Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - Slimey

My P-reg Fiesta Mk4 1.3 has total loss of drive. I've taken the RH (Drivers side) driveshaft out, and found that where the driveshaft goes into the gearbox, there's no sign of the splines on the gearbox side...

fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t...d

I've already purchased a replacement driveshaft, but clearly that's not the issue...

Is this a fixed part of the gearbox, or can it be replaced independently? Looking at replacement gearboxes on ebay, they don't seem to have this part, which sticks out from the gearbox housing. The new driveshaft doesn't come with one - and in fact appears to be longer than the old driveshaft, as if it goe directly into the gearbox without this extra bit. I can't find this bit on its own.

The Haynes manual does show a photo of this bit that sticks out, but make little reference to it.

Am I making any sense? Any ideas where I should go next?

Thanks, Simon

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - csgmart

I'm no expert but from the photo it looks like the end of the driveshaft is still in the gear box - what we can see in the photo (if I'm correct) is presumably one end of the driveshaft.

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - elekie&a/c doctor

This looks like the inner cv joint whch should have a tripod roller coupling like thiswww.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIESTA-ESCORT-1-4-1-6-1-8-16V-X...7

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - Slimey

This looks like the inner cv joint whch should have a tripod roller coupling like thiswww.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIESTA-ESCORT-1-4-1-6-1-8-16V-X...7

Is that not what goes on the LH side? Certainly there's a CV Joint flush against the gearbox on the LH side. On the RH side, the CV Joint is mid way along the shaft.

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - Slimey

Here's the old driveshaft (left) and the replacement driveshaft (right)

dilbert.slimey.org/fr_271.jpg

I'm obviously concerned that they're different lengths, although I've checked that it is listed as the right one for the Mk4 Fiesta.

Here's the picture from the Haynes manual, which shows the bit I'm talking about:

dilbert.slimey.org/fr_273.jpg

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - dadbif
As previously mentioned, I reckon you still have the inner end of the broken driveshaft fitted in the differential, take that out and things should be self explanatory.
Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - madf
As previously mentioned, I reckon you still have the inner end of the broken driveshaft fitted in the differential, take that out and things should be self explanatory.

Agree.

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - The Rookie

Hi,

What you have is a the driveshaft has broken off at the inner bell housing. What you will find is the driveshaft you have taken out is just shaft (stump) at the one end.

What you will need to do is get a big pair of stilson grips and a lever bar and pull like b*****y. Once that's out, you can fit the new driveshaft.

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - Slimey

Well, I got it out in the end (knocked it through from the other side, once I'd finally got the nearside driveshaft out). Here's a pic of the offending item:

dilbert.slimey.org/fr_287_size880.jpg

It's not snapped off the driveshaft - the end of the driveshaft has splines which fits into this (and this has splines which go into the diff).

As I said previously, I did buy a replacement driveshaft, which doesn't seem to need this part, but unfortunately the holes on the intermediate bearing don't line up with the bolts on the engine mounting. I therefore speculate that there's two variants of driveshaft for the mk4 fiesta, and I've got the uncommon one :(

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - mfarrow

The part you pulled out yesterday is listed in parts catalogue as a stub axle, separate to the drive shaft. It looks like the teeth have stripped in this, which is strange as the drive shaft splines appears intact.

Either buy a new stub axle (breakers will be cheaper) or find a shaft that fits directly into the gearbox.

www.allcarpartsfast.co.uk/ford/6082040-shaft-outer.../

Edited by mfarrow on 02/11/2014 at 09:04

Ford Fiesta - RH Driveshaft into Gearbox issue - mss1tw

Can I just say, genuine respect for getting the tools out and ripping the guts out of a nearly 20 year old hatchback. (That looks sarcastic, but isn't.)

Most people would have junked it!

what's the bodywork like? ;)