Driveshaft mangled - advice needed
 

Took the V40 for a MOT. It needed a simple job doing to replace a split gator and two front ball joints.

Garage called back later on to say during the test drive, the drive shaft had got mangled up and they will have to source another - and this part needs to come from Sweden they said! It was their fault so they are going to pay for it they said.

So some monkey-wrench couldn't re-locate a drive shaft properly by the sound it and its broken on the shaft ending, but they're saying the gearbox coupling is still ok...

So question is, will this have damaged the drive shaft or gearbox mechanism irreparably? What else could be "mangled" as they've stated?

And, how will I be able to tell anyway?

Yours faithfully in despair.

Hard to understand how they could have mangled the driveshaft let alone anything else. That’s a good news story in my mind though as it sounds like they are giving you an OEM shaft which is NOT cheap. Very profitable MOt!

Well, I guess you're right. All they had to do was replaced ball joints and a gator. Somehow they've wacked it in there I presume and drive it up the road so it's broken.

Had a chat to my good friend Gatos and it surprised him too! Monkey wrench will be paying for part and the hire car all weekend I guess.

Going to see the extent of the damage to see if the gearbox is knackered too. No point them putting a new drive shaft in if they've mangled the gearbox too. Can see this being very costly to them if I find anything else tomorrow...

Awww!!!

Spoke to chief monkey today.

He said the driver's side driveshaft joint under the replacement gator was not located properly and mangled on the test drive.

He also said all the bearings came out somewhere and they've had to order the whole driveshaft because Volvo do not sell separate sections.

What concerns me now looking at all the other monkeys in the shop is they are not skilled enough to refit it! I am expecting further problems with ABS sensors, oil seal leaks and all sorts from this repair once they've replaced it...

So I am going to write the garage a "letter of intent" to ensure they understand they are liable for this damage they've caused AND will be for ANY subsequent problems occurring associated with this replacement part within the first 3 months of getting it back. This way the Garage has notice there will be legal proceedings pending IF there are further problems and they will have to fix these too FREE of charge too.

Cannot believe such an easy gator and ball joint replacement job has turned into a farce. It is a sign of the times I guess.

It is a sign of the times. Unfortunately however mistakes do happen and to be fair they sound as though they have been pretty above board so far! Not sure I would be too concerned if they are picking up the tab.

It got fixed and MOT'd - new driveshaft and a note on their invoice that any problems with the gearbox or oil seals will be fixed free of charge if they occur. Now that is a garage who is prepared to put their customers and reputation first to fix problems created. Pleased :)

Great news. That deserves commendation. I think you should name and praise. We're very quick to condemn a bad garage, but we should equally praise those who do their level best.