new drive shaft vibration

MGT · Oct 18, 2019

Just fitted a new off side front drive shaft to Freelander 1 and am experiencing some vibration when steering left.
I did it twice to make sure the shaft was seated correctly, but on reflection I did not use a lift to bring the hub up to level before fitting, so kind of levered it in there at an angle.
Is it possible for a drive shaft to function normally but cause vibration unless fitted a particular way?

This is a new one - Allmakes. I did use another one prior to this off a donor car, and that was perfectly fine - just the wrong year and didn't have abs ring.

I thought maybe it is a wheel alignment issue, but before I get that done thought I would ask if there is a chance I have fitted it badly.

Nodge68 · Oct 18, 2019

I've yet to find cheap aftermarket shaft that doesn't vibrate.

The only ones that don't vibrate are GKN shafts.

MGT · Oct 18, 2019

Nodge68 said:
I've yet to find cheap aftermarket shaft that doesn't vibrate.

The only ones that don't vibrate are GKN shafts.

Thanks. I would expect them to not last as long, but not to vibrate straight away. Still, if you've fitted them and had the same issue I guess that's my answer..

Nodge68 · Oct 18, 2019

MGT said:
Thanks. I would expect them to not last as long, but not to vibrate straight away. Still, if you've fitted them and had the same issue I guess that's my answer..

It's very common for aftermarket shafts to vibrate. It's a relatively common question on here.

MGT · Oct 18, 2019

Nodge68 said:
It's very common for aftermarket shafts to vibrate. It's a relatively common question on here.

Ok, thanks. I did do a search before posting but evidently not thorough enough. I wish I had searched properly before buying. You just don't expect it, what with it being new. I think I will buy a secondhand LR one or GKN if I can find one.
it's old and beat up a bit and cost virtually nothing to buy, so I don't fancy spending good money on expensive parts when so much is wrong with it.

Nodge68 · Oct 19, 2019

MGT said:
I think I will buy a secondhand LR one or GKN if I can find one.
it's old and beat up a bit and cost virtually nothing to buy

Use the old shaft and fit the new outer CV to it. The inner joint is the one that normally causes the vibration. So if you use the new outer joint on the old shaft, you'll have the ABS ring, and a non vibrating inner joint.

MGT · Oct 19, 2019

Thanks Nodge, I think I will give that a go. I ordered another second hand one -original part by the look of it- but I may as well have a go at that anyway, seeing as I will have the parts. Now you mention that option I could have taken the broken original and the one I tool off the donor car and made one functioning unit out of them.
I will have a look on you tube for a video of how to do it.
Its the last time I buy cheap ****e like that - would rather have decent used.

Not just vibration but I got the three amigos back after they had disappeared. I assume that is the effect of the vibration. There should be a law against selling not fit for purpose junk, even if it is cheap.

MGT · Oct 24, 2019

Just an update on this - mainly to confirm the advice of Nodge 68. I replaced the new all makes driveshaft with a second hand original part and the vibration has completely gone. Nothing, therefore, wrong with the fitting - it was just the aftermarket shaft that was the problem.
Now I am hoping they will take it back.

Nodge68 · Oct 24, 2019

MGT said:
Just an update on this - mainly to confirm the advice of Nodge 68. I replaced the new all makes driveshaft with a second hand original part and the vibration has completely gone. Nothing, therefore, wrong with the fitting - it was just the aftermarket shaft that was the problem

Glad you're sorted. It's just a shame that you had to find out that aftermarket shafts are garbage. The GKN tri lobe in-board joint is the only one that works on the Freelander's suspension setup.

Fingers crossed you can return is as not fit for purpose.

MGT · Oct 24, 2019

Nodge68 said:
Glad you're sorted. It's just a shame that you had to find out that aftermarket shafts are garbage. The GKN tri lobe in-board joint is the only one that works on the Freelander's suspension setup.

Fingers crossed you can return is as not fit for purpose.

I've left two message, with no reply to date. I'm not going to stress about it but will leave the appropriate feedback (eBay) if it isn't sorted.
What puzzles me is that 4x4 suppliers must surely know there is a problem with these shafts. I bought it because I assumed they will have fitted them themselves without issue. And then I read on here that they are known to be rubbish.
On the plus side the time it takes me to do a driveshaft has reduced quite a bit.

new drive shaft vibration

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