Hi all,
New to the forum and seeking some help if possible. Driving home yesterday and managed to snap the driveshaft when joining a roundabout, lost all gearbox oil and drive. The car is a 2006 c3 1.1l petrol and I'm looking for the correct part, oil and anything else I may need to fix it. I'm surprised it failed in this way so could there be anything else that has caused catastrophic failure?
Thanks,
Joe
Snapped drive shaft - advice?
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Stickyfinger
- (Donor 2016)
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Re: Snapped drive shaft - advice?
Metal Fatigue or .................it is never the drivers fault 
I did one in a SAAB 900Turbo many moons ago, I never knew why......not a common problem these days and endless reason of why.
I did one in a SAAB 900Turbo many moons ago, I never knew why......not a common problem these days and endless reason of why.
Last edited by Stickyfinger on 08 Apr 2025, 08:26, edited 1 time in total.
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Dodger
Activa, the Moose Dodger
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CitroJim
- A very naughty boy
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Re: Snapped drive shaft - advice?
Hi Joe and welcome to the forum
Oh gosh!
What precisely broke on the driveshaft? Was it the shaft itself or one or other of the CV joints? Definitely worth trying to establish what happened and any trauma in the past that may have led to it.
In addition to the new driveshaft, you'll need a new diff oil seal on that side and the correct amount of oil. These gearboxes are fussy about oil and the correct stuff must be used...
Pop your VIN number up (it'll be hidden except from all but forum staff) and we should then be able to advise the correct oil and quantity...
Oh gosh!
What precisely broke on the driveshaft? Was it the shaft itself or one or other of the CV joints? Definitely worth trying to establish what happened and any trauma in the past that may have led to it.
In addition to the new driveshaft, you'll need a new diff oil seal on that side and the correct amount of oil. These gearboxes are fussy about oil and the correct stuff must be used...
Pop your VIN number up (it'll be hidden except from all but forum staff) and we should then be able to advise the correct oil and quantity...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Jeags
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 08 Apr 2025, 07:45
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Re: Snapped drive shaft - advice?
Thanks for the quick replies! The shaft itself has sheared. I haven't had time to look at the gearbox end but I suppose it must've at least come loose as it dropped all the oil on failure. The car has only done 70k miles and is never driven in anger, I just use it for a commuter. I believe I need 2l of 75w-80 according to Opie oils but happy to be proven wrong. I'll provide the VIN once home tonight.
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Jeags
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 08 Apr 2025, 07:45
- x 1
Re: Snapped drive shaft - advice?
I think this is the VIN:
VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
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Jeags
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 08 Apr 2025, 07:45
- x 1
Re: Snapped drive shaft - advice?
A call to Citroen gives part number 3273HS for the driveshaft.
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CitroJim
- A very naughty boy
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- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
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Re: Snapped drive shaft - advice?
Yes, 2l of 75w/80 sounds correct 
Must have been either metal fatigue as Alasdair suggested or a hidden flaw in the shaft material.
Always a good plan to replace diff oil seals when swapping driveshafts. Also check around the area for damage from the inboard CV joint potentially flailing around...
Must have been either metal fatigue as Alasdair suggested or a hidden flaw in the shaft material.
Always a good plan to replace diff oil seals when swapping driveshafts. Also check around the area for damage from the inboard CV joint potentially flailing around...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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wurlycorner
- Donor 2024
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Re: Snapped drive shaft - advice?
That's quite incredible, a driveshaft snapping (on anything other than a seriously tuned or race car etc)!
If you're looking for a replacement shaft, I can recommend these guys - used them myself for a replacement shaft on my c5 after having crap experience sourcing through the usual (shafts that failed within short order). Very fast delivery and the shaft was good quality, still going strong!
https://www.jandrcvjoints.co.uk/
If you're looking for a replacement shaft, I can recommend these guys - used them myself for a replacement shaft on my c5 after having crap experience sourcing through the usual (shafts that failed within short order). Very fast delivery and the shaft was good quality, still going strong!
https://www.jandrcvjoints.co.uk/
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Iain
'85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (met. blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (met. silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (met. light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & met. green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
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Iain
'85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (met. blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (met. silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (met. light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & met. green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
'11 C5 X7 3.0 V6 Exclusive Tourer
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Jeags
- Posts: 5
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Re: Snapped drive shaft - advice?
Yes, I was amazed too, 60bhp (from factory) so must've been a bad flaw. I'm in contact with these guys now to source one. Thanks.