Cheap(er) Rotoflex....just don't

**LRJim** · 4th July 2018, 05:26 PM

Hey all

I had some dramas with my rotoflex today so I thought I'd post this up.

Car is a 97 D1 V8 370xxx

When I bought the landy and got the RWC done I had to change the old Rotoflex.

My plan was/is to convert to a uni joint so I went for the cheaper option out of the 2. I think I paid about $90 it was only $70 cheaper but I thought it won't fail before I do the conversion.

Well it failed miserably....less than 12000ks

I installed it correctly 100% so please don't criticize.

I noticed it was starting to wear within 8000ks so I expected it was going to happen eventually I just forgot about it in the end (had a baby and all that)

Last night driving home from work I felt the telltale signs of it pedal vibration and a lot more rear end noise, but only at 80ks and about 2000rpm just after 4th gear (auto) so I was still not 100% convinced it was the Rotoflex thinking it would be constant.
I didn't get a chance to look at so went to work the next day same symptoms lucky I made it.

Had a look underneath, sure enough it was cactus.
Lucky I kept the old one onboard it was still in good nick. Changed it all good sound and rattle gone.
I have done quite a bit of hard offroading since owning it so it has copped a beating.

The old one was made in germany this one dosnt even say it just says BJS.

I'm not saying that everyone's is going to go or that the brand is poo. I'm just saying it's happened to me and I'm defiantly not the 1st.
It may have gone 100000 ks if I stayed on the bitumen and kept the standard size tyres on but I'll never know.

We ALL know we should buy genuine or better quality parts but sometimes we don't or can't for what ever reason. Like I said above I was hoping to do the conversion before it died.

All I can say is I'm glad I didn't end up with a prop shaft flying through the cab.

Now who's got a rear uni joint for a D1

Cheers
Jim

**Roverlord off road spares** · 4th July 2018, 05:40 PM

Yes it pays to go for GKN, they are not that dear, but today's market people want cheap so cheaper alternatives are offered also.
On the cheaper ones the rubber compound seems to be more flexible.

**LRJim** · 4th July 2018, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

Yes it pays to go for GKN, they are not that dear, but today's market people want cheap so cheaper alternatives are offered also.
On the cheaper ones the rubber compound seems to be more flexible.

Most defiantly I reckon the old ones done 200xxxks no real off roading before me tho. If I go down the Rotoflex path again before the uni conversion I'd definitely buy the GKN.
It's just worth the peace of mind.

**LRJim** · 4th July 2018, 05:54 PM

Here's a photo of the bolts worn heads from rubbing against each others nuts.

**donh54** · 4th July 2018, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by LRJim

Hey all

.....

My plan was/is to convert to a uni joint so I went for the cheaper option out of the 2. I think I paid about $90 it was only $70 cheaper but I thought it won't fail before I do the conversion.

....

I paid less than $90 for a GKN from Mario.

**LRJim** · 4th July 2018, 07:07 PM

I think I'm still going to go with a uni joint but might get another Rotoflex to keep under the passengers seat in the meantime. I would have been screwed without the old one.

**donh54** · 4th July 2018, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by LRJim

I think I'm still going to go with a uni joint but might get another Rotoflex to keep under the passengers seat in the meantime. I would have been screwed without the old one.

IMHO, you really only need the uni replacement if you've got a lift. The original rotoflexes were supposedly good for more than 200K on a standard vehicle.

**rick130** · 4th July 2018, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by donh54

IMHO, you really only need the uni replacement if you've got a lift. The original rotoflexes were supposedly good for more than 200K on a standard vehicle.

And Slunnie has gone back to the Rotoflex from his TW rear shaft just to make things a little smoother on the highway.

**rangieman** · 4th July 2018, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by rick130

And Slunnie has gone back to the Rotoflex from his TW rear shaft just to make things a little smoother on the highway.

I replaced mine with a uni 5 years ago and with running muddy`s smoother is not a option

I prefer the uni but that is my opinion which is not every one`s cup of tea

**LRJim** · 4th July 2018, 08:06 PM

I want to do the uni conversion for a few reasons but the main one is the 1" thick piece of rubber holding the diff to the prop shaft.
I can see how it benefits in many ways but It has as many downfalls in my mind.
On a soccer mum SUV sure I get that.

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