Tailshaft replacement - one headache after another

[Thekayyceeful]

Ok so for a roady i have the replace the centre bearing on my VX v6 auto wagon.
I was told that the auto tailshaft it just one piece and cant be seperated so ill have to replace the whole thing. - but i keep getting told i should just change the centre bearing and that its easy but everytime i try to find info on it its either only about manual or v8 or it doesnt specify weather its auto or manual, or v6 or v8
So i went on a hunt for a tail shaft in my price range with most wreakers not having one that wasnt brand new and then the one i was going to buy had the same problem - centre bearing stuffed.
The only other wreaker i would have to spend all day checking out tailshafts to see if its ok - to do that i would need my step dad to have a day off work -.-
And then i finally got a tailshaft with what looks like a decent cente bearing and go to get it put in and im told that the one i brought is 4 bolt when my cars a 3 bolt - did i get lied to? The guy said it was vx wagon or do some vxs have 4 bolts?
And its the last thing on my list to be done and i wanted it in next week and im just compleatly frustrated - im a student with not alot of money so i cant exactly affort a $400 tailshaft. >. <

 

[TI3VOM]

This is one of my biggest ####ing pet hates, it spelled Wrecker. Now that that's out of the way.

Have you got in touch with businesses that deal with tailshafts? Make a few phone calls and get the answer your looking for (don't just call one place and take their word for it).

It sounds like it would have been easier to just let a shop get you a tailshaft and then install it, that way if it failed it should have warranty (always ask this before dealing with the shop).

 

[Immortality]

Your best bet it to stick you head under the car and confirm exactly which drive shaft you have.

VT to VX was the change over to the new rubber doughnut drive shaft coupling I believe, and it's not uncommon to find older style parts on newer models. My missus VX series 2 has the earlier style rear diff mount bush even though every parts manual says it has the newer style!

 

[Thekayyceeful]

Sticking my head under the car would be a great idea provided i actually knew what i was looking for... but unfortently im a 20 yo female who only knows what ive been told about cars - and ironically that means people will give the wrong infomation to make a few bucks off me -.- hence why i come here - seeing as you guys arent making money off this youll possible be a bit more honest.
So if anyone can tell me outright in very simple terms how i can differ between tailshafts that would be great.
Also going to a shop is a bit hard living an a rural area meaning i dont have specialist in my town other then maybe tire and brake, so a decent workshop could be a fare distance away - further then im willing to drive in an un registered car and on top of that them being one of the only places that do what im asking prices are a bit outrages.

 

[Immortality]

No problem

The newer 3 bolt type looks like this

And this goes between the tail shaft and the diff

The older style 4 bolt tailshaft looks like this

The 4 bolt flange bolts directly to the diff.

This is a picture of em side by side

 

[Thekayyceeful]

Thankyou

 

[WHCapriceHBD]

Centre bearing can be changed- the tailshaft CAN be separated and the centre bearing can be pressed off and a new bearing pressed into your existing tailshaft setup for only about 60 to 80 bucks from memory (that was the price of the bearing itself when I last enquired here in Tasmania.)

So that's another low cost option to look at, rather than buy an entire tailshaft.

 

[Thekayyceeful]

Looking into it .
But i think i might have a feild day at the wreaker with my step dad to try and find a good tailshaft because they quoted me 80 if i find one and take it out meself (by myself i mean stepdad)
But called a few mechanics in surrounding town out of desperation, one of them want me to bring it in so they can look at it and another said im best of getting a good second hand tailshaft and putting it myself because the the centre bearing sometimes have to be sent off to fix and could end up costing 1000 - and im pretty sure he was telling me the truth (or his truth) because usally if they arent they will tell me that the only way and the cheapest option and im the only one who can do it.
Thankyou guys for your help. Its just uber frustating rn.

 

[Smitty]

Centre bearing can be changed- the tailshaft CAN be separated and the centre bearing can be pressed off and a new bearing pressed into your existing tailshaft setup for only about 60 to 80 bucks from memory (that was the price of the bearing itself when I last enquired here in Tasmania.)

So that's another low cost option to look at, rather than buy an entire tailshaft.

yes.. can be done but it will need a re-balance after that. $60-80 depending on who is doing it.

 

[Towcar]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7lDr0-Jx8Fc watch this video