2013 Ducato driveshafts

[Googlebot]

Anyone had to change one?

90,000 miles and I have a very slight clicking when turning, almost like the gaiter is rubbing but ever so slightly felt through the vehicle. No play at all in it otherwise. I have silicone lubed the gaiter and it doesn’t do it unless under load hence I think that’s why it’s the driveshaft.

Just working out if it’s worth waiting or not?

 

[Grummyb]

Could it be the CV joint

 

[Googlebot]

Could it be the CV joint

Yes, that’s what I was thinking.

The 2 new driveshafts aren’t expensive at £180 for the pair, just seeking second opinions before the hassle of changing them.

I should probably have been more specific. I have put silicone lube on the outside of the gaiter as it sounded initially like a rubbing more than a click. It has now developed into a definite click on turning. It’s not loud at all and no play in the joint I can feel. It wasn’t doing it before though.

Typically it wasn’t doing it when I changed the clutch last year and I had to take both driveshafts out. It has done 12,000 miles since though.

 

[Lenny HB]

Sounds like CV joints to me.

 

[Landy Andy]

I’ve removed mine, but not due to failure. Just other works. They are a simple job. Carrier on back of engine is fiddly, big drive shaft nuts need replacing and a tight. Will need to do gearbox oil as that will drain. Worse bit probably is getting the bottom ball joint out.

Your description does sound like CVs, but they are not a know weak point as far as I know.

 

[Googlebot]

I’ve removed mine, but not due to failure. Just other works. They are a simple job. Carrier on back of engine is fiddly, big drive shaft nuts need replacing and a tight. Will need to do gearbox oil as that will drain. Worse bit probably is getting the bottom ball joint out.

Your description does sound like CVs, but they are not a know weak point as far as I know.

From what I have read, they seem to last forever unless you lose the grease.

I really can’t see what else it could be.

I think changing them seems the best option. I was surprised how cheap they were, even genuine Fiat ones.

 

[Landy Andy]

When I pulled mine the seal on left side of vehicle then weeped. I eventually then fitted a new seal, not OE and it then weeped even worse. I then bought the OE Fiat part which is silly money for what it is, especially compared to other side. It’s also silly that you change the seal flange too rather than the oil seal.

Obviously each time, I’m having to replace gearbox oil, and should be drive shaft nuts, after fighting bottom ball joint. Disconnecting anti rollbar helps with bottom ball joint.

 

[Googlebot]

When I pulled mine the seal on left side of vehicle then weeped. I eventually then fitted a new seal, not OE and it then weeped even worse. I then bought the OE Fiat part which is silly money for what it is, especially compared to other side. It’s also silly that you change the seal flange too rather than the oil seal.

Obviously each time, I’m having to replace gearbox oil, and should be drive shaft nuts, after fighting bottom ball joint. Disconnecting anti rollbar helps with bottom ball joint.

Yes, I did wonder about the seals as they aren’t leaking at all. I am tempted to leave them if you had issues. I was careful last time I took them out not to catch the seals.

You’re right as well, that ball joint is a pain!

 

[Landy Andy]

I’ve only ever fitted two pattern parts to my van, and had issues with both of them.

 

[Googlebot]

I’ve only ever fitted two pattern parts to my van, and had issues with both of them.

It does seem variable as to what you will get. :-(

 

[gus-lopez]

If clicking when turning it is a CV joint. Classic sign.

 

[jockaneezer]

Is it a "click, click, click" as you're driving and turning, or just a single "click" as you apply full lock ? I had the "single click" on a previous car and it was the lower ball joint on the way out.
Pal of mine uses these people for all his driveshafts https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...pe=b&msclkid=6aee8b0da41511abdeb7e12a5c86123a

 

[Googlebot]

It’s lots of clicks.

I think it’s the CV joint. My local shop had some in. I am just starting now.

Those hub nuts came off a treat, winner!

 

[Googlebot]

Nice and high, gearbox oil out.

 

[Googlebot]

First one out.

 

[pagey]

dont hang about do you

 

[Googlebot]

dont hang about do you

I don’t, should have taken a bit longer though. Like an absolute knob I opened the box of the new driveshaft with a knife and hit the new boot. What an idiot!

Oh well, new boot now on the new driveshaft and it’s back in. Will torque everything up tomorrow and fill the gearbox back up.

Having examined the old ones, they were loose and flopped around but no real play to speak of. I did take a boot off one, the grease was almost oil like it was so runny so I would presume that’s what the issue was.

Not sure if it was contamination or just old.

Anyway, will post more tomorrow.

 

[Googlebot]

After my faux pas with the Stanley knife, I ended up sourcing a better gaiter. The universal one was soft in comparison and didn’t sit on the joint well. I wasn’t happy with it so took it off again and got an OEM quality one. I used the place jockaneezer recommended.

They seemed very good, I wish I had used them now, I went to my local supplier and they were quite a bit more expensive.

Alas they didn’t do the boot separate, however the joint and boot was cheaper than a Fiat boot which is mad!

If anyone needs an outer CV joint, let me know. Complete with grease and clips but no boot.

 

[Googlebot]

Once I had sorted the gaiter, in the second shaft went. Had to clean up the tie rod bolt as it’s on its last legs. All went well though and no leaks evident so far from the gearbox seals.

 

[Googlebot]

While there, did the air filter and oil filter with a change of oil. Also wire brushed the sump and put some Hammerite back on the sump to stop the corrosion.

The noise is now gone, so it was the driveshafts, happy days.