Michael Benno

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14326/quattro_driveshaft1.1.jpg"></center><p>
I picked up my car this morning and had a chance to inspect the failed drive shaft.

First of all let me give you all some details on the driveshaft. The shaft is two main tubular steel sections with a pivot style bearing in the middle and a CV style bearing on each end. There is a hangar bearing on the middle that helps support the weight of the driveshaft.

The problem as diagnosed by the repair shop, Martix Integrated (http://www.matrixengineering.cc/), is that the bearing cages in the CV joints fail, and that replacement parts are not available from Audi. Martix also told me rebuilt joints and assemblies are not available. Subsequently they recommended I purchase the entire assembly ($900).

Today, I looked at the dismantled CV joint at one end of my failed drive shaft. The cage was not cracked as predicted. In fact the bearing assembly looked very good. IMHO I would have repaired that with new ball and grease. The CV joint at the other end was VERY stiff. The grease was VERY dry. I cannot tell you if the cage was cracked. I asked the shop to show me.

In my opinion, I believe the failure of the cage is caused by the grease in the joint drying out and the bearing hoping, grinding and binding. The binding would, in some cases, cause the cage to crack, or other parts of the bearing to fail. Remember, CV joints are HIGH pressure environments, that is why they use special high pressure grease.

Since, discussing this online, I have seen at least one vendor who offers rebuilt drive shafts, and I would suspect there are a few others that offer rebuilding service. I would appreciate any and all rebuilding resources you have. I am be able to rebuild my old driveshaft.

As I am typing this now, I am beginning to wonder if I should have expected the repair shop do find a rebuild and or have made the assessment to rebuild it once they had it out. It just seems to be when ever you need to replace a $900 part you should really seriously consider the viability of al other options.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Mike Benno
2000 A6 2.7t 6spd (94k)<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/threads/118249.phtml#488374">Please see previous thread:</a></li></ul>

4Driver4

Sell the old shaft.

Michael Benno

Should I rebuild it first?

Michael Benno

I was hoping someone with access to the Family Album could give me the part numbers and descriptions for the driveshaft, and respective bearings.<ul><li><a href="http://www.blauparts.com/parts%20dept/driveline/Driveshaft_Audi_Quattro_Parts.htm">Looks like Blau has some info</a></li></ul>

6ULDV8

not stipulate that your problem was with the center driveshaft. Audilights problem was with a side axle shaft so we all assumed that is what your problem was as well. So now that we have that straight, no you can not buy a rebuilt center driveshaft for $250. I have seen them for $399 but have not tried one yet. I posted later about cleaning and repacking the center shaft joints as they do dry out and cause a problem see link to thread below.

So the deal is if you can find the center shaft cv joints then you can repair the driveshaft and all is good. As Steve at ShadeTree said, if the center bearing or support is gone, your looking at buying a driveshaft period. Now I do have one trick that works quite well. Since I have not been able to find new joints for the center shaft I have been reversing the parts of the joints that I do have. This basically reverses everything to wear in the oposite direction. Since there is no wear on parts, they are essentially as new. This works very well and I have had no problems doing this, but I would rather replace with new if I could find the parts. I'm sure they are out there to be had, just have not found them yet. I think we should all be on the same page now.<ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/forum/a6.html">center shaft thread</a></li></ul>

4Driver4

Include some info on where to rebuild in your listing. Or hoard it for a spare.

Michael Benno

I did some research online and found some more information, some images. I can't figure out how to post multiple images per post so I will be posting a couple more times...

Here are some links of driveshaft related sources:

http://www.autopartsauthority.com/apa_driveshaft/audi~a6~2000~parts.html

http://www.drivewire.com/audiparts/catalog/audia6driveshaft.html

http://www.blauparts.com/parts%20dept/driveline/Driveshaft_Audi_Quattro_Parts.htm

http://www.wholesaleimportparts.com/driveshaft_catalog.php?make=Audi

If you know of more email them to me and I will update this post.

Michael Benno

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14326/k108026948lob1.jpg"></center><p>893-412-001 Driveshaft CV Joint. Aparently same part on both ends. I have heard about talk on the quattro list about people using a inner CV joint from a half shaft axle. Don't know the part number though.

Eric 2.7

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/488423.phtml">Clicky!</a></li></ul>

Michael Benno

Driveshaft (propshaft) = goes from transmission to rear differential.

Half-shaft (axles) = goes from differntial to wheels.