2G Loose/ snapped front driveshaft

[raptoranderson]

I just finished installing new coilovers, a new sway bar, a big brake kit and replacing my tie rods, sway bar bushings and upper control arm and took the car out for a very slow and very short test drive to check for any loose fittings or bolts/ nuts.

Every time I’d turn the wheel whilst moving a light clunk/ pop came from the driver’s side but no noise was heard when sitting still and turning the wheel. When I took the car back to my house and jacked it up, I saw that the front driveshaft on the driver’s side had a very mangled and scrunched-up rubber boot. I can also wiggle the driveshaft about a half inch in every direction (not forward and backward) on the side nearest the wheel hub, but the side nearest the transmission is very firmly in place.

Is the alignment so off that the driveshaft popped out? I don’t think this is even possible and I made sure I kept the alignment as close as possible so that I could limp the car to the shop to get it realigned. What should I be doing to diagnose this issue?

 

[pauleyman]

I assume this is awd. You probably broke the intermediate bearing or it's mount. Jack the car up and look.

 

[raptoranderson]

It is AWD, sorry I didn’t include that info I have the car jacked up and the driveshaft seems to be in the hub still but the rest of the shaft moves freely near the wheel hub. Will I just have to replace the whole driveshaft?

 

[pauleyman]

Look at it. There is an Intermediate bearing. My bet is the bolts are broken.

 

[doubleclutch]

He's talking about the two bolts shown in the bracket below:

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Under the middle of the car, slightly towards the drivers side.

@pauleyman how do these get broken?

 

[pauleyman]

He's talking about the two bolts shown in the bracket below:

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Under the middle of the car, slightly towards the drivers side.

@pauleyman how do these get broken?

Not 100 percent sure but I do know the factory bolts are specialized and they are the only ones I know like it on the car. There are tons of posts about breaking them and from what I've read it's frequently not the factory bolts.