Cheap driveshafts any good?

[jansu83]

There are a lot of cheap driveshafts available for TC at ebay. Have you got any experience from J&R, GSP or other cheap brands? How long do they last? How about http://www.tpuk.net, they are also selling some cheap ones, are they any good? I would like to have one that last at least 80 000 miles so I shouldn't have to renew them every second year.

A better known brand (better quality?) SKF is available for about € 250 (£ 180) and original was about € 350 (£ 250) at my local Ford dealer. Are these much better than the cheap ones? I have 140k on the clock and original (right side / longer one) is now kaput. I don't know has it ever been replaced.

[gt_addict]

I've got a set of J&R driveshafts and have had a wobble through the steering under hard acceleration. Other people have used them with no problems. It doesn't affect regular driving just when I boot it.

But it saved me a lot of money compared to fords prices. Unfortunately they didn't do SKF ones when I bought mine, a mechanic mate warned me away from the "QR" branded ones so this was my only option. Just remember that you get what you pay for. Personally I would take a chance on SKF ones because they make wheel bearings and they are the only bearings I use on my van. Last as long as originals and cheaper as well (although not the cheapest compared to others).

[tez]

don't rate cheap parts at all you are paying 2 if all goes tits up pulling more out for the right part I only ever use ford parts mks life easy

[jansu83]

I've got a set of J&R driveshafts and have had a wobble through the steering under hard acceleration.

mechanic mate warned me away from the "QR" branded ones

Maybe I'll try an SKF as I know it is a very well known brand on bearings and it's cheaper than original.

Funny how Ford has problems with driveshafts on Focus, Connect, Mondeo etc. My original are glued from inner joint boot so there should be all the grease still inside, but they just seem to fail anyway. I've had many Toyota Carina E's between 200,000 and 300,000 and never had to renew any other than outer boots or joints for their driveshafts. Inner joints have always been good. My present one is 1.6 litre 4A-FE petrol and has 512,000km ( ~320,000 miles) on clock and it is one of the best cars I have owned.

My Ford Connect is definetly bigger and better to drive, but it needs much more maintenance.

[gt_addict]

It's a shame ford have swapped priorities over the past couple of decades. The bodywork lasts well but the mechanical aspect of the vehicle is pretty crap. Bring back the days of the older cars that just needed servicing.

[jansu83]

Found an SKF for £133 total including shiping (€185) so I ordered it. Let's see how it goes with that.

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/drive-s ... !5940.html

Looks like I took the last one, because now it is out of stock. They were at stock one hour ago. I have ordered from Mister Auto once before and I had my parts quickly last time.

[karl]

ive used j&r many times and never had problems

[paul2012]

Found an SKF for £133 total including shiping (€185) so I ordered it. Let's see how it goes with that.

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/drive-s ... !5940.html

Looks like I took the last one, because now it is out of stock. They were at stock one hour ago. I have ordered from Mister Auto once before and I had my parts quickly last time.

These will be fine

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-TRANSIT- ... 1e63cae239

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-TRANSIT- ... 27bcf8b472

[paul2012]

ive used j&r many times and never had problems

Same here, I've never had problems with J&R driveshafts

[connect4kev]

It's a shame ford have swapped priorities over the past couple of decades. The bodywork lasts well but the mechanical aspect of the vehicle is pretty crap. Bring back the days of the older cars that just needed servicing.

totally agree mate older fords were gr8 ,sadly nowadays that aint so

[jansu83]

Found an SKF for £133 total including shiping (€185) so I ordered it. Let's see how it goes with that.

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/drive-s ... !5940.html

Looks like I took the last one, because now it is out of stock. They were at stock one hour ago. I have ordered from Mister Auto once before and I had my parts quickly last time.

They were out of stock and the seller returned my payment so I have to look for something else. I'll try J&R next. Thanks everyone.

[karl]

ive used j&r many times and never had problems

Same here, I've never had problems with J&R driveshafts

2 year warranted! eurocarparts don't even do this and gt don't either (general traffic) they charge for exchange even thow i have an account with them

[jansu83]

Found an SKF for £133 total including shiping (€185) so I ordered it. Let's see how it goes with that.

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/drive-s ... !5940.html

Looks like I took the last one, because now it is out of stock. They were at stock one hour ago. I have ordered from Mister Auto once before and I had my parts quickly last time.

These will be fine

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-TRANSIT- ... 1e63cae239

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-TRANSIT- ... 27bcf8b472

Is it like in the picture that near/side is the shorter one (passanger side in UK), and off/side is the longer one with support bearing (driver side in UK)?

[gt_addict]

Yep long side is drivers side. Short side is passenger side.

[paul2012]

Yep long side is drivers side. Short side is passenger side.

For Finland (LHD) Longest shaft with bearing would be Passenger side & Short shaft drivers side