Driveshaft question

[KevR]

Hi all,
I've had problems with driveshafts over the years on my BXs - seems to be a marginal component. In fact I need to change a left side one this week. They come up every now and again on Ebay and I'm thinking of getting a few in stock for the future, but I'm not sure how much difference there is between different years/models. I always assumed all the later ones were the same as I've mixed and matched from petrol TRS to TZD and currently have at least one ABS-spec one in a non ABS car.
Can anyone confirm if there are any compatibility issues, and if so how to identify which one you're looking at (they're often just listed as BX rather than model-specific).

Thanks in advance.

[Tim Leech]

I think the GTi/16v and turbo diesel ones differed to other models, also make sure you buy an ABS one if your car has it, my 16v when I got it had a NON ABS shaft without an ABS bulb, new shaft, new bulb and all was well.

[KevR]

Thanks for that - I've not got ABS, so I can use ABS shafts in my TD no problem. I have a feeling that I also used the shafts from my old TRS16 in a TD as well, but I may be dreaming that.

[Tim Leech]

Thanks for that - I've not got ABS, so I can use ABS shafts in my TD no problem. I have a feeling that I also used the shafts from my old TRS16 in a TD as well, but I may be dreaming that.

They may fit, I think the TZD/GTi ones were "beefed" up over the standard ones to take the extra ooomphh though so may wear out quicker.

[KevR]

That would make sense – I suspect most of the ones I've had from the local breakers over the years have been from standard petrol/diesel ones, so maybe that's why they haven't lasted long!

[CaM]

1.4l (tu engined) cars have lighter specced driveshafts also. I've checked this within the last week as I was trying to use one on my 1.6ph1.

[Jaba]

As far as I know the only difference between the shafts of GTi and a 16 is that the diameter of the GTi is slightly larger. The 16's shaft looks more waisted.
I disregard this and just fit whatever shaft I can get hold of. The joints at each end are the same for all the models.
I must say though that I have never had one fail. My first BX did 300k miles on its original shafts.

[KevR]

Most of the problems I've had have been with not noticing split boots in time. As I do a lot of long trips, it doesn't take much to overheat the joint once the grease is gone.
I've also had trouble with pattern/aftermarket ones bought here in France, which just don't last - they're not even proper CV joints at the wheel end...

[CaM]

As far as I know the only difference between the shafts of GTi and a 16 is that the diameter of the GTi is slightly larger. The 16's shaft looks more waisted.
I disregard this and just fit whatever shaft I can get hold of. The joints at each end are the same for all the models.

the joint at the inner end is most certainly not the same on 1.4 models. the 1.4l rendezvous model I dismantled to fix my bx 16 had a completely different pot diameter on the inner section. I couldn't fit the 1.6 shafts into the 1.4 pots, or vice versa. plus they wouldn't fit the 1.6 gearbox.
if the 1.9 litre cars run a larger shaft again, (which should fit the side gears of the diff but perhaps not the hubs) I wouldn't be surprised.
this is super common on peugeots, and it pays to be weary of it to keep one's sanity when replacing parts.

[rayfenwick]

this is super common on peugeots, and it pays to be weary of it to keep one's sanity when replacing parts.

Surely it pays to be wary of it, to prevent one becoming weary of it?

(Sorry, once an English teacher... )