newbie drive eshaft question

I did have a look, so sorry if it has been covered before.
Never changed a driveshaft before so a bit confused by one thing - after I put the new one in and bolted up the hub prior to putting the hub nut on I noticed that I had to pull the drive shaft to get the thread all the way through the hub. So even though the hub is in place with the two bolts tightened there is front to back movement in the drive shaft. That went away when `I tightened the hub nut and then I found there was no more play than on the other side, which hasn't been changed. However it seems odd because there is nothing locking down the drive shaft where it goes into the ird - just sits in there and a crowbar will nudge it out. but it drives ok for the few hundred yards I tested it on.
I am guessing that is how they are designed, but I do not want to be proved wrong in the middle lane of the `M5.
FYI the 'new' driveshaft I gook off a 2004 td4 to put onto a 2002 td4. They looked the same.

The driveshaft is held into the IRD with a C clip. This snaps in when the joint is pushed home.

MGT said:

FYI the 'new' driveshaft I gook off a 2004 td4 to put onto a 2002 td4. They looked the same

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You can put a 2002 shaft on a 2004, but not the other way round.

Nodge68 said:

The driveshaft is held into the IRD with a C clip. This snaps in when the joint is pushed home.

You can put a 2002 shaft on a 2004, but not the other way round.

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yes I saw the clip and wondered but didn't seem enough.
That's a bloody nuisance about not being able to use the 2004 driveshaft, but I guess explains the extra. movement. Thank you for that.

It's actually 2003 model I took driveshaft from (registered July 2003). I will google to see if it is a match, but if you are still on this thread and know I'd be grateful if you'd let me know.

MGT said:

will google to see if it is a match, but if you are still on this thread and know I'd be grateful if you'd let me know.

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The only difference between the 2002 and 2004 shafts is that the earlier one uses a different ABS sensor setup. The shaft are physically identical, except for the ABS ring is missing from the later car.

Explains the warning light - I thought maybe I had done some damage when I changed it. Thanks.

The VIN number change for the bearing (which was changed to match the later ABS system) details are;
There are 2 types of bearing for the F 1 - ANR5861 which serves up until VIN 1A999999 and
RFC000010 which serves from 2A000001

So up to 1A999999 was the reluctor ring and black connector sensor plugs and from 2A000001 is without the ring and uses the magnetic bearing and blue ABS plugs.
Change was in 2002 MY as above but best to check VIN.

andyfreelandy said:

The VIN number change for the bearing (which was changed to match the later ABS system) details are;
There are 2 types of bearing for the F 1 - ANR5861 which serves up until VIN 1A999999 and
RFC000010 which serves from 2A000001

So up to 1A999999 was the reluctor ring and black connector sensor plugs and from 2A000001 is without the ring and uses the magnetic bearing and blue ABS plugs.
Change was in 2002 MY as above but best to check VIN.

Click to expand...

That’s great, thanks very much.