O/S stub axle fitting mk2, issues!!!

[mike h]

Hi all,
Having a little issue with a new stub axle that goes in the O/S of the gearbox of my 1.9tdi AUY galaxy.
The drive shaft splines had gone so i bought a new stub axle , question is how tight should it be to put in?
The old one flew out, but the new one had to be tapped in with a mallet.
To cut a long story short, i've had to take the gearbox off to get the sod back out!
Mike

[Mirez]

What??? Blimey, no it shouldn't be anywhere near that tight!

1) Where did you get the parts
2) Is yours an auto or manual?
3) Did you transfer over the spring and collar?

[mike h]

It's manual, and yes, the spring and brass bit were transferred over. When I got the stub out I noticed it had picked up on something, the shaft has some scoring where it was binding. A quick measurement shows the diameter at 0.1 mm bigger than the original.  i've spoken to the supplier amd a replacement is being sent F.O.C. Lets just say they are not very expensive parts.

[Mirez]

Ahhh an ebay special huh?

[mike h]

Yep, buy cheap buy twice as the saying goes.
initially it worked fine, a quick run around the block looked good. Not long after though the car started "skipping" when turning. The shaft was so tight the diff couldn't function.
Shiny sparkles of metallic debris was evident when dropping the oil too.
When I eventually got the shaft out the diff was operating normal again.
I'll post some pics when I get chance.

[Mirez]

Bloody 'el that sounds bad!

[redcup]

Can I ask who the supplier was please?

I am just having exactly the same experience with a stub axle purchased from a supplier on Ebay.

First one wouldn't go in at all.

Replacement one (sent FoC) I have tapped in with a mallet.

I haven't fitted the intermediate shaft yet because it didn't feel right - just debating whether to give it a go or whether to try and get the damn thing out again (I suspect that will not be easy!).

Is there a rule against naming suppliers of parts that do not fit on the forum - a quick search would show this up and stop others from making the same mistake?

[Chrispb]

This is not the first time we have heard this problem on here the new shaft should be no tighter than the old one.

[Mirez]

Feel free to name and shame - a reputable company wouldn't supply parts that don't fit

[redcup]

My shaft came from J&R Driveshafts, Birmingham.

Customer service was very good when I rang them up and they were apologetic.

Given the replacement didn't fit properly either though, that doesn't mean much - my Galaxy has been out of action for a few weeks now - I just want to get it going again and that can only be done with a part that fits!

Lesson learned by me here.

I may end up taking the part to a machine shop and getting them to shave it slightly so it will fit.

Has anyone had a good experience with an Ebay supplier they can recommend?  (I know that the Polish supplier appears to be the best non Ford / VW option - just wondering if there any of the cheaper ones provide serviceable parts?)

[redcup]

Just to finish this one off, I spoke to J&R again, who suggested that the failure of a bearing may have caused the hole into which the stub axle slides to become oval.

I can't return the parts as I have fitted the intermediate shaft (which seems to work just fine) - J&R were very good in saying they would refund half my money and allow me to keep the stub axles so I can get them machined to allow them to fit in my box without binding.

So to summarise - good customer service, but I still don't have a stub axle which fits my gearbox - J&R tell me that the part they have supplied is within spec and similar parts have been fitted to plenty of other galaxy boxes without issue.