Very well documented issue.
Drive shaft bearing failure
Anyone from Oz read this post and been following it?
www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f62/drive-shaft-replacement-18176-2.html#post245493
A bit of a potential worry if you ask me. Have a read of posts #19 and #20 as this seems to address a fix with parts from a reputable US supplier.
Has any Oz owner had an issue with this bearing carrier? Seems to me that this is a potential periodic maintenance fix, i.e, replace the parts before they fail. I wonder what our dealers know about it?
Is this bearing carrier common on all Tregs? Are all drive shafts the same? I'm starting to think I should have a look at this. Looks simple enough to DIY with the right parts.
www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f62/drive-shaft-replacement-18176-2.html#post245493
A bit of a potential worry if you ask me. Have a read of posts #19 and #20 as this seems to address a fix with parts from a reputable US supplier.
Has any Oz owner had an issue with this bearing carrier? Seems to me that this is a potential periodic maintenance fix, i.e, replace the parts before they fail. I wonder what our dealers know about it?
Is this bearing carrier common on all Tregs? Are all drive shafts the same? I'm starting to think I should have a look at this. Looks simple enough to DIY with the right parts.
1 - 20 of 608 Posts
Yes, it is, which is very useful. But I've not come across it with owners down here (yet).Very well documented issue.
I tracked down the US supplier and the part is listed on eBay as Item number:140488851298. Cheap, if this is all that is required. What I want to know is if the 3.2 FSI has the same centre bearing carrier part as the 3.0 TDI. I'm not sure if the V8 or V10 use the same part. I'll email the seller anyway and ask a Q. If it is the same as the 3.2, then seems it would be worth the small $'s to get one (as sh1t always happens).
This looks to be the OEM part No: 7L0 521 407.
This looks to be the OEM part No: 7L0 521 407.
Seller responded to eBay message in 5 mins! He say's the part fits the 3.0 TDI. It's on its way and I'm happy to pay $100 for peace of mind. Part to be kept as a spare with the Treg till I need it/get underneath and have a squiz at the state of mine. And yes, I'm a tad paranoid about crap like this happening...I spent too much time working on aircraft, so I know better than wait till it fails. I'm not going to rely on dealer servicing to pick something like this up on a service. Even if they did, I'd be paying a motza for it.
How are you going to get it changed out ?
I have been also watching it on eBay, but not sure if I can find competent shop to get it swapped out when time comes. It requires a press to disassemble the shaft and then balancing after they replace the bearing.
I have been also watching it on eBay, but not sure if I can find competent shop to get it swapped out when time comes. It requires a press to disassemble the shaft and then balancing after they replace the bearing.
I'll read the DIY bits through. I know people in the motor trade, so I'll get it done at a cheap rate if any special requirements beyond my own mechanical skills. But, I'll have a look under a hoist and check the condition of mine now that I know what I'm looking for.How are you going to get it changed out ?
I have been also watching it on eBay, but not sure if I can find competent shop to get it swapped out when time comes. It requires a press to disassemble the shaft and then balancing after they replace the bearing.
Hang on, I did a search through here and all I found (so far) was owner threads and comment about costly rectification after failure. That makes no sense to me. So, am I correct in deducing that there is a frequency of drive shaft centre carriers/bearings that fail (apparently prematurely), but they appear not to be checked during routine servicing? That cannot possibly be true - surely they are checked? Logically, if they were a planned maintenance item, then they'd be replaced at XYZ klms/miles. VW MTBF data should be picking this up. If the carrier or bearing fails before it was intended, then the feedback of data should indicate VW issuing a TSB for rectification at their cost. Of course, no maker wants the public to know MTBF if the figures mean out-of-warranty costs to the maker (thus, extra expense). Some owners have paid a high $ price for a replacement $50 part. I'd be happy for some feedback on this or correct me if I'm getting out of context with the thread.
The same problem was just identified on my 04 V6 3.2L Treg by the dealer. They suggest to replace the whole propshaft and they charge a lot on it.
It seems not a lot mechanicians had experience handling this.
It seems not a lot mechanicians had experience handling this.
It's a non repairable/ non maintainable item as far as VW is concerned and it's not checked on service.
The VW solution is a brand new - not even reconditioned - prop shaft at GB£800-1,000 for the repair.
The bearing replacement can be done by any comptetent transmission specialist or mechanic.
They fail around 60-80K miles.
Don't drive the car if it goes. You can damage the gearbox at GB£5,000 a pop.
The VW solution is a brand new - not even reconditioned - prop shaft at GB£800-1,000 for the repair.
The bearing replacement can be done by any comptetent transmission specialist or mechanic.
They fail around 60-80K miles.
Don't drive the car if it goes. You can damage the gearbox at GB£5,000 a pop.
So basically you crawl under the vehicle and grab ahold of the shaft near this bearing and try to wobble the shaft around. I gather that no to little (3mm) movement is OK and anything more is sign of wear. From what I gather it's the rubber that fails and not so much the bearing itself.
Also, I have yet to take a look at the prop shaft design, but on some cars (BMW 535I) you can unbolt the two sections of the prop shaft and the bearing then can be removed (pulled, or pressed) off and replaced. I would think that if you make sure that the two shaft pieces are indexed upon reassembly, that balancing wouldn't be needed? Perhaps I'm wrong, but I know as soon as mine begins to show signs of wear I'm going to DIY this fix and see if it works.
Does anyone have one of these shafts laying around they can post some pictures of the failure?
BTW, my 04 54K mile Touareg shows no signs of slop at the bearing... hope it lasts!
Also, I have yet to take a look at the prop shaft design, but on some cars (BMW 535I) you can unbolt the two sections of the prop shaft and the bearing then can be removed (pulled, or pressed) off and replaced. I would think that if you make sure that the two shaft pieces are indexed upon reassembly, that balancing wouldn't be needed? Perhaps I'm wrong, but I know as soon as mine begins to show signs of wear I'm going to DIY this fix and see if it works.
Does anyone have one of these shafts laying around they can post some pictures of the failure?
BTW, my 04 54K mile Touareg shows no signs of slop at the bearing... hope it lasts!
Do a search - quite few pix of failure and mods too.
Enter: drive shaft failure
first pic
http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10497&d=1287020299
first pic
http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10497&d=1287020299
They sell the bearing separately on EBAY. Does that mean we can replace the bearing part ONLY, rather than the whole shaft?Enter: drive shaft failure
first pic
http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10497&d=1287020299
AUDI Q7 AND VW TOUAREG DRIVESHAFT SUPPORT BEARING - eBay (item 140488851298 end time Jan-09-11 15:06:05 PST)
It looks like the rubber was the issue in this picture, but that bearing wasn't too far behind with corrosion. I'm sure this is worse in some areas than others due to salting/moisture.Enter: drive shaft failure
first pic
http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10497&d=1287020299
It also looks like you disassemble the cv boot, take apart the joint, then pull/press on a new bearing.
Some of the replacements I've seen change the CV design to a different joint type. This may have it's advantages too.
Hi OILSLURPER, looks you've got a spare and wondering if it is the bearing only or the whole shaft? I followed it on EBAY while found it is only the bearing part. Not sure if I need the whole driveshaft.Hang on, I did a search through here and all I found (so far) was owner threads and comment about costly rectification after failure. That makes no sense to me. So, am I correct in deducing that there is a frequency of drive shaft centre carriers/bearings that fail (apparently prematurely), but they appear not to be checked during routine servicing? That cannot possibly be true - surely they are checked? Logically, if they were a planned maintenance item, then they'd be replaced at XYZ klms/miles. VW MTBF data should be picking this up. If the carrier or bearing fails before it was intended, then the feedback of data should indicate VW issuing a TSB for rectification at their cost. Of course, no maker wants the public to know MTBF if the figures mean out-of-warranty costs to the maker (thus, extra expense). Some owners have paid a high $ price for a replacement $50 part. I'd be happy for some feedback on this or correct me if I'm getting out of context with the thread.
The part is depicted as the carrier and bearing, so that's what I'm expecting in the seller package. What I don't understand on this thread is why the driveshaft needs replacing. Ok, if the bearing failed and the driveshaft sh1t itself, I get that. Otherwise, I do not see why it has to be replaced (unless it's otherwise damaged). I'm all for preventive maintenance. If, when I get underneath and have look and mine is still sound, then all good. If the rubber is showing signs of fatigue, I'll replace the carrier and bearing. If I remove mine, there should be no need to rebalance the d/shaft if I mark the ends before I remove them and then align the marks on the refit. Someone please enlighten me further if I'm wrong on this logic.Hi OILSLURPER, looks you've got a spare and wondering if it is the bearing only or the whole shaft? I followed it on EBAY while found it is only the bearing part. Not sure if I need the whole driveshaft.
Hey, the other thing is this, this is not just a quirk with the Treg; it happens on other 4x4's and AWD's from what I've learnt. As I said, proper preventive maintenance (from VW servicing) should have picked this stuff up. These guys know when the fail (Mean Time Between Failure - MTBF). If for eg, the MTBF (from collected service/repair/warranty data) is 60,000 odo clicks, then they should be pulled at say, 50,000 odo clicks. It's a cheap fix compared to failure and the sh1t hitting the fan after it fails. Make sense?
Sorry mate but I still maintain that a centre bearing failure @ 50-60000km is WAY premature unless you've jacked the car up off the chassis to make the angle it's working at too great but it's a bit hard on a Treg as there isn't one. It should last 160-200 at least , really normal expectations would be more like 300000km and failure before that is a design fault to be covered by the manufacturer regardless of age of vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just my 2 bob's worth, John.Hey, the other thing is this, this is not just a quirk with the Treg; it happens on other 4x4's and AWD's from what I've learnt. As I said, proper preventive maintenance (from VW servicing) should have picked this stuff up. These guys know when the fail (Mean Time Between Failure - MTBF). If for eg, the MTBF (from collected service/repair/warranty data) is 60,000 odo clicks, then they should be pulled at say, 50,000 odo clicks. It's a cheap fix compared to failure and the sh1t hitting the fan after it fails. Make sense?
There's a US thread on this topic and suggest you have a read at when the failure is occuring.....it's very early:It should last 160-200 at least , really normal expectations would be more like 300000km and failure before that is a design fault to be covered by the manufacturer regardless of age of vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just my 2 bob's worth, John.
www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f43/drive-shaft-death-43744.html
and this one too:
www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f62/drive-shaft-replacement-18176.html
1 - 20 of 608 Posts
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