Half shafts, CV joints help required

[rog3k]

I’m hoping someone with experience can help me. I have a Pilgrim 3000 (2007 chassis) with transmission & suspension problems which MAY be connected.

The car has Sierra bits with Pilgrim-supplied wishbones & coilover spring suspension, rear drum brakes & push in half shafts (Tripode, not Lobro CV joints) .

Recently the n/s inner (next diff) CV joint came apart & drive was lost & I’m having great difficulty in sourcing a replacement joint (some of the innards are worn / damaged). Additionally, in the past, I’ve noticed that when the car is jacked up the rear half shafts can slide out of the diff indication that they may well be too short. Could these 2 problems be connected? And corrected without changing the diff & shortened half shafts to those suitable for Lobro CVs?

Regarding the suspension, it now also transpires that the (rear) springs are too weak because they are coil bound at almost any road height; I understand they are rated at 220lb (purple spot).

Any constructive advice would be very much appreciated.

[Mr2Mike]

Note that the lengths of the rear drive shafts are different on each side, and for the longer shaft a few different lengths are available. More information here.

Check the long and short shafts are correctly fitted to their respective sides and that you have one of each.

If the rear suspension uses standard 2.25 inch coil-over shocks (I don't know anything about the Pilgrim 3000) then a set of stronger springs would be easily and cheaply available from a number of companies (e.g. Rally design)

Edited by Mr2Mike on Friday 7th February 17:22

[gtmdriver]

CPS Drivelink could help you out I'm sure.

They can even fabricate new shafts if needed.

[rog3k]

Many thanks guys for your helpful advice.

Yes, Mike, I was aware they were two different lengths & I’m confident i have them the correct way round as both have a tendency to slide out of the diff when the car is jacked up.

I’ve also heard of Fostek who manufacture shafts, etc – John, do you have any preference for either company?

[simon3000]

hi roger i dont know how much the push in shafts differ from the lobro type but om mine there are circlips on the ends,are yours missing and allowing the shaft to slide too far.

[rog3k]

Hi Simon, I’m fairly sure the circlips were correctly in place – they are certainly intact; what ‘gave way’ was the metal sleeve/’can’ around the tripode cv joint with indents further along it than they should have been

[Mr2Mike]

Does the Pilgrim use the entire rear axle assembly from the Sierra?

[rog3k]

Hi Mike, No - it only uses the Sierra drive shafts with CV joints, the diff & the hubs; Pilgrim supply shortened drive shafts - may be too short in my case

[one eyed mick]

If the shafts pull out when the car is jacked up they are not correct length ,if the wishbones are longer than the sierra swinging arms they need to be longer, this could cause a very nasty situation over a hump back or sudden crest talk to the manufacturers for your own saftey

[PaulKemp]

And there is the problem
Driveshafts to short would explain the CV coming apart when suspension is at full compression or maximum lift
Check your problem shaft against a standard one it may be closer than you think

[rog3k]

Yes, that IS the problem! They're each approximately 20mm too short.

I've been searching for a company to make some shafts for me to meet the required lengths & thought I'd found one but I appear to have been let down because I've had no reply to various phone calls & emails over last 2 weeks or more. Does anyone here know where I can get some Sierra shafts to required lengths made up PLEASE???

[gtmdriver]

Did you try CPS/Drivelink?

[Mr2Mike]

Geoff Berrisford can make custom length driveshafts (i.e. properly made from scratch, not a nasty welded driveshaft).

[one eyed mick]

Surely the kit manufacturer is the one to approach ,if he supplied them they are wrong and its his baby

[rog3k]

one eyed mick said:

Surely the kit manufacturer is the one to approach ,if he supplied them they are wrong and its his baby

Yes, Mike, of course you are correct; BUT (always a 'but') Pilgrim was liquidated after I bought the kit &, although now 'open for business' again I don't think Den T will be willing to help out from a previous a company's owner's "mistake".

[Mr2Mike]

rog3k said:

Yes, Mike, of course you are correct; BUT (always a 'but') Pilgrim was liquidated after I bought the kit &, although now 'open for business' again I don't think Den T will be willing to help out from a previous a company's owner's "mistake".

Especially not whilst inside at her majesties pleasure...

[Auntieroll]

I would give Pilgrim a call, even though Den ,(who incidentally I always found very helpful) is presently "otherwise occupied". It is in their interest to help people with problems ,let's face it many kits are never completed by their initial purchasers, the manufacturers have no legal obligation but a civil approach should yield a satisfactory result.

Failing that, I have used Bailey Morris on a number of occasions, good quality and service. (Usual disclaimers )

[pfedwards]

As Mr2Mike pointed out, Ford made half shafts in a variety of different lengths and spline types.

You could try these folks who seem to supply a variety of different types. If your Pilgrim chassis and suspension are 'as supplied' then you would think that one of Fords standard lengths would fit ok?

http://www.jandrcvjoints.co.uk/search.php?search_q...

[PaulKemp]

Are Granada shafts longer?
With Sierra Lobro you could make up spacers for either end where Lobro bolts to Diff & hub stubs

[rog3k]

pfedwards said:

As Mr2Mike pointed out, Ford made half shafts in a variety of different lengths and spline types.

You could try these folks who seem to supply a variety of different types. If your Pilgrim chassis and suspension are 'as supplied' then you would think that one of Fords standard lengths would fit ok?

The chassis & suspension is as supplied but the shafts supplied by Pilgrim were 'shortened' Sierra ones as the 3000 is narrower than a Sierra & I had to fit the CV joints, etc. to them.

Paul - the CVs are Tripode (push in to diff) not lobro.