Hi,

A few weeks ago during the MOT test i had a split in the outer
gaiter on the left front driveshaft. Because the age of the car
and the so the driveshaft, I decided to renew the complete shaft.
But, after put a new Optimal shaft in, the diff started to leak.
Thought it was the seal leaking so mounted a new one.
Mmmm stil leaking, followed by a couple of not so decent words.
After this I discover the circlip between the shaft and the diff let go.
The shaft wat partly out of the diff, and that was why it was leaking.
Nothing wrong whit the seal. So put the shaft out and fitted it again
whit a new circlip.
But after a few miles, again the shaft was loose from the diff and a
Couple of mm’s out Again my wife learned a few new words.
After that I was thinking maybe I have the wrong shaft. So I stripped
the shaft again and lay it beside the old one..........you wont believe it,
the difference between the two, pulled out full, is about 50 mm!!!!
So I put the gaiters over from the new to the old one......and......
happy days, no problems anymore. Al good now, no leaks and the
shaft stays on his place.

After searching the www ..... I find

Optimal 619,5mm length thats the one I tried on
ERA. 640 mm length
Spidan. 677 mm length
GKN. 677 mm length

Official LR-OE IED500120 by GKN

So more than 50mm difference in length?? Thats a lot!

No wonder the Optimal wont fit. But stil Optimal says this is
the right shaft.

So be careful if you order a new shaft.

Regards Piet

Not sure as I only had boots changed, shafts I think are original. Will check length though to check. Thanks for response. 2009 Range Rover Vogue 3.6TDV8, Bournville, Parchment/Navy
2005 Jaguar XJ350 3.0 V6 Sovereign, Jaguar Racing Green, Ivory
1997 TVR Chimaera 450, Formula Red, Grey

Thanks Piet, nice write up 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue
2010 3.6 TDV8 Vogue
2003 3.0 Vogue - Gone
1998 4.6 HSE

Same thing happened to a mate of mine I think the new shaft fell out when he drove it home from the mechanics workshop.