Thread: D4 front left driveshaft fails, twice

The rims were checked this morning and no damage. I think the term he used was "not thrashed out". I'd like to say IT'S FIXED, but the jury's still out. I only drove about 150km today and there was still some ticking at the end of the day when I drove a couple of slow circles to test it.

I checked the wheel nuts again And found that I could wiggle them with my fingers. I resorted to the toolbag in the boot and confirmed that they were all tight enough that I couldn't really get them any tighter with the LR tool. Is it normal that the wheel nuts can be wiggled by hand when they're tight?

I'll put some more distance in over the next couple of days and report back.

I would be investigating if there is any reason the nuts are binding without tightening on the wheel.

John

Originally Posted by Beamin

Is it normal that the wheel nuts can be wiggled by hand when they're tight?

No, unless they have covers and the covers are loose. My D4 nuts are stored away so can't compare but IIRC it was my D2 that had covers, not the D4.

Edit: The D4 nuts do have covers and mine are loose enough to wriggle on the nuts.

I have to wonder how tight the nuts on the half-shafts are if the wheels weren't properly tightened.

Maybe the drive shaft/CV failure was the symptom , not the cause?

Latest diagnosis: wheel bearing.

I took the opportunity to drop in to the dealer yesterday after a few hours on the highway. They listened closely to the ticking and in light of the history decided it is a wheel bearing making the noise. A new one has been ordered and will be fitted when I have a chance to return in a few weeks.

Without knowing the setup down there does that mean it could've been an incorrect installed bearing? Or no shim where there should be one?

The bearings are not serviceable so either faulty manufacture or a failed seal.

Hopefully the dealer checked that the hub nut was still tight and that the hub isn't moving on the splines.