Mk2 Galaxy Driveshafts - which supplier?

[Galaxy130]

My first post here so a christmassy hello My 2005 TDI Galaxy has a lot of slop in the driveline. I have read tons of info on here including about the uprated stub axle shafts and CV joints from Poland. Also lots of negativity elsewhere about the J and R products. I'm assuming I need both the stub shaft also a driveshaft. The play at the gear box is about 3 to 4mm but play when turning the wheel by hand on drivers side is massive - prob about 1 1/2" - there does seems alot of slack in the driveshaft generally and very difficult to drive without snatching and clonking in 1, 2, 3 gears. I'm getting no knocking on tight turns though.

My question is where best to buy. Eurocarparts are doing GKN Lobro driveshafts (recon) for Ã,£120.00. They also do their own shafts much cheaper. JR shafts are peanuts. Stub axles available genuine VW on Ebay at Ã,£100 or the Poland parts as per their website - I think 238E. I'm erring toward the stub axle part from Poland and the GKN shaft from eurocarparts. Is this is good use of my dosh?! Finally as I understand it, aftermarket shafts are solid whereas OEM are hollow with the latter transmitting less noise. Does this mean GKN shafts are hollow??

any other general advice re. doing this job appreciated

[Chrispb]

Hello Galaxy 130 and 

I have only used shafts from my local parts shop been on a few years now with no problems, cant remember the make but they weren't a known make.

There are a few members that have fitted the Polish parts with good results.
Try using the search function on here this will bring up more posts on the subject.

[SilverBeast]

I've fitted a J&R driveshaft, it was OK for a while but I'm getting a vibration again.  I also am getting more driveline shunt so believe the intermediate shaft is on the way out.  I have an unused J&R driveshaft, but will probably go for GKN's and the Polish intermediate shaft next year.

Only advice is to make sure you have a good breaker bar for removing/installing hub bolts - the torque +90degrees takes quite a lot of effort!  I'd replace lower balljoints at the same time too.

[insanitybeard]

G'day!

Don't forget that if the intermediate shaft splines are worn then the parts that you will need to replace are the gearbox stub axle and the intermediate shaft that plugs into it, the outer shaft contains the inner and outer CV joints and is a separate part again so depending on what's worn you may not need all three parts. I take it you've read the 2 driveshaft related articles in the reference library?

[Galaxy130]

G'day!

Don't forget that if the intermediate shaft splines are worn then the parts that you will need to replace are the gearbox stub axle and the intermediate shaft that plugs into it, the outer shaft contains the inner and outer CV joints and is a separate part again so depending on what's worn you may not need all three parts. I take it you've read the 2 driveshaft related articles in the reference library?

thanks for the replies everyone. Re above post, yes good point, stub axle needs the intermediate shaft as well, sorry I kind of knew that but didnt think when I quoted the stub axle part selling on ebay. I think I'll go for the part from motomax and the GKN driveshaft from ECP. I've read many articles on here about driveshafts so felling quite educated

does anyone know if the ECP GKN recon shafts are reconned original fitments that came with the car at manufacturer?

[insanitybeard]

GKN make most O.E driveshaft assemblies, certainly the O.E shafts on my '54 plate Galaxy are GKN so you shouldn't go far wrong with them, I would think the recon units would be very similar if not exactly the same as the factory fitted assemblies.

[sasquartch]

Don't buy a cheap Q drive driveshaft from EuroCarParts

Cheap but lasted only about 15k miles for me. If I need a driveshaft in the future I will only be buying a GKN Lobro as I believe these are OE quality.

Q Drive (or other cheap make) OK if you just want to get through an MOT and sell on but if you're planning on keeping a year / 10k miles or more cheap is false economy.

[Galaxy130]

ok, thanks all GKN it is then..

a quick point about Eurocarparts for anyone buying parts from them ALWAYS order via Click and Collect on their website. If you just roll up and buy over the counter in the normal way, you'll pay nearly double the price!!!