the Policeman who saw/heard this happen and gave me a push onto a verge.

The AA man recovered all 6 bolts that hold the driveshaft onto the N/S diff flange. All had come out at the same time and were in the under-engine tray with no obvious damage to the threads and they were covered in whatever viscous fluid had been applied before they were seated so he put them back in and followed me home.

Anyone EVER had or even heard of these bolts coming loose before and for that matter does anyone know the torque setting for them? The AA guy said he'd seen it a few times on VAG boxes with the flange plate mating assembly for the drive shafts but it's very rare.

Obviously the work was guaranteed and the mechanic will be looking at it whilst I'm away this week and replacing all the bolts on both flanges but I just wondered if this was a known issue or am I just that darn lucky?

Edited 5 November, 201312 yr by BigBadRob