Contents - Volkspage

8.2 Driveshafts
1 .1 Exploded view of the
right-hand driveshaft
1 Circlip
2 Inner cons tan t
velocity joint
3 Dished washer
4 Protective cap
5 Rubber gaiter
6 Balance weight
7 Shaft
8 Dished washer
9 Circlip
10 Clip
11 Rubber gaiter
12 Hose clip
13 Outer constant
velocity joint
Drive is transmitted from the differential to
the front wheels by means of two driveshafts
of unequal length (see illustration). The righthand
driveshaft is longer than the left-hand,
due to the position of the transmission. The
left-hand driveshaft is of solid construction
and the right-hand one is of tubular
construction.
Both driveshafts are splined at their outer
ends to enter the wheel hubs, and are
threaded and secured with large nuts. The
inner ends of the driveshafts are bolted to the
transmission drive flanges.
Constant velocity (CV) ball-and-cage type
joints are fitted to each end of the driveshafts
to ensure that the smooth and efficient
transmission of drive at all the angles possible
as the roadwheels move up and down with
the suspension, and as they turn from side to
side under steering.
Note: A new driveshaft retaining nut will be
required on refitting.
Removal
1 Remove the wheel trim from the relevant
wheel.
2 With the handbrake applied loosen the
driveshaft nut. The nut is tightened to a high
torque and a socket extension may be
required.
3 Jack up the front of the car and support it
on axle stands (see “Jacking and vehicle
support”). Remove the roadwheel.
4 Using a suitable splined key, unscrew and
remove the bolts securing the inner CV joint to
the final drive flange. Note the location of the
spacer plates. Support the inner end of the
driveshaft on an axle stand.
5 Remove the outer nut and washer, then
turn the steering on full lock and tap the
driveshaft from the splined hub using a soft
head mallet. When removing the right-hand
driveshaft it is advantageous to disconnect
the anti-roll bar front mountings and the track
control arm from the strut. Do not move the
car on its wheels with either driveshaft
removed otherwise damage may occur to the
wheel bearings (see illustration).
Refitting
6 Refitting is a reversal of removal, but first
clean the hub and driveshaft splines and the
mating faces of the inner CV joint and final
drive flange. Smear a little molybdenum
based grease on the splines. Fit a new outer
nut and tighten it to the specified torque with
the car lowered to the ground. Tighten the
inner bolts to the specified torque. On the
2.5 The driveshaft inner joint
2.6a Fitting the driveshaft to the final drive
flange
right-hand driveshaft make sure that the
balance weight is located with its conical side
facing the gearbox and the opposite side in
the groove on the driveshaft. Where there is
no groove, locate it on the point mark at the
dimension shown (see illustrations).
2.6b Location of the balance weight on
the right-hand driveshaft
Dimension a = 151.0 mm