play in rear wheel.... what is the most likely cause?

[LHD_Kid]

Poking about trying to find anything else which has broken today, so I can try and get everything ok...
I jacked up the rear of the car, grabbed wheel and tried to wobble... offside fine, near side has some play in it... its not play at the wheel end (so I am guessing not wheel bearing) of the driveshaft, its at the diff end, as the whole shaft wobbles with the wheel, not much but can be moved... what is the most likely cause of this? Is it inner CV joint?
In which case, what needs to be bought, and how easy is it to do, basically do you need any specialist equipment, such as a press, or a puller or such like...
Thanks for any advice,
Chris

[iain1067]

According to bentley manual it's a press on/off job, never having done an inner one i can't say much more, the outer joint can be taken off by winding the bolt back in until it pops off (after first removing a circlip). the inner has a gasket that needs to be replaced, to do up the clips i use a pair of pliers used for pulling nails out!!

Iain

[LHD_Kid]

Hmmm, not sure this is something which can be undertaken here or not....
You reckon it willbe the inner CV joint then?
(I told you everything was breaking... )

[4WheelDrifter]

The CV joints should move AFAIK, to allow suspension movement. It's the wishbones, ball joints, track rods, top mounts and subframe mounts that hold the hub and wheel steady relative to the chassis.

[LHD_Kid]

The CV joints should move AFAIK, to allow suspension movement. It's the wishbones, ball joints, track rods, top mounts and subframe mounts that hold the hub and wheel steady relative to the chassis.

So, if I can find somewhere with a ramp, get the rear up, wobble absolutely everything to see where the play is....
As I say, it is only one side, and play only shows with the entire driveshaft moving....
I am going to have to try and find a ramp somewhere.... God knows where...!
Thanks
Chris

[newsh]

If the drive shaft can move backwards and forwards in relation to the car then it must be the wishbone bushes or the bottom ball joint IMHO. Get someone to wobble the wheel for you while you reach round and feel for the play at the bushes and ball joints.

[LHD_Kid]

If the drive shaft can move backwards and forwards in relation to the car then it must be the wishbone bushes or the bottom ball joint IMHO. Get someone to wobble the wheel for you while you reach round and feel for the play at the bushes and ball joints.

Yes, that makes sense... I can wobble the 'wheel' by rocking top and bottom, as well as front and back.... but as you say, I need to see exactly where, and feel as much as possible....
which can be done with my usual large heavy beechwood log axle stand...

[iain1067]

That'll be me then will it???


iain

[caterpillar]

the org bearing DOES have som play, and they cant be adjust either, and there are som play in the spline.....about 1,5-2mm total pr side

[LHD_Kid]

That'll be me then will it???


iain

nonononononono mr Iain sir.. you're doing just about enough as it is..!
Although, if it turns out to be bushes, I might need to send them here via your suitcase too.....!!!!!!!

[S2central.net]

I'd say bushes, but agree it could also be the bottom joint or the track-rod end... None of which are painless jobs on the S2... BUt they aren't rocket science either. Most annoying bit is removing old bushes and installing new ones if you don't have a press - make friends with a local garage to get them to do it on their press.

Paul

[LHD_Kid]

local garage to get them to do it on their press.

Paul

You haven't been here have you Paul..... Nearly fell off my chair with that....
But you're right, I need to find some way of doing it, if that is the problem.... I will hopefully find out tomorrow, would I be right insaying MRC, or Corey or anyone would keep the bushes in stock? Its just that I would need them delivered to a friend by Friday at the latest (if it is the problem) abd then they can wing there way here in days, rather than weeks...!
Thanks for all the advice again, one day it will last a whole week without going wrong...!

[S2central.net]

Is it *THAT* bad over there ?

If so then you'll be carefully removing the old ones with a hacksaw blade (and/or blowtorch) then make up a DIY tool to press in the new ones. Get the fairy liquid ready - or whatever the local brew of similar is available

PAul

[iain1067]

Big vice will get them in with a little grease, or one time when i was working at audi saw a tech smack the arm on the floor to get the bushes in. getting them out well you can burn the out or drill the rubber out with several holes and the twist the centre, carefully hack saw the metal outer sleeve top and botoom and knock em with a hammer (drill and cut btdt a good few times).

iain

[LHD_Kid]

Bottom ball joint is the culprit...
don't think this is as big a problem as doing the bushes... No specialist tools required, I hope...!
Thanks guys... now, where did I put VAG parts number.........