T6 T32 2018 DSG 204bhp Driveshaft Part Numbers

[ben3042]

Morning all,
Another issue reared its head this morning when pulling away from a junction.... clunk and no drive. Just a grinding noise. Sounds very much like stripped splines on the driveshaft (remember the same issue from my earlier T5).
My question is, has anyone got a list of part numbers for driveshafts? I am yet to get the van jacked up and the wheels off to find out exactly which bit has gone, but an initial search of part suppliers doesn't bring much/anything up for driveshafts!
Cheers

 

[RobertO2023]

Ohhh . You can get the part numbers from TPS - then go for OEM or aftermarket I know that feeling My T5.1 Sportline did the same ended up replacing the gearbox and drive shafts at a huge cost!! . If you are very lucky you might get away with just drive shafts but be aware if the splines are damaged in the gear box it no easy job to replace those parts. After the event I found out that the grease on the splines dries out and results in an avoidable failure. I never found out if this is on a maintenance schedule. Good luck.

 

[ben3042]

I spoke to TPS and they want £750 for a new offside driveshaft!! The only aftermarket part I can find is GSP branded, which I've never heard of before. Anyone else heard of these?

 

[bluezie]

Unfortunately, you absolutely will have to replace the splines inside the gearbox, they may look like they're not worn, but they will be. A new driveshaft will not last long!
To change them, it's gearbox out and split, differential out and split. Unless you're a very good DIY mechanic, then best left to a specialist to do. Probably piles of very expensive hard to get tools needed.
I shall removing and greasing my driveshaft splines at the 80K DSG service, assuming I still have the van then.

 

[ben3042]

Unfortunately, you absolutely will have to replace the splines inside the gearbox, they may look like they're not worn, but they will be. A new driveshaft will not last long!
To change them, it's gearbox out and split, differential out and split. Unless you're a very good DIY mechanic, then best left to a specialist to do. Probably piles of very expensive hard to get tools needed.
I shall removing and greasing my driveshaft splines at the 80K DSG service, assuming I still have the van then.

This is my fear... the splines do look a bit worn inside the gearbox on the failed drivers side. The nearside driveshaft and gearbox splines are greased up and look perfect. The offside was a complete cloud of rust dust without a spec of moisture in there at all! The van has done 85k miles, I did the DSG oil service at 40k and 80k. I'm absolutely gobsmacked VW have such a design flaw on these modern vehicles that results in gearbox coming out.
I am a good DIY mechanic, but don't have a lift, so I can't do it myself even if I wanted to.
Any recommendations?

 

[RobertO2023]

I sympathise with you. This is another known VW issue. As I said before I can’t find any scheduled maintenance on the driveshaft end into the gearbox. When mine failed it resulted in a new gearbox because the repair is so sophisticated that only people with the right tools and equipment can undertake the work. The grease dries out over time then you in are for a big bill.
Mostly front wheel drive vehicles have an easy replacement driveshaft with a gearbox flange . Not VW !!

 

[bluezie]

Now this design has been around for 20 years, it has become apparent the common denominator with the failing offside drive shaft is the transfer shaft, particularly now the DSG with a completely different set up is also failing. As this is semi solidly mounted on the centre bearing, the gearbox splines don't allow for any mis alignment, or wobble in the rubber bearing mount, so the splines keep moving around and gradually wear out.
If a third CV joint had been added to the gearbox end, this problem would not happen, like the NS driveshaft that rarely fails.

 

[ben3042]

Now this design has been around for 20 years, it has become apparent the common denominator with the failing offside drive shaft is the transfer shaft, particularly now the DSG with a completely different set up is also failing. As this is semi solidly mounted on the centre bearing, the gearbox splines don't allow for any mis alignment, or wobble in the rubber bearing mount, so the splines keep moving around and gradually wear out.
If a third CV joint had been added to the gearbox end, this problem would not happen, like the NS driveshaft that rarely fails.

Completely agree! Poor design which leads to premature wear. Might last longer if the joint managed to hold on to it's grease, but that's only delaying the inevitable. I hoped they'd sorted the driveshaft issues after the T5, but clearly not. If they'd implemented a stub shaft on the DSG box, it wouldn't be so much of an issue, much cheaper and quicker to fix too!

 

[stupot]

Hi Ben were there any symptoms before it went? I have a wobble through the steering wheel at 40-50mph under gentle acceleration, praying it’s not driveshafts but I’ve eliminated it’s not wheel balancing so short on ideas what else it could be. Mine is a 2017 T32 204 DSG 4motion with 85k miles

 

[RobertO2023]

On my previous van the splines failed outside warranty at around 105k, so I picked up a big bill. On my current van I am considering removing the driveshafts to inspect and repack the grease which will hopefully alleviate a future failure.
Has anyone found information about re greasing the spline ends at mileage or age. Is it on a VW service directive?