GTEE3

I have an '08 CS w/ 60k mi, and I had a Porsche tech tell me "the center support for the rear cardan shaft is cracking"
I did a search on this forum, and I would appreciate an update on people's replacement/fix solutions.
The Pdealer is quoting $1700 for replacement.
I talked to the Vertex people about their Clamping support product, too.

I would appreciate any experiences...
TIA,
P

wrinkledpants

Colorado Driveshaft. 350 for a rebuilt unit. Done. Lots of people running around with this shaft and no issues. It's what I'll be doing for my next cardan shaft.

GTEE3

^
thanks wrinkledpants,
is the Colorado unit a plug and play deal? in other words can an indy mechanic do the job or are there balancing tools, etc required?
and does Colorado have all the install/replacement ancillary parts?

I just talked to the Pdealer tech, and he said Vertex clamping support does not mesh well w/ trans/diff, and "I will notice vibration at highway speeds"...fwiw.
appreciate the help!!!!

wrinkledpants

It comes balanced. I think you need to get a new disc, but that's whether you buy a new one or not. It's a rebuilt factory shaft, so plug and play. Any Indy can do it.

Shawn Stanford

You can do a cardan shaft yourself in your driveway with hand tools. Super, super easy. The hardest part is breaking it free from the rear diff, because it tends to rust.

There are several excellent write ups in the forums. Just do a search for 'cardan shaft'.

And, FWIW: I'm going to do the 'jimmy fix' if my cardan shaft wears out again. I'll take a $20 15 minute fix over a $350 one-hour fix any day!

GTEE3

^
"jimmy fix"??

RajDatta

I put one of these. Easy DIY. Save $1k over dealer estimate. Brand new unit.

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe...8cUAwpAHA.aspx

endless_corners

I went with a vertex rebuilt unit

Wisconsin Joe

Well, to be correct (and just a little bit pedantic) it's the "Jimi Fix"

The rubber support around the bearing is what fails. If you catch it soon enough, the bearing is fine.

The dealer wants to replace the whole thing (that's why it's $1500 or more). Some of the other "fix kits" replace the bearing (which has to be balanced properly). Others just replace the support.

Someone on here had a new shaft on order, but had the support fail before it arrived and needed the car. He went to his wrench, the now-famous "Jimi", who came up with a rather ingenious temporary fix. Which has lasted a long, long time.

Thread:

https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-...dan-shaft.html

timwu12

I have the Vertex clamp, and no noticeable vibration

Shawn Stanford

I can never remember how to spell 'Jimi'.

driveline

I bought my shaft from Pelican (no affiliation). New GKN unit with front rag joint and center support for $538 IIRC. I had to drop the exhaust a little to get it out. Just did it yesterday. I still have the core if someone is in need.

Needed 2 18mm open end wrenches.
Triple square for the rear
13mm for the carrier and exhaust. I did not have to disconnect the exhaust just drop it about 6-8" from the rear.
18 mm socket for the carrier support.

knfeparty

Mine knocks the transmission tunnel when accelerating while pulling a trailer- however I got under the car and it was not centered. Since the Porsche special centering tool doesn't fit the vertex product (I don't have the tool anyways), I used feeler gauges and got about 30 thousandths clearance on both sides then locked it down. We'll see how it goes next time I have the trailer hooked up.

Regular driving, no vibration to report, even under hard acceleration.

Villian

It's worth noting that if you're replacing the cardan shaft bearing/center support (Which you stated you were told was bad), that you usually have to replace the actual driveshaft as well (Which I think others have kinda said in this thread). So you have to replace two things.

OR

You can go the modern route. Ditch the 2 piece driveshaft and center support bearing, install an aftermarket one piece shaft, and be done with it...forever and ever and ever.

http://www.driveshaftshop.com/import...-all-v8-models

Plus the installation is easier, it's stronger than the OEM setup, you do a weight reduction, and you never have to do any special aligning or anything in the future.

Shawn Stanford

I think that's exactly not what everyone is saying. If you use the Jimi Fix or the Vertex unit, you don't replace the shaft, just the bearing support. As far as I can recall in the years I've been following this forum, nobody has ever had the drive shaft itself wear out. People have said that if you drive too long with a bad bearing support you can wear out the bearings in the u-joint, but I don't remember that actually happening to anyone.