Whilst looking for the source of a knocking noise at low speed I've noticed that the driveshaft on the drivers side (RHD) has virtually no movement whilst the passenger side moves with a clunk whilst pushing/pulling the driveshafts towards and away the gearbox. Any thoughts?

Loose hub bolt, CV joint worn?

Retaining circlip missing or dislodged.

In and out movement on the CV’s is normal, it’s to allow for the movement when suspension compresses and expands.

 

up and down movement isn’t normal, the inner CV can be quite hard to diagnose as it only needs a very slight amount of play.

 

if it feels really loose maybe check there is enough grease in there.

7 hours ago, J.R. said:

Retaining circlip missing or dislodged.

That's what I was thinking, or possible the spacer or thrust washer behind the outer CV has been left out during previous work, I guess the only way to find out is to have a look. 

 

13 minutes ago, Vrsburnzy said:

In and out movement on the CV’s is normal, it’s to allow for the movement when suspension compresses and expands.

 

up and down movement isn’t normal, the inner CV can be quite hard to diagnose as it only needs a very slight amount of play.

 

if it feels really loose maybe check there is enough grease in there.

 

With the retaining clip on the outer joint I would think the inner joint takes up the suspension movement, I'm just not sure how much play is normal for the in the outer CV. I'm thinking the knocking is the wishbone bushes but I may pop the joint off at the same time to check everything looks good whist I'm there.

I’m sure when I tested the driveshafts on a zafira I got in and out movement, and they where fine, but now I’m doubting myself 🤣

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3 hours ago, Vrsburnzy said:

I’m sure when I tested the driveshafts on a zafira I got in and out movement, and they where fine, but now I’m doubting myself 🤣

I'm guessing some movement is normal in that direction and that varies with different manufacturers and designs. It was just odd that one moves noticeably and the other doesn't. I've recently replaced the whole outer CV joint on the side that has virtually no movement as the CV boot was split ( I did check prior to the work and there wasn't any movement), but I've just noticed that the other outer CV boot has split as well so it has to come apart anyway!

I will update once I've had it apart, although it's likely to be next week now.

 

 

Edited 9 March, 20206 yr by andyd76

Whilst I am not intimate with my driveshafts like I would have been in the bad old days of FWD (Minis, 1100's etc) I have had my hands on them when changing suspension springs etc and the principle remains the same.

 

In my view the shaft should have no transverse movement relative to the outer CV, the retaining circlip should hold it firmly in position, relative movement is provided for in the inner plunge joint but the suspension needs to be articulated to see such movement.

 

I would think that if you tugged the driveshaft side to side there would be enough flexion to see a small amount of movement in the inner joint but no relative movement to the outer CV, if it can move freely there is a risk of the shaft coming out of the joint on full lock and suspension rebound.

 

Editted. Unless for some reason some float was designed in and the circlip groove positioned to allow it, other possibility is the outer joint has been repleced with a badly manufactured pattern part.

Edited 9 March, 20206 yr by J.R.

Thinking about it now, your most likely right, I swear I tested a driveshaft for movement and they moved, but I can’t remember when or what car 🤣 

 

i had loads of issues with the driveshafts on that zafira as it was a GSI and lowered and it kept popping the offside shaft off the half shaft, I had to raise the car in the end as I couldn’t get it too stay in for any length of time.

 

 

1 hour ago, J.R. said:

Whilst I am not intimate with my driveshafts like I would have been in the bad old days of FWD (Minis, 1100's etc) I have had my hands on them when changing suspension springs etc and the principle remains the same.

 

In my view the shaft should have no transverse movement relative to the outer CV, the retaining circlip should hold it firmly in position, relative movement is provided for in the inner plunge joint but the suspension needs to be articulated to see such movement.

 

I would think that if you tugged the driveshaft side to side there would be enough flexion to see a small amount of movement in the inner joint but no relative movement to the outer CV, if it can move freely there is a risk of the shaft coming out of the joint on full lock and suspension rebound.

 

Editted. Unless for some reason some float was designed in and the circlip groove positioned to allow it, other possibility is the outer joint has been repleced with a badly manufactured pattern part.

 

Thanks J.R.

 

Makes perfect sense and much along the lines that I was thinking.

I post my opinions and experience as much in the hope of being shown that its out of date, tihings have moved on since I was au fait as much as to help others, so keep an open mind, it may not be correct.

 

That said basic principles and common sense rarely are out of date.

UPDATE:

 

For anyone interested the CV joint was absolutely Knackered, hardly any grease and what was there was a heavily contaminated paste. As the CV boot has only just split with no grease visible on the outside, I'm guessing that someone has previously replaced the boot without much thought for the joint itself. The knocking has stopped too 😁.

 

Thanks