Please could someone tell me whether to remove the drive shaft at the gearbox end or wheel end to replace it? I've tried SEARCH but it seems inconclusive. Thanks.

Keith

Wheel end.

Wheel end involves undoing one 32mm nut. Brake disc end involves taking the caliper off (I think) and the six 14mm nut/bolts from the disc/drive flange. And it's a bit of a faff.

probably best to remove the whole unit, won't take very long to do!! much easier to work on when its off the car!

Thanks guys

Just so you've got one of each opinion,( ) I'd probably take off the gearbox end. Not everyone's got a 32mm socket and the nut on the wheel end will be tight. I can't remember there being any need to remove the calliper, but the 4 bolts and 2 nuts holding it to the brake disc are fiddly to get to.

If you've got the right socket ,and a volunteer to stand on the brakes while you undo the nut, then do the wheel end. If not, do the gearbox end. Whichever you go for jack the car right up, to fully extend the shaft(oo-er!).

The quickest way is to remove the wheel end, but that depends on having a 3/4" bar and socket available to remove the driveshaft nut.

About 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish, since you don't need to remove the wing, which would be required if you decided to disconnect the inner end from the gearbox...

ken.

Thanks again for even more prompt advice - this forum sure is a wealth of knowledge .

Yes I've got 3/4" drive socket set and the 32mm has been used because it's cruddy but I can't for the life of me remember when or why (?). I'm used to Beetle drive shaft nuts (36mm?) and 240 lb ft from memory jumping on to a 6 foot scaffold poll with a willing wife on the brake pedal. And I have to get the wing off anyway to reset the exhaust valve clearance to 10 thou, I read about this on here just after I had set it to 8 thou .

Promise I'll let you know how it goes.

Edit. Sorry further question, what's the drive shaft nut torque?

Further edit. Doesn't really matter as my torque wrench is 1/2" drive and I haven't got a 32mm socket for it. So it would just have to be b***dy tight

Joolz is right, you don't need to remove the caliper, i had a moment of confusion.

wheel end ....much quicker

(plus you have the narrow end dismounted and its the narrow end of the boot over the splines thats the tricky bit)