Suspension and Driveshaft

I’ve been under my TDi this evening, trying to find the source of the mystery ‘clunk’ from the offside front wheel area, and have discovered that the driveshaft had an alarming amount of play in it. I take it it’s easier to replace the whole part than to rebuild? In which case are there any recommendations from members? I’m equally puzzled by the difference in price between the petrol and diesel types, petrol ones on Fleabay seem to be at a reasonable £60-£80 mark whilst the only TDi OSF one I could find was a rather stomach churning £360. Am I looking in the wrong place, or are there other options around?
 
I’ve been under my TDi this evening, trying to find the source of the mystery ‘clunk’ from the offside front wheel area, and have discovered that the driveshaft had an alarming amount of play in it. I take it it’s easier to replace the whole part than to rebuild? In which case are there any recommendations from members? I’m equally puzzled by the difference in price between the petrol and diesel types, petrol ones on Fleabay seem to be at a reasonable £60-£80 mark whilst the only TDi OSF one I could find was a rather stomach churning £360. Am I looking in the wrong place, or are there other options around?
I think I may have bought the last of the good priced OSF ones, very sorry about that. If the actual shaft is in good condition then if you want to replace both joints then I reckon it would be a straightforward once you have it out the car, just need a vice or something to hold the shaft while you remove the CVS using a rubber mallet.

I replaced the whole drive shaft because the outer was really corroded
 
I think I may have bought the last of the good priced OSF ones, very sorry about that. If the actual shaft is in good condition then if you want to replace both joints then I reckon it would be a straightforward once you have it out the car, just need a vice or something to hold the shaft while you remove the CVS using a rubber mallet.

I replaced the whole drive shaft because the outer was really corroded
If you can only buy the "wrong" side for a good price, just buy it and use the parts to make up what will be an essentially new shaft using just the original bare shaft.

RAB
 
In the days when I used the 1.2Tdi intensively, there was always at least one weeks delay between ordering a drive shaft from VW and delivery, the cars not being a UK model. The drive shafts are similar but all different, the A2 ones being slightly longer and not interchangeable with the Lupo. So I kept one spare shaft in the garage and used it to replace any one of the four variants.

RAB
 
Based on my limited knowledge but recent working on the inner driveshaft boots, I would be surprised if the the driveshaft per se is damaged...it is a fairly hefty piece of kit and the 'bad condition' is more likely to be surface rusting only. In my case, the innner boots etc were changed/regreased and everything is running smooth now.
 
Maybe this info from our German friends will help (use chrome and auto translate):
https://wiki.a2-freun.de/wiki/index.php/Gelenkwellen

copy paste from forum: - the nut in my case was ok from the meyle part itself (no replacement needed)
" External joints (wheel side)
1.2TDI
Type: constant velocity joint
Part number: 6E0 498 099 (Meyle 100 498 0152, nut from set does not fit, so get a replacement), SKF VKJA 5201
"
" Inner joints (gearbox side)
1.2TDI
Type: tripod joint
Part number: Not available as an original spare part, but the tripod from the repair kits with the following part numbers can be used: 1J0 498 103 K (identical to 1.4 TDI), 1J0 407 341 F, 1J0 407 341 D Note: The joint protection sleeve (sleeve) from the repair kit does not fit because it is intended for the 1.4 TDI flanges. The right one for the 1.2 TDI must be obtained here. The participants for this: 6E0 498 201

"
The wheel side is easy to find and works ok. The real issue is the gearbox side.

Unfortunately I changed the "tripod" gearbox side and it does not seem to fit properly (as on German forum). I have some extra clacking. Unfortunately I wasn't there when the mechanic changed it. I am looking into changing inner shaft flange too.

from @RAB : "The inner shaft flange for the A2 1.2Tdi and Lupo 3L are identical, 6E0407279 for left and 6E0407280 for right. The drive shafts are identical except that the A2 shafts are slightly longer and are not interchangeable. Any shaft can be converted into the correct shaft required by using the original bare shaft."
 
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ANY IDEEA if the "cups" from the gearbox are the same for lupo 3l and for audi3l? New oem "cups" cost around 200 euro / piece.
(I refer to "cups" as the receptive part of the drive shaft towards the gearbox --where the tripod enters --the one that has to be changed compl
The inner shaft flange for the A2 1.2Tdi and Lupo 3L are identical, 6E0407279 for left and 6E0407280 for right. The drive shafts are identical except that the A2 shafts are slightly longer and are not interchangeable. Any shaft can be converted into the correct shaft required by using the original bare shaft.

RAB
 
I’ve been under my TDi this evening, trying to find the source of the mystery ‘clunk’ from the offside front wheel area, and have discovered that the driveshaft had an alarming amount of play in it. I take it it’s easier to replace the whole part than to rebuild? In which case are there any recommendations from members? I’m equally puzzled by the difference in price between the petrol and diesel types, petrol ones on Fleabay seem to be at a reasonable £60-£80 mark whilst the only TDi OSF one I could find was a rather stomach churning £360. Am I looking in the wrong place, or are there other options around?

I had a knock on take up of the clutch on tdi and thought it was the dogbone mount so replaced that but no difference and then realised loads of play in osf driveshaft when changing wheel. Spoke to local euro car parts and they did an exchange part offer for a refurbished driveshaft for £100. Been great since and got rid of vibration at high speed that I had thought was bent alloy wheel!

JonnyL
 
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