As the front wheels on not normally 'driven' on UK roads - does anyone know if split front driveshaft boots constitute an MOT failiure?
My vehicle is hiace 4wd but I think the replacement procedure would be the same/similar to townace 4wd.
Does anyone know roughly how long per side the job may take?
I'm torn between getting the gaffer tape out, booking it into a garage (scary!), or having a go myself when summer comes

- (#9609) chris turner, 26 Mar 04 10:11

Shouldn't be a failure. But by the same token shouldn't be a big problem to sort. Driveshafts come out easily enough ( flange at the diff end, bolt behind the freewheel hub, might have to split the bottom balljoint to let it all out) and I'm sure a man of your calibre can source and fit a boot...

- (#9609) david miller, 26 Mar 04 11:46

Beg to differ Dave, I think the driveshaft gaiters would be a MOT failure, whether on the normally driven axle or not, just the very fact it has the driveshaft joints means the gaiters must be in tact, unless you removed the front prop to prove front drive cannot be engaged. The MOT would in effect take these into consideration just because they are fitted.

Regards Rob.

- (#9609) Rob Drinkwater, 26 Mar 04 13:17

Surely disengaging the front hubs would do the same Rob? It's selectable 4x4 and you can't use it on normal roads anyhow.
Either way, it's still not a big job to change the gaiter...

- (#9609) david miller, 26 Mar 04 16:17

Yeah I agree, this would have to constitute a failure, because even if they were not being powered they are still turning all the time, and if the gaiter is split, then the joint will wear rapidy.

Chris gettim fixed rapidly, in this weather you will have all sorts of rubbish in there within miles.

- (#9609) Master_Simon, 27 Mar 04 01:42

No, Simon. They don't turn all the time. The lever or button disconnects drive at the transfer case, the front hubs disconnect the shafts from the wheels. Have both disengaged and the front diff, shafts and propshafts are boat anchor material...

- (#9609) david miller, 27 Mar 04 06:46

What a lot of anchors!
If only they were all the same eh?
My sis has a Scooby Forester and I know she wishes hers would disconnect like that.
So are you saying they come with freewheeling hubs as standard?
Rgds

- (#9609) Master_Simon, 27 Mar 04 07:22

Yup.

- (#9609) david miller, 27 Mar 04 09:55

Thanks guys,
When it gets a bit warmer and drier outside I'll give it a go myself. Come to think of it theres a few bits and bats in the glovebox to fit underneath also. Crawling about in the muck is strictly emergencies only these days....

- (#9609) chris turner, 28 Mar 04 11:33

I would have thought that it would be in your own best interests to replace them anyway - any split in them will only allow contamination of the joint and hence wear it out. It may not be a big issue, but it will eventually cause you problems - that's why they put them on in the first place of course!


- (#9609) DaveW, 28 Mar 04 17:41