2004 Avensis Driveshaft Gone

[smoky2004]

Hello, I drive a 2004 1.8 auto Avensis. Driveshaft has just gone, had AA cover and got them to tow me home.

Is it easy to replace the driveshaft?

I'm not planning on doing it myself but just wanted an idea if it's a headache or simple job.

Thanks

[ents]

It`s more like a headache, but for a experienced mechanic it doesn`t take long.

[Konrad C]

If changing the complete driveshsaft yes.

http://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota/eu/2004/avensis/zzt251r-alpekw/3_273550_057_223W/powertrain-chassis/4302_front-drive-shaft

http://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota/eu/2004/avensis/zzt251r-alpekw/3_273550_057_223W/powertrain-chassis/4302_front-drive-shaft/2

http://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota/eu/2004/avensis/zzt251r-alpekw/3_273550_057_223W/powertrain-chassis/4802_front-axle-arm-steering-knuckle

http://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota/eu/2004/avensis/zzt251r-alpekw/3_273550_057_223W/powertrain-chassis/4303_front-axle-hub

Once the main nut to driveshaft has been removed, It is a matter of six nuts and bolts to be removed from the steering track rod end, the lower balljoint and the strut to hub. Then pop the inner shaft from the transmission. Then reversal.

The hard bit is getting a replacement at a reasonable cost.

Do you know what part of the drive shaft broke? It has numerous parts which could be replaced.

The worst thing that can happen is the spline drive is worn at either end!

[smoky2004]

Thank for the replies. I'm not sure what part is broke, will take it to the garage tomorrow morning. The cars an automatic. I was reversing very slowly and put the gearbox straight into drive whilst the car was still going backwards, next thing I can't get any gears. I thought it was the clutch originally until the AA man told me it's the driveshaft.

[Konrad C]

Thank for the replies. I'm not sure what part is broke, will take it to the garage tomorrow morning. The cars an automatic. I was reversing very slowly and put the gearbox straight into drive whilst the car was still going backwards, next thing I can't get any gears. I thought it was the clutch originally until the AA man told me it's the driveshaft.

I hope the AA man is right about the drive shaft because it is far cheaper and easier to repair than the transmission. One would think the auto transmission would absorb the torque.

There has been cases of the driveshaft snapping due to stress and corrosion.

I would like to know the final outcome.

[smoky2004]

Got the car to the garage this morning on a recovery truck. Mechanic said it's definitely the drive shaft, can't remember if he said nearside or offside . They have to order the part which may arrive Monday. I tried to price the driveshaft up myself, not listed on eurocarparts but from £80 upwards on eBay.

[fastbob72]

Thank for the replies. I'm not sure what part is broke, will take it to the garage tomorrow morning. The cars an automatic. I was reversing very slowly and put the gearbox straight into drive whilst the car was still going backwards, next thing I can't get any gears. I thought it was the clutch originally until the AA man told me it's the driveshaft.

I hope the AA man is right about the drive shaft because it is far cheaper and easier to repair than the transmission. One would think the auto transmission would absorb the torque.

There has been cases of the driveshaft snapping due to stress and corrosion.

I would like to know the final outcome.

That's an interesting point, my only experience of automatics has been driving automatic trucks which, unfortunately, is becoming more and more commonplace. I know that generally you cannot gear from reverse to forward gears with the vehicle in motion but theu tend to have the choice of forward, neutral and reverse unlike automaric cars that tend to have drive 1, 2 or 3..... don't they???? Either way you have to stop select neutral before selecting reverse or forward...... bloody pain in the a**e, give me good old manual anyday lol

[alan333]

my only experience of automatics has been driving automatic trucks which, unfortunately, is becoming more and more commonplace. I know that generally you cannot gear from reverse to forward gears with the vehicle in motion but theu tend to have the choice of forward, neutral and reverse unlike automaric cars that tend to have drive 1, 2 or 3..... don't they???? Either way you have to stop select neutral before selecting reverse or forward...... !Removed! pain in the a**e, give me good old manual anyday lol

The automatic Scanias and Dafs I've driven are actually manual boxes with an automatic clutch. Some Scannies also have a clutch pedal which is only used for pulling away and stopping, ie it still changes gear itself. You can also drive them in manual mode, allowing you to select particular gears for engine braking, or to stop it block-shifting too many gears at a time etc.

Some modern automatic cars have a similar (manual with auto clutch) box with flappy paddles etc, and with lots of these you choose forward or reverse like you do in the trucks. However with traditional torque converter automatics with the 1, 2 and 3... if you select 3 for example it'll only use 1st, 2nd and 3rd (but not 4th and upwards). With most of these you can shift from Reverse to Drive while still moving backwards slowly, although you're not supposed to.

BTW there's a fleet of about 120 trucks at my work and when we first got autos around 2008 we all hated them. However we learned how to use the box and when to choose manual etc, and everyone prefers autos now. The drawback is some of them are jerky at slow speeds so they crash back into a bay, or into the trailer when hooking up etc. That's far outweighed by lack of all that changing gears malarkey, that really takes it outa you. There's currently one manual in the fleet and it's ALWAYS the last one picked, everyone avoids it like the plague.

[smoky2004]

Just got the car back from the garage, cost more then I was expecting. £276 in total. £186.60 for the part, vat included, £30 surcharge, £60 for 1 hours labour.

I usually try to source the parts myself from eurocarparts, on this occasion I was unable to source a driveshaft (nearside front) and so was left with no option but to leave the garage to source the part.

I have used the garage over many years and they have always been pretty good with the quality of work and prices but I can't help thinking I've been had over on how much they claim the part cost. What do you guys think.

[alan333]

£186.60 for the part

I can't help thinking I've been had over on how much they claim the part cost. What do you guys think.

Wouldn't surprise me if that's correct. Toyota seem to charge a fortune for some parts. Reminds me of an old-school mechanic I knew, he said the parts are dear - just as well you don't need them much.

[smoky2004]

Just phoned Toyota to price the driveshaft up, with vat it was over £600.

[TomdeGuerre]

SIX HUNDRED QUID FOR A DRIVE SHAFT?????? That's nearly a full weeks benefits for some folk.

Talking of driveshafts and the like reminds me of the old farmer with a rear wheel drive car that broke down and had to be towed to the garage. They phoned him up later and told him it needed a new half shaft. The old farmer said Buggrr the half shaft, do the job right and put a full shaft in it!

[cmia]

depends what bit of the shaft was broken.. they probably added 10%>15% on it.

[smoky2004]

depends what bit of the shaft was broken.. they probably added 10%>15% on it.

It was snapped in half.

[cmia]

didnt fancy trying JB Weld?

lol

[smoky2004]

Since I have had the car back from the garage after replacing the driveshaft, it sometimes makes a knocking sound when put into gear. Most of the time it drives fine but very rarely I get this knocking sound. I have took the car back to the garage but the noise never happens when the mechanic is there. Any Ideas?

[smoky2004]

Just to add, I've only experienced the knocking sound when the car is put into reverse, most of the time it's fine and sometimes it seems very stiff when putting the car into gear but most of the time it's fine.

[gazza1286]

If the noise is a clunk at the moment of gear selection then I wouldn't worry. That happens periodically on most Toyotas I've owned.