Lude Generation

I am helping a pal get his manual 5th gen 2l ready for mot.
He had to replace the outer cv gaiter and did this on his own. Taking the hub nut off and on by putting the car in gear.
He also lost a small amount of gear box fluid when changing the driveshaft.
He then started the car in gear without depressing the clutch and stalled it.
Now there is no drive when putting the car into gear.

I think he has broken something in the gearbox.
What do you guys think?
Anything we should check....

If the inner CV was removed from the gearbox to the extent that the oil leaked out - then the most likely scenario is that the inner CV has not been pushed home fully.

At the end of the inner CV splines, there is a retaining spring clip (hog ring/snap ring whatever you want to call it, not a C clip or circlip!). It can take quite a whack to get this to compress and slide back into the diff and then pop up when its fully seated. Its easy to remove the CV because you can lever the CV against the gearbox housing. Putting it in however you have no such direct connection.

You cannot really hammer on the CV, because the end is covered by the boot.

The only real way is to ram it home with some force, or, line up the driveshaft completely straight and tap the end of the outer CV to drive it home (being careful not to damage the thread).

If the speedo registers any kind of speed, the differential is turning at least (well, at least the outside of it is!).

It is unlikely that:

1) driveshaft is twisted/snapped/rusted through. (although this can happen, but should be visible from under the car)
2) the gearbox is broke - it takes quite a lot, and you would get warning before hand usually. Horrible noises, etc.

Scott560 wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:38 pm

If the inner CV was removed from the gearbox to the extent that the oil leaked out - then the most likely scenario is that the inner CV has not been pushed home fully.

I would agree with this. The gearbox won't give any power to either wheel unless both shafts are connected properly. It's possible to do this on the drivers side, the passenger side has the intermediate shaft that pretty much dictates the only position it can be in.

The car still has no drive after trying to push the shaft back into position, I would remove the shaft and see if the splines are ok.

100% wot they sed

Thanks for the replies.
Just to say the driveshaft was removed so outer cv could be checked and new boot fitted. I did say for him to make sure the inner cv joint was put back into the gearbox correctly.

I think you are all right so will get that checked out.
Thanks

Advice given was spot on - the drivers side inner shaft had not been seated properly - an easy fix.

My pal text me and says "Grateful to your buddies who know!" "Sorted!!!"