I took my newly acquired Z31 to my local mechanic to identify what had been knocking underneath the car.

It sounded like the offset rear shocker was gone or going. We put it up on the ramp and took a look. Underneath the car is very good, all newly poly bushed and new suspension all round. When we got to the diff, we had a look for play and the right hand side axle seemed to be disconnected from the diff. Sure enough when moved by hand, the assembly came away. With a short sharp push and with a satisfying clunk, the axle went back in. This was the source of the knocking. By hand you could not pull this away again.

 

Now I'm not familiar with this assembly, I've changed a CV joint before but this is the mating part into the diff.

He said that when some work had been carried out before, it seems someone had not put this back as it should be. There is a 'C' clip or similar that should hold that in place when fitted.

 

Not my assembly but the green part of the shaft is the shaft I'm referring to...

 

Ok, now for my questions.

Is this a more serious problem and i should have this looked at asap? I don't think this resolved the issue as I'm sure the knocking has come back. Meaning it may have popped out again.

Secondly, what exactly does hold this together and what is the process of strip down and replacing. Has this potentially done permanent damage? I can't see how the axel comes out like this without causing some real issue, but it looked to be in good condition.

 

Any advice or info on this would be appreciated, i don't want to drive the car right now.

 

Thanks

there should be a circlip on the halve shaft/axle keeping it inside the diff.

 

if it was missing on yours, it may have fallen inside the diff.

I'd remove the back cover of the diff and see if you can find it (if it has fallen inside the diff, it could do some serious damage there)

there should be a circlip on the halve shaft/axle keeping it inside the diff.

Normallly on a long nose R200 the circlip is inside the diff and the shaft clicks in to it.

 

With a short sharp push and with a satisfying clunk, the axle went back in. This was the source of the knocking. By hand you could not pull this away again.

 

my interpretation of this is that there is a circlip present???

It may be worn or damaged tho.

Ok that's helpful info, thanks.

So if it is this clip that's the issue, where would I go to source one?

Thanks

Quick update, so hopefully issue will be resolved.

 

Mike at MJP is sending me out a clip (breaking the bank at £1.75p) and I’ll fit that asap.

 

Jimmer at Powerzed said weld the thing up! That would certainly ensure it wouldn’t pop out again!

Jimmer at Powerzed said weld the thing up! That would certainly ensure it wouldn’t pop out again!

 

Im sure Jimmer is just kidding you!!

There is nothing to weld.

 

and I’ll fit that asap.

That will be a fun job. When you are there check carefully that the loose driveshaft has not damaged the oil seal lip.

First of all you need to see if there is a circlip in there?? If it is then removing it will be tricky. They are sprung in place down a splined tube

And if it's not in its groove then follow Lymon's advice and find out if its in the bottom of the casing.

 

This circlip may be the root cause of the problem or it may not be. It may only be a symptom and the root cause is else where in the assembly.

Im sure Jimmer is just kidding you!!

There is nothing to weld.

 

That will be a fun job. When you are there check carefully that the loose driveshaft has not damaged the oil seal lip.

First of all you need to see if there is a circlip in there?? If it is then removing it will be tricky. They are sprung in place down a splined tube

And if it's not in its groove then follow Lymon's advice and find out if its in the bottom of the casing.

 

This circlip may be the root cause of the problem or it may not be. It may only be a symptom and the root cause is else where in the assembly.

 

No joke. He meant welding the cast to the shaft…no more popping out.

 

I won’t be doing the job myself and yeah I will be checking for damage where I can. When you mention elsewhere in the assembly, the shaft only assembles with this clip, does it not?

No joke. He meant welding the cast to the shaft…no more popping out.

 

I'll get my coat then................................

After a few more days of driving it, the axle appears to be fine, sadly this isn't the issue causing the knocking, as it is still there.

I've had another mechanic on Friday have it up on the ramps after test driving it, he heard the knocking...he said suspension. When we had it on the ramps, everything appears to be solid, he could come up with anything.

 

The search continues!

You might be better asking on Z club.net about the issue.

This is a Z32 forum with very few Z31 owners on it.

The Z31 does not share much in common with the Z32.

You might be better asking on Z club.net about the issue.

This is a Z32 forum with very few Z31 owners on it.

The Z31 does not share much in common with the Z32.

 

If and when the issue is Z31 specific, I’d ask somewhere else. I know the Z32 owners outweigh the 31 on here but I have received helpful responses from most posts about it.

 

Cheers