Felt washer on transfer box output shaft

Hi all,

Replacing the hand brake shoes on a 1996 300tdi.

The brake drum is absolutely caked with oil. I have a new oil seal for the output shaft but when I was taking it apart, I noticed that there's a felt washer between the big 30mm nut and the flange (item 10 in the diagram).


The felt washer that was on it is in tatters. Is it a necessary part or can I do without it?

I appreciate it must serve a purpose, but it would mean waiting for days for the part to arrive before having the car on the road again.

I suspect it's too stop any minimal oil excaping down the splines?
I'd buy a new one and strip it down again later on, should only take 20mins because you've already dealt with the seized/ rounded off nuts.

I found another washing which I had lying around and will use this temporarily. Perfect fit but similar to a gasket:

I'll put one of those in for now and order the correct part. The splines on the rear diff are knackered so that'll be coming off again soon anyway.

Took a jet washer then a blow torch to all of the brake parts. They're cleaning up nicely.

Glyn D said:

Hi all,

Replacing the hand brake shoes on a 1996 300tdi.

The brake drum is absolutely caked with oil. I have a new oil seal for the output shaft but when I was taking it apart, I noticed that there's a felt washer between the big 30mm nut and the flange (item 10 in the diagram).

The felt washer that was on it is in tatters. Is it a necessary part or can I do without it?

I appreciate it must serve a purpose, but it would mean waiting for days for the part to arrive before having the car on the road again.

Click to expand...

you can apply rtv silicone sealant between the splines and the washer it does the same job

Oops! When putting the flange back onto the shaft, how does one know the correct alignment? Should the front and rear prop shafts be aligned?

..actually, thinking about, I don't suppose it matters. But that raises other questions which have me confused. More on that later, back to the car...

All sorted, but whilst I was at it, it got me wondering...

If the front and rear prop can turn independently of each other, what's the point of having them so that the mounting holes are offset and they therefore only fit one way?

They are off sett so the UJ yokes won't hit the bolts on full articulation.




I just made that up but I'm probably correct