Trick drive shaft flange!

[twoqu]

Hi Guys,
Whilst poking round a fellow nutcases's vehicle yesterday, we came across the following neat trick performed by the drive shaft flange.
IN!

[twoqu]

And Out!

[twoqu]

So what can cause the driveshaft flange to move? Is it likely to be a loose nut or something more sinister?

[SteveH]

The inner flange is attached to the diff, I don't think it's supposed to move like that!
On the boxes I've seen there's no bolt holding it in. I think it must be attached from within the gearbox/diff. Looks like something isn't right

[twoqu]

Steve,
Yep, I agree. I think it must be secured by a long bolt through into the output shaft.
Perhaps the bolts has loosened off somehow!

[SteveH]

Perhaps the bolts has loosened off somehow!

Hopefully, become loose and not snapped off

[Audi Parts Guru]

These drive shaft flanges are normally held in place by a circlip that sits on the end where the flange enters the diff. They are simply " popped " into place.

However, on the S2 CGR gearbox there is an allen key head bolt that holds it in place

[audiman]

Those shafts on the 3B gearbox are held in place, as Paul said, by circlips. They do move in and out a wee bit, maybe 3mm. To remove them you just lever from behind and they pop off the circlip, might be an idea to change the seals too

[audiman]

Looking at those pictures, it appears that the shafts move a bit too much

[Mark Halligan]

Looking at those pictures, it appears that the shafts move a bit too much

LOL, just a bit!

[porkkis]

The circlip has broken and that's why. Probably no more harm done if it hasn't been like that for long. Othervise the CV joints may fail.