2004 Monaro VXR half shafts/drive shafts

[FizzysCar]

Hi All,

Got what seem the usual clunking issues on the rear of my 2004 monaro VXR. Already changed diff oil with some royal purple plus some additional friction modifier. Had the centre support bearing replaced on the propshaft not too long ago as rubber had gone.

Car was very quiet originally, so suspect wear at tear item somewhere. Checked drive shafts/half shafts and found that one (near side) has some lateral play, and the other doesn't. Thought this may be causing some of the clunking and looking into replacements.

Doesn't seem to be any other play in CV joints, so starting to suspect this is normal. Have been reading up on the year differences and have read that the 04 cars had narrower drive shafts and less movement in the CV joint at one end of the drive shafts compared to later cars? The LS1 forum mentions Yellow tags and blue tags on the drive shafts to identify the type. Checked mine and labels appear to be white? Seems to have a different code that others mention too - "AC0904", with SA in big letters.

Were the shafts uprated for VXR/UK cars?

Got a pair of pedders shafts coming from monkfish tomorrow, bought a bit in haste. How do these compare to '04 VXR shafts? Any tips on proper checks? Might need to check on return options..

Finding a lot of things tend to be unique on the '04 VXR model, making things "interesting" for diy work.

[vxr2010]

I don't think the shafts would be updated , mine are a bit worn but I'm getting no noise , I'm sure they will need to be done at some point , depending on the mileage of yours it's probably worth doing them any way , the pedders ones are an upgrade on standard , what did you pay for them I assume you got a set , the cars are known for a bit of clunk even when every thing is fine , I don't know if that's a help for you , I heard the steering rack was changed for the uk , but that does not make sense , the rack is not good on a cv8 but why would it be changed I don't know ?

[monkfish1]

Are you running poly subframe bushes.

[FizzysCar]

monkfish1 said:

Are you running poly subframe bushes.

I have the pedders diff support poly insert installed (did that a good few months ago). Also have the main big sub frame bushes too but haven't fitted those yet, since looks like getting the bolts out is going to be a pig of a job. Other than that, all bushes are stock on the rear.

Have fitted the response pack on the front.

[FizzysCar]

vxr2010 said:

I don't think the shafts would be updated , mine are a bit worn but I'm getting no noise , I'm sure they will need to be done at some point , depending on the mileage of yours it's probably worth doing them any way , the pedders ones are an upgrade on standard , what did you pay for them I assume you got a set , the cars are known for a bit of clunk even when every thing is fine , I don't know if that's a help for you , I heard the steering rack was changed for the uk , but that does not make sense , the rack is not good on a cv8 but why would it be changed I don't know ?

Car is actually quite low mileage - coming up to 50k. I also get a scrapping/groaning/metallic like sound sometimes when turning tight lefts at low speed. Doesn't do it all the time though - being trying to determine under what conditions it does it and if it has ever done it when turning right too.

Get the whoosh-whoosh like noise from the brakes first thing as well until I scrub them off a bit. Using uprated pads though. Something else to strip down and check over, and probably handbrake mechanism too since read there could be a rubbing issue there as well. Changed the disks and pads all round about a year ago.

[monkfish1]

FizzysCar said:

I also get a scrapping/groaning/metallic like sound sometimes when turning tight lefts at low speed. Doesn't do it all the time though - being trying to determine under what conditions it does it and if it has ever done it when turning right too.

Thats the LSD. Normally they clonk, but sometimes make the noises you state. That will cause wind up in the shafts which will in turn make noises as they fight each other.

[FizzysCar]

monkfish1 said:

Thats the LSD. Normally they clonk, but sometimes make the noises you state. That will cause wind up in the shafts which will in turn make noises as they fight each other.

Thanks - was just concerned that it's only relatively recently started making such noises, and I've had the car 4+ years now (edit - getting on for 5).

Sounds like the shafts aren't needed then - so will look into returning.

Edited by FizzysCar on Friday 17th June 13:23

[MedwayMonaro]

My previous black 04 VXR had clunky drivetrain, this was cured with new driveshafts. I haven't found parts availability too bad overall, although the bumpers and interior would be most difficult to source.

[FizzysCar]

MedwayMonaro said:

My previous black 04 VXR had clunky drivetrain, this was cured with new driveshafts. I haven't found parts availability too bad overall, although the bumpers and interior would be most difficult to source.

Thanks, although that confuses my decision to return them now. Can you recall how old it was and the mileage at the time you replaced them on yours?

Notice I do get often get quite a load clunking when I take the strain off the drivetrain when pushing the clutch in. Thought getting the centre support bearing replaced would cure that - and whilst it's smoothed things out a lot it still happens.

Think it's getting to that age where most bushes and supports need replacing.

[FizzysCar]

Well, replacement shafts arrived today and on examination they allow lateral movement on inner end, but nothing on outer end - so seems no movement when fitted is the norm. So will see about fitting the replacements and checking whether it improved things. If nothing else it's new drive shafts and cv's, with old spares if I need them later.

Got new bolts too - what torque is recommended for these? I know it's strongly advised to use loctite as well.

Edited by FizzysCar on Friday 17th June 17:39

[monkfish1]

You will also find that when new there was a lot of preload on the diff bearings which makes them less slack. The is lost over time, so again, just another bit of noise. Dont forget, unlike most cars, the diff is bolted direct to the subframe, not rubber mounted, so some noise transmission is inevitable.

[MedwayMonaro]

FizzysCar said:

MedwayMonaro said:

My previous black 04 VXR had clunky drivetrain, this was cured with new driveshafts. I haven't found parts availability too bad overall, although the bumpers and interior would be most difficult to source.

Thanks, although that confuses my decision to return them now. Can you recall how old it was and the mileage at the time you replaced them on yours?

Notice I do get often get quite a load clunking when I take the strain off the drivetrain when pushing the clutch in. Thought getting the centre support bearing replaced would cure that - and whilst it's smoothed things out a lot it still happens.

Think it's getting to that age where most bushes and supports need replacing.

The whole transmission on these cars is noisy and bit unrefined, so some noise may be noticeable, however I'd be inclined to fit the new ones if you've seen play in the old ones. Can't help with the torque settings though, sorry.

[vxr2010]

I did mine to ft (f.....g tight ) and they were fine , I was limited by strength and length of the Allan key from memory , rather than any thing else , I did not lock tight but sounds like a good idea , I did not have any issues

[2woody]

I changed the driveshafts on mine a few weeks ago - it made a huge difference.

I was getting vibration mainly, but with the diff-like knockings and bangings at slow speed.

Having examined the joints for play several times, I was really surprised when I changed them for a spare set - they have a very, very small amount of play in the joints - much less than experience has told me makes any kind of noise at all.

Still, its like a different beast now.

..... btw - the joints themselves look very "standard", something that you'd be able to spec up from the Lobro catalogue

[fred bloggs]

FizzysCar said:

I have the pedders diff support poly insert installed (did that a good few months ago). Also have the main big sub frame bushes too but haven't fitted those yet, since looks like getting the bolts out is going to be a pig of a job. Other than that, all bushes are stock on the rear.

Have fitted the response pack on the front.

Heat the bolts with oxy acetaltyne. Thisll melt the locktight and theyll come out. And the new ones come with locktight on them allready.

Edited by fred bloggs on Tuesday 21st June 20:03

[FizzysCar]

Thanks for the tips.

New bolts don't have loctite preapplied (or the pack I got off MF haven't), but bought a blue stick anyway.

[FizzysCar]

As an update - fitted the new driveshafts a few days ago. Old bolts were fairly easy to get out. Went and broke a support bolt on the exhaust trying to make a bit of space though.

Had the car up on ramps, and when refitting the first new shaft, found the holes didn't line up on the hub end. O Couldn't move the drive shaft at all even though out of gear - thanks diff/lsd, lol. Thankfully things freed up when I undid the other drive shaft and when both fitted they just lined up. Few! Thought for a minute I was going to have to see about jacking the car up off the ramps to turn the wheel... tightened up the bolts good f.. tight with a medium ratchet so should be fine, but will check them periodically to be sure.

There was noticeable play and noise when checking the hub end on the old shafts when removed, so both did need doing.

A lot less clunks now, and things seems smoother. Still a couple of quieter knocks but that's probably slack in the diff. Still get the noise on slow left turns, but only when things have warmed up. Was doing circles in the car park when I finished work and nothing.... yet left turn into my estate after trip back and it did it again.

Brakes squealing/chirping a bit even when not braking - again after things have warmed up a bit. Next job, strip down and cleanup pads and make sure plenty of copper grease.