Technical Nurburgring broke my GP

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Technical Nurburgring broke my GP

TODDW

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So after a recent trip to the ring. Which ended in me pulled over just after the carousel with the n/s driveshaft hanging from the wheel. Now i got the car towed back to the uk as the price of getting it fixed over there was 500 euro plus...
Now the driveshaft pulled out the cup. So i replaced the WHOLE driveshaft. It lasted all of about 2 miles before it basically fell out again. So twice in a matter of 3 miles worth of driving. Ive read threads about it happening due to being on coilovers but im not convinced its the whole proble. ive checked the car and all seems fine apart from the lower gearbox mount that looks to have perished abit.
Just not sure what way to go about fixing it?
longer shaft?
lift the car back to standard?
replace engine mounts?

what do people think?:confused:
 
Measure the old and the new drive shaft ( by measuring the different parts so you don't take into account the slop in the joints. Ii'm sure the new one is a few mm smaller.

I'm sure you could make a spacer for the driveshaft like ~5mm (i would not go bigger than 5mm) and install it on the drive shaft before putting the splined shaft trough the wheel. Make it on a lathe/have somebody make it to insure a good fit. It should have the same OD as the shoulder of the drive shaft.
There should be enough of the splines engaging the wheel.
There should be enough thread on the driveshaft to secure it with the nut.

Also replace the engine and gearbox mount if they have excessive play.
In combination with a small spacer i think you should not have a problem.
 
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So after a recent trip to the ring. Which ended in me pulled over just after the carousel with the n/s driveshaft hanging from the wheel. Now i got the car towed back to the uk as the price of getting it fixed over there was 500 euro plus...
Now the driveshaft pulled out the cup. So i replaced the WHOLE driveshaft. It lasted all of about 2 miles before it basically fell out again. So twice in a matter of 3 miles worth of driving. Ive read threads about it happening due to being on coilovers but im not convinced its the whole proble. ive checked the car and all seems fine apart from the lower gearbox mount that looks to have perished abit.
Just not sure what way to go about fixing it?
longer shaft?
lift the car back to standard?
replace engine mounts?

what do people think?:confused:
Hi,
You will have broken an engine or gearbox mount. The failed drive shaft is effect not cause. The engine/gearbox moves under load due to failed mount. This pulls the driveshaft to the point it breaks.


Robert G8RPI.
 
What Robert said above.

Just to add if i may?

The driveshafts are pretty resilient and shouldn't come out under normal conditions.

They will only come out in cases where suspension failure has occurred or the suspension geometry has been modified to the extent the driveshaft has too much free travel and is already at the limit of breaking free.

Engine mounts are also a culprit, and likely to be the cause in your case. Look at the gearbox upper mount, if this has failed, it will be causing the engine/gearbox to sag at an angle, in such a way that the driveshaft cups on the gearbox are sitting further away from the N/S axle. Hence the shaft falling out.
 
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Sorry to hear about the break. My GP 1.9mjet is lowered on FK coilovers and I managed 9 laps without issue although the bottom of the gearbox mount is pretty well ground but probably caused more by getting on and off the ferry. did you managed a lap without you're car dying? Hope you get your issue resolved.
 
Sorry to hear about the break. My GP 1.9mjet is lowered on FK coilovers and I managed 9 laps without issue although the bottom of the gearbox mount is pretty well ground but probably caused more by getting on and off the ferry. did you managed a lap without you're car dying? Hope you get your issue resolved.

As an aside to this, I did notice that my insurance (Direct Line) European cover specifically excludes the Nurburgring, even for normal driving. One to watch out for. (Yes I'm sad and read the cover booklet)


Robert G8RPI.
 
Thank you all for your feedback. I am going to be replacing all mounts anyway as i feel it is time. I will be trying the spacer trick on the inside of the wheel and see how things go, wll keep you all posted on how it plays out.
I was only passing the ring when i decided to have a go on it so managed a one off lap then it happened on the second time when i pushed my luck and probally got a bit cocky.
I doubt the issue is suspension as they are brand new KW coilovers, none the less, all sus will be checked when trying to sort the issue.
 
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