C5 X7 auto driveshaft

[adrianruk]

Hi. My first request on this forum. I have a 2010 C5 Tourer Exclusive 160 Auto. The right hand CV joint gaiter has split. I want to replace either the CV joint or the driveshaft complete. Research shows a variety of parts for these models. I believe Citroen only supply the shaft complete at the usual expensive price. I'm always happy to use decent pattern parts. The genuine correct Citroen part number would help my search. Can anyone offer help or advice? TIA.
VIN: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff].

[411514]

Seems a bit excessive to replace either the cv joint or the driveshaft if it is only the boot that is at fault.

I would suggest just changing the boot, and for ease and convenience using an aftermarket universal 'stretch' boot. I'm not usually into cutting-corners and bodges, but a stretch boot saves so much time and is perfectly adequate (in my experience they seem to last just as long as the original non-stretch boots). Aside from anything, you can replace with a stretch booth with the driveshaft still on the vehicle, which avoids losing gearbox oil and so saves £20/£30 on gearbox oil.

J&R CV Joints on ebay seem the best place to buy a replacement boot from - they are semi-universal and quite well indexed to model/manufacturer name. I seem to remember that a boot kit including all clips/grease and additionally a cone is not much more than £10 delivered.

If using a stretch boot you can usually get away with just releasing the outer end of the driveshaft from the hub, pushing the hub out of the way, and then putting the cone against the outer CV joint and pushing against the joint. Can usually be done in no more than an hour even for an amateur out on the drive.

[GiveMeABreak]

Here's the parts diagram for the X7 163.

(1) Is the left driveshaft and the OEM Part is: 3272SZ £541.81
or an exchange is part: 3272TA £473.48

(2) Is the right driveshaft, OEM is part: 3273TP £622.80
Exchange is part: 3273TQ £589.56

(3) is the Wheel side Gaiter Kit, Part: 3293C8 £55.26
(4) is the Axle side gaiter kit, Part: 3287C9 £35.96

All inc. VAT

[RichardW]

We had a long discussion about X7 shafts a while back - there are 2 makers - and one of them the outer joint is not separable, so to change the boot the shaft has to be dismantled and the boot fitted from the inner end. In which case a stretch boot would be preferable! If the CV will come off, then the RH has the centre bearing so can 'easily' be done on the car - in any case there's a possibility that the shafts are 'dry' on the auto, and the oil won't make a bid for freedom in any case if the shaft it pulled. Getting the shafts out of X7 is much harder than it ought to be mind, given the layout of the front suspension!

[RichardW]

Discussion about the different types of shaft viewtopic.php?t=61695

Discussion about removing the shaft (assuming you've got an AM6 box - even if not, most will be applicable): viewtopic.php?p=602923

[adrianruk]

Many thanks for all your helpful replies. I have only recently acquired the car & the gaiter has only just split. It has only covered 66k so I would not expect the cv joint to have worn out yet. My last C5 had covered 186k when I sold it with no drive shaft problems but it was only 7 years old. I have replaced many CV gaiters over the years on various cars but in my advancing years i find it a little more like hard work so I pay for more work than I used to. However if the job of fitting a universal one is as easy as 411514 says then I'll go down that route first I think. I've ordered the gaiter kit which totalled £5.98 including postage! I'll keep you posted. Thanks again everyone!
Adrian

[411514]

I've ordered the gaiter kit which totalled £5.98 including postage! I'll keep you posted. Thanks again everyone!
Adrian

Did that include the fitting cone? Usually that isn't included in the gaiter kit, you buy it separately, but of course you only need to buy it the once and then you have it in the fitted. Usually the cone is about a fiver from memory.

There's a little bit of technique with using the cone, but once you have the technique it is easy.

(1) Free outer end of driveshaft from hub as noted above;

(2) Abut open end of cone against outer side of outer CV joint

(3) Turn CV boot inside out (this is important as if you slide boot open end first on not inside out then it will be facing the wrong direction for outer CV joint)

(4) Lubricate cone very thoroughly - I've found best lube is oil (olive oil washes off easily afterwards)

(5) Slide (inside out) boot up cone large diameter end first, and over CV joint (a little bit easier said than done - trick seems to be good lubrication of cone and making sure that your hands and the outside of the boot are free of lube for a good grip. I've found that your first shot is your best shot when doing this - after the first shot you tend to get cone lube on your hands and the outside of the boot and you have no chance.

(6) Turn boot right way when on driveshaft and clean outer of boot to remove the cone lubricant

(7) Lube joint and clip boot etc

Given relatively low cost of boot kit might be worth buying two just in case you cock up the first one somehow. If you don't cock up first shot - bonus you have a boot in stock for next time you need one.

[adrianruk]

Thanks Sam for the supplementary information & instructions. Didn't think of ordering 2 unfortunately. Just contacted J&R & they had already sent my order which btw includes the cone. Can't see how they can do it for that price. I have fitted gaiters before using cones but that was in the old days when materials were not as flexible as (I hope) they are now. Haven't done gaiters for over 20 years since I switched to Mercedes. Most of the ones I used to do were Subaru or Citroen. I'll post the results in due course.
Adrian

[411514]

[/quote]

Can't see how they can do it for that price.

It is cheap, but J&R stuff generally seems fairly decent quality, I have had quite a few boot kits, CV joints and whole driveshafts before, and never any reason to complain. Bit off topic but still relevant to the topic, avoid Shaftec drive shafts likes the plague.

[adrianruk]

Update! Thanks to all for your help & advise, especially Sam. It's all sorted. My universal gaiter kit arrived first thind, complete with 2 sachets of grease & a very substantial cone, all for £5.98 including 1st class post.
Set to work, jacked up car, removed wheel, removed hub nut & track rod end. Then I actually looked at the cv joint. That's when I realised that the gaiter was in fact in good condition but displaced. The metal clip retaining the gaiter on the outside had snapped! So I just had to clean up the mess lubricate the joint with one sachet of grease & refit the gaiter with the new clip & reassemble the lot. The only problem was that I managed to break the wheelnut locking key! Not too great a problem as I still have a set of bolts & the tool from my Mk 1 which I sold over 10 years ago! I shall be fitting hexagon bolts to this one too.
So it's all sorted & your advice has saved me loads of money & hassle. Thanks again!
Just got to sort out the water in the headlamp now!

Adrian