Help, getting driveshaft back in during T32 suspension change.

[Lee8210]

I am in the middle of changing my leaky shocks on our T6 T32 front suspension and I can't get the driveshaft to go back in on the engine side, it starts to locate but won't go in, I can get one bolt in at the bottom of the shock but the one above won't go in as the driveshaft won't go all the way home..

I have spent the last few hours and remaining energy today on it, someone please help!

 

[PhillH]

Hi there, do not hold me to this but I would think it is because of the angle the shaft is trying to go into the gearbox. I would try putting a jack under the wishbone and trying the bring it up level so the shaft goes in square. Otherwise I would remove the drive shaft from the hub (big nut in the middle of brake disk) fit the drive shaft into the gearbox as you should have no restrictions. (sometimes need to turn it until splines slide in) Fit the two bolts into the hanger bearing. Then undo the two spline bolts under the ball joint connecting the wishbone to the hub and bolt the hub back to the suspension strut. Put the CV back into the hub and put the drive shaft nut on loose then bolt the ball joint back up. One all aligned, tighten everything.

Hope this helps

 

[Dundee_Kev]

As @PhillH has said, pop a jack under the arm and gently jack it up. At the same time rotate the shaft and gently push in on the hub at the same time. Keep doing this as you slowly jack up the arm up. It should eventually pop back in place.

If it still doesn't go in, your next step will be to pull the boot back and make sure the bearings haven't popped out. 99% of the time you'll get it coaxed back in before having to resort to exposing the joint

 

[Lee8210]

@Phill & @Dundee_Kev , Thanks for the info, I will give it a go tomorrow, I had to leave it today as it felt I needed a fresh day to sort it out.

 

[PhillH]

@Phill & @Dundee_Kev , Thanks for the info, I will give it a go tomorrow, I had to leave it today as it felt I needed a fresh day to sort it out.

No problem mate, let us know how you get on please

 

[Lee8210]

All sorted thanks, I took the strut back out and jacked up the wishbone and it went in.

I did the passenger side too and that was easier apart from the bolt on the droplink but luckily Amazon arrived with the right bit to use my impact driver on the stud.

Whilst waiting for Amazon I did an air, oil filter and oil change, nice and easy on these, didn't realise the oil filter housing had a drain off point until I had got it out but will know for next time.

We have a new alternator coming tomorrow, once fitted we can do a road test.

I did notice on the passenger side that the rubber that seats onto the underside of the van from the shock has got a few splits in i so I will probably order a pair now I have all the tools to make a suspension service quicker /easier.

Thanks again for the help and sorry for the essay.