[Eiers]

Hi

Second attempt at posting something tonight - 1st one went missing. Problem is front cv joint on proshaft of my 2001 3.5 GLS being medium to well done, best to replace front and rear. R7K for new complete propshaft, part in Japan, probably on ship that sank in some natural disaster. Don't want to re-invent wheel - who do I need to contact that can sort or supply the CV's without having to fight 7 Gorilla's? Vehicle otherwise virtually bulletproof, bar pimples caused by wife's depth perception inadequacy.

[Nick Gibson]

HI Eiers

The OEM (factory fitted) rear drive shaft is Carbon Fibre shaft and is very pricy to replace; why dont you try a drive shaft specialist who can make a steel one up for you with two universal joints instead of CV joints? Not sure what the price whould be, but it should be alot cheaper than the standard Mitsu one.

(EDIT: Apologies I had my facts wrong, R7296.00 is the correct price for the drive shaft).

[Eiers]

Hi Nick

Thanks for the reply. Confirms my suspicions, alternative is scrapyard, but that is not always the answer where propshaft is concerned. Surely the CV's on the composite shaft can be removed for a fix? If I discover a fix will let all know. Looks like I will have to re-invent the wheel after all.

Cheers

[4ePikanini]

my front prop CV packed up a few weeks ago. I took the shaft in to a prop specialist. He used the yoke from my shaft and replaced the CV with a UJ.

https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/view ... =3827&f=25

[SteveL]

Just a word of warning/caution. I did exactly the same as 4ePikanini with my SWB (replaced the cv with conventional U joint). The SWB has a much shorter prop shaft than the LWB and hence is at a steeper angle and gets even steeper if you have uprated the springs or had a lift and it is difficult to balance cos the angles are not really what they should be.

Anyway, after about 15,000km my new joint "failed" whilst on a trip through Richtersveld (I got it repaired in Springbok on a Public Holiday - another story).

Bottom line was that the grease nipple was no longer in the X piece. I don't know if it got 'knocked' out because of the steep angle, was put in loose, vibrated or came out in some other way. Anyway, I now regularly lie underneath to have a look and often take a grease gun with me.

SteveL

[mitsenoj]

Hi - I did a post about this few years back.

When mine failed I also didnt like the price of complete shaft - found a CV specialist willing to play - turns out one of the ford bakkie's with a 4L engine has same CV joints on its shaft.

So we swapped them out and I have done at least 50 000 km since then - no problems.

Guy claimed there are not that many factories producing CV joints word wide, so they often used cross platforms.

I can try dig out my post if you like - might have been on 4x4forum (pics and all)

Tim

[mike_r]

Hello from England...........

I am wondering if you have any other information on the ford part that fits? We dont have a Ford "backie" here in the uk, but im hoping we have something similar, do you know the year of ford it was from?

Thanks,
Mike

[mitsenoj]

Hi - sorry don't remember the exact model - but it was a Ford Ranger and had a 4 liter engine so we figured there shouldn't be a strength/spec issue.

[mike_r]

thanks for the reply! i got a good deal on a used shaft from a breakers yard and hopefuly it will have good joints, if not i hope that the prop has identical cv's at both ends and i will be able to salvage a good one from it.