Brumby Front Driveshafts
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:18 am
Hi everyone
I'm new to this group so probably don't know all the protocols. Perhaps this question has been asked before, and answered.
I've just bought my first Subaru, a 1992 Brumby, Perth city driven with 128,000km. I've driven it home here to Geraldton and it ran well, even outrunning a Land Cruiser with boat in tow on the Indian Ocean Drive (as it turned out the Brumby was only running on 3 cylinders due to a tight tappet!). It needed some servicing and most of this has now been done.
The mechanic replaced the front CV joint boots and now the joints are noisy (they weren't before). His boss told me that once the joints are taken apart, cleaned and repacked, that this can happen as the parts may be reassembled in different position. He also told me that they may still last another 10 years, even if the constant clicking on turns and load may drive me nuts.
I'd prefer to replace them than take a risk that they may disintegrate under load (which happened to me with a VW years ago). I'm told it's cheaper to replace the entire shaft assemblies rather than recondition them.
I used to do this sort of work myself years ago (back in VW Club days) but now no longer have the tools, ramps etc. Can you tell me please:
The mechanic's boss says price of the shafts have come down in past few years and he would replace them with shortest labour time, considering the work already done. I've searched for driveshafts on the net, to find some on eBay (everythingauto2007) for $160 each plus $25 postage (made in China); and some from SunSpares Parts Plus for $200 per shaft, with freight approx $65 - $75 a pair (origin unknown but reliable as they fit them in their workshop). I can't find any original Subaru parts to compare. I have yet to ask the mechanic for his price.
What is your advice please? I'm starting to love this little red Grumbler and want to get it into best condition.
Reg
I'm new to this group so probably don't know all the protocols. Perhaps this question has been asked before, and answered.
I've just bought my first Subaru, a 1992 Brumby, Perth city driven with 128,000km. I've driven it home here to Geraldton and it ran well, even outrunning a Land Cruiser with boat in tow on the Indian Ocean Drive (as it turned out the Brumby was only running on 3 cylinders due to a tight tappet!). It needed some servicing and most of this has now been done.
The mechanic replaced the front CV joint boots and now the joints are noisy (they weren't before). His boss told me that once the joints are taken apart, cleaned and repacked, that this can happen as the parts may be reassembled in different position. He also told me that they may still last another 10 years, even if the constant clicking on turns and load may drive me nuts.
I'd prefer to replace them than take a risk that they may disintegrate under load (which happened to me with a VW years ago). I'm told it's cheaper to replace the entire shaft assemblies rather than recondition them.
I used to do this sort of work myself years ago (back in VW Club days) but now no longer have the tools, ramps etc. Can you tell me please:
The mechanic's boss says price of the shafts have come down in past few years and he would replace them with shortest labour time, considering the work already done. I've searched for driveshafts on the net, to find some on eBay (everythingauto2007) for $160 each plus $25 postage (made in China); and some from SunSpares Parts Plus for $200 per shaft, with freight approx $65 - $75 a pair (origin unknown but reliable as they fit them in their workshop). I can't find any original Subaru parts to compare. I have yet to ask the mechanic for his price.
What is your advice please? I'm starting to love this little red Grumbler and want to get it into best condition.
Reg