Technical Ducato 2.8 JTD High roof Van Driveshafts

[rednwhitevan]

Hello, I have a vibration in steering wheel that started only at motorway speeds, now it is bad in right hand corners when weight is on left side.
I am pretty sure Its a driveshaft as boots have been split both sides for sometime although there is no clicking at full lock. It also goes away in left hand corners even when I accelerate. I hope it is not a wheel bearing do these fail on this model? The vibration is like an electric sander on steering wheel kind of.
Anyway, one question I am asking is are the driveshafts the same on different models? I have the high roof Van and I am pretty sure it takes heavier suspension than the other low roof versions. I also need new Struts.
Can anyone give me the original part number for my left and right driveshafts?
I need to get this right as it will take some time and expense sending these parts from Europe.
Also, if you can recommend where to buy these parts aftermarket that can freight to Australia that would be great thank you.
also can wheel bearings be done on the road or do they need pressed out?
I am just considering doing a complete overhaul of the front end whilst I have it stripped.. Struts, driveshafts, wheel bearings and brakes..

 

[corcai]

Driveshafts are different in the 3500kg van. Dont bother with febi, meyle etc. order direct from skf very good price / quality ratio https://www.vsm.skf.com/uk/en

 

[rednwhitevan]

Ok I am having great difficulty confirming correct part number with suppliers in the UK and Europe as they do not recognize my Australian VIN Number. I am desperate for someone to help me with some original part numbers for my van, many of these sites need a reg plate for part ID.. Can someone help me please? I need driveshafts and struts.

 

[Communicator]

The member "IceVovo", also from Australia was doing a considerable amount of work on his x244. If you send him a PM, he may be able to help.

 

[rednwhitevan]

I have looked through some of his threads and his Van in an auto so may be different again.. Mine is the 2.8 JTD manual with ABS. look even if i could get a UK licence plate off someone with same Van I have a cousin in the UK that could chase parts for me..
Desperate please anyone? I need this part now and its going to take some time to get here with covid postal issues.

 

[corcai]

You need to know the gvw of your van, what does it say on the Vin plate?

IF its 3500kg panel van and IF was built after 2003
the left hand driveshaft should be:71753965
right hand should be: 71753966

The wheelbearings do go but if its as bad as you say the the hub would be very hot

The vibration in the steering wheel can also be the front wishbone bushes causing the wheels to toe in or out. But more likely the lefthand tripod joint.

Both shaft next day delivered to your friend in UK is about £200 direct from SKF.

 

[IceVovo]

Gday mate.

Just read your post.
I know far more about this than I was intending to know.


The driveshafts on the auto are definitely different. Unsure of the various other models.
My 2006 2.8 JTD Fiat Ducato Maxi with auto transmission apparently doesn't exist
here in Australia and is a unicorn! lol

Those driveshafts are pretty strong.
You absolutely should measure the diameter and the number of teeth of the driveshafts.
Vin will only get you so far and I have received many incorrect parts!

However...is it the driveshaft at all?

Your problem is more likely to be ... in no particular order
1. Lower Ball joint
2. Out CV joint
3. Macpherson Strut, Bearing, Bearing holder and top mount *

I changed a single Macpherson strut (recommended to do in pairs with new mounts)
which was shot to pieces with a used one. I noticed abnormal wear on the top mount.
I did replace with new strut bearing whilst I was there....as I was there with all the labour.

But I will be replacing with a new pair of struts and new mounts and new bearings once
covid19 markup prices go away.

The Struts and mount wear and have a finite life. They do not last the normal life of the van and are meant to be replaced.
A worn strut mount/bearing will cause the noise you refer to.

Assuming you have not had an accident or other exceptional event with your van to damage a driveshaft?

 

[corcai]

Those driveshafts are pretty strong.

The lefthand driveshaft on the manual is at a far from optimal angle and they last a fraction of the time of the right.

Plus the op has been driving around with split boots for 'sonetime' which doesnt help.

 

[IceVovo]

corcai

Never thought about the angle causing wear. Makes sense though...

Of course...
If he has been driving around with split boots for ages, yeah that could wear them out quickly.
I am thinking the inner and outer CV joints wearing out. The spline part is easy to test
for wear.

People usually just replace whole shaft unit of course instead of replacing just the CV joint.
The whole unit is not much more than the CV joint....before covid19 broke.
(I replaced just my outer CV joint for my one split boot.)
But the freight to Australia is the killer at the moment with Covid19....
It is very expensive at the moment.
Overseas delays were huge. ( hopefully improved now)


The problem could be a combination of wear from what you and I have mentioned.

I had stability issues. One strut was completely gone and wearing the metal of the mount. (confirmed after removal and inspection)

Anyway, I hope the OP has been helped.

Mine was just a suggestion from recently doing my driveshaft and strut.
You guys were so helpful.
Just trying to widen the think tank.
He can possible just replace the outer CV joint instead of the whole shaft. Replace all the boots.
It may be quicker than waiting for parts from the UK? All Depends on what boots split? etc.

Bear in mind...It is more difficult to get parts here from Europe also.
Been there recently ...still there ...still beating my head against a wall! lol

 

[IceVovo]

rednwhitevan

Just another suggestion...

You can get these driveshafts reconditioned here in Australia.
You probably won't save any money but we have specialist here for driveshafts.
It might save you time?

Brisbane has at least one specialist which I visited and purchased the correct outer CV joint off them. ( after receiving the wrong part from others)
My driveshaft is larger than the manual driveshaft.
They may even have your driveshaft?
Where in Aus are you?

 

[rednwhitevan]

hey mate, I am currently in the Byron shire.. My major problem isn't working on parts but because I am on the road and dont have a workshop its better for me to purchase whole parts if I can.. also means I am back on the road that day. the drive shafts could probably just do with new boots. I have had another look and checked with a mechanic and it appears I have a bad strut. When jacked up its flopping around.. So, I want to press the button on some struts and top mounts in Germany on Ebay but I am in fear that they will never get here..
I would happily buy all the parts as you say and do it all at once.. but confirming part numbers etc and sourcing things is difficult..

 

[rednwhitevan]

So just an update. New struts and top mounts arrived within a few weeks from Germany, and I had the front brakes done also. I also purchased a new Wheel bearing but the Mechanic did not want to fit it as he didnt believe that was the problem finding no play.
The problem gradually got worse starting from mainly in left hand corners a vibrating and in a straight line on hwy over 80kmh. now its there at lower speeds, it got worse or seems worse after struts replaced. but it still completely goes away in a right hand corner. oh by the way both strut mounts where broken cast aluminium.
Mechanic put it on stands in workshop and drove it and seems to think noise is coming from diff area but then told me to change drive shafts first..
there are just to many stories like this...
.
I am still not sold that it is not the wheel bearing given it goes away when the weight is off the right in a right hand bend.
What are the symptoms of a bad wheel bearing in this model?
I am a bit stumped at the moment not sure what to do next...???

 

[corcai]

When you put it on stands the driveshaft is at a totally different angle the cv and tripod can move enough to run on unworn metal. You have to get it to normal running angle to find the wear. Measure the gap between the top of the tyre and the arch then jack the wishbone until the gap is the same.

 

[rednwhitevan]

is this to feel play in the wheel bearing?

 

[corcai]

No for driveshaft, can feel like zero play on the stands and completely sloppy when wishbone jacked up. By the way drain the oil from the box before removing the driveshafts some of the oil pours out on when you withdraw the shafts.

For wheelbearing you just jack it and catch the wheel top and bottom and try to rock it in and out. The diameter of the wheel amplifies the play in the bearing. Its very unlikely to be bad bearing if theres no play in it but put it in neutral and spin the wheel to feel and and listen for grittiness in the bearing.

 

[rednwhitevan]

I stuck two jacks under lower control arms got wheels off ground and re checked for bearing play and can not feel anything. turned both wheels and cannot feel any grittiness.
I cannot feel any defininet slop or movement in driveshafts although with the carrier bearing on the right its hard. I really need it raised over a pit running to try and hear or feel anything.
I have been looking for two new driveshafts but i am having difficulty locating a right one.
the vibration has become worse over time but it still goes away completely in left hand corners... not sure what to do next.

 

[IceVovo]

rednwhitevan


Gday mate. I am thinking you may have had multiple issues.

Have to ask. When was the last wheel balance and tyre check?
You haven't driven into any big potpoles?
Assuming the wheels are correctly balanced!


And if you have replaced the struts and top strut mounts with strut bearings, then that is done.
That leaves you with wheel bearing, outer and inner cv joints, tie rod and lower ball joint.


Please excuse what may sound like a silly question.

What torque have you done the wheel hub nut upto?

 

[IceVovo]

Hey, it won't be wheel balance and it won't be wheel bearing by the sound of your test.

Try hidspares for used shafts....if you have to?
Maybe you will be buying them from europe?

or recondition yours.