Quartermaster Failed Driveshaft - Be Aware

[Rossh36]

Hello fellow Quartermaster Owners, happy Trails.
Just a heads up that the failing driveshaft issues of the IG Wagon has also transferred across onto my Australian QM. This may the first in the world?

My QM was delivered in May 2024 and was one of the first in Australia. I have the tub with an alloy frame and canvas canopy to keep weight low.
Short story, I've done 26,000km's (16,150 miles) this year 99% on the black top (highway).
In August I had an INEOS Dealer install a 35mm (1.3 inch) Eibach lift kit and I run the factory 17" steel wheels and KO2 tyres. Nothing over the top.
6 Dec 24 I heard and felt a bang under the passenger front wheel during a very basic 4WD training course on fire trails.
I was in High Range 4WD entering the last wheel rut of the day at about 5km/h. We had spent the afternoon crawling at low speeds learning to shift into L and H range. Nothing drastic for the Grenadier.
It was trucked off and I've been told the rear sway bar snapped and the front driveline has been damaged. INEOS Engineers are investigating apparently.

I'm waiting on my dealer to confirm if it's covered under warranty which is a sore point given there are 10 reported Driveshaft failures reported in this Owners Forum on wagons across the globe. Possibly more not yet reported on FB or this forum.

The driveshafts, cardan rings and CV boot's are problematic on the wagons and given the QM is newish in the market with a longer wheelbase and drive shafts please keep an eye on yours. If you're not sure go the posts labelled "Failed Driveshaft" in this forum.

Be very very cautious on getting any lift kits at this stage, as tempting it is. In Australia, INEOS Dealers are still promoting and selling lift kits which is a problem in its self as they now tell me that I may not have it repaired under warranty for having an 'aftermarket' Eibach Lift Kit installed (while in the other hand they are happy to take your $$$$$ for installing it.)

I'm sure Eibach will have something to say about that given Eibach springs come standard from factory and now Eibach are selling lift kits for the Grenadiers as well as hundreds of other off-road vehicles.
I'm sure in the legal world this is also a problem for INEOS if dealers are selling something that INEOS won't cover under warranty.

Enjoy your QM's. Be cautious on lift kits.

Merry Christmas a safe travels

Gday Swampy,

Have you had any luck with a solution - I’m about to take delivery and I’ve had a lift and gvm upgrade.

Then I found this thread.

Cheers,
Ross

 

[GN4HIR]

Do you believe that Ineos would consider the substitution of larger diameter tires to also be a “modification”?

I realize this is a late reply.. but.. when my driveshaft boot tore, the vehicle sat at my dealer for a week while they got approval from Ineos to repair under warranty. Ineos asked 2 questions, was the vehicle lifted and did it have oversized tires. I did have slightly larger tires but not 35"s It was covered under warranty.

 

[TCMColorado]

I realize this is a late reply.. but.. when my driveshaft boot tore, the vehicle sat at my dealer for a week while they got approval from Ineos to repair under warranty. Ineos asked 2 questions, was the vehicle lifted and did it have oversized tires. I did have slightly larger tires but not 35"s It was covered under warranty.

Curious what oversized tires have to do with a torn drive shaft boot. That is a BS excuse for them to potentially deny a warranty claim.

 

[Logsplitter]

Curious what oversized tires have to do with a torn drive shaft boot. That is a BS excuse for them to potentially deny a warranty claim.

Maybe there is more strain on transmission components when taller tyres are installed ? Which may affect the c.v joint itself but shouldn’t affect the actual rubber boot.

 

[Rossh36]

Maybe there is more strain on transmission components when taller tyres are installed ? Which may affect the c.v joint itself but shouldn’t affect the actual rubber boot.

They’d need to have evidence to prove that it may or may not increase strain; from a product management perspective, they’re simply practicing CYA(cover your arse) by asking the question then deciding.

Another case of big co versus consumer and who’s got the money to challenge, or not.

 

[EnduroScout]

I just dropped of my Quartermaster for a 4 inch lift & 35's at Owl Vans. Owl hasn't done me wrong yet.

I don't see any reason why the lift should cause failure. There are enough stock vehicles having problems - can't blame the lift/tires at this point if there is a problem.

 

[anand]

I don't see any reason why the lift should cause failure. There are enough stock vehicles having problems

The lift increases the angle of the boot, which then causes the folds in the boot to spend the majority of their time (the new ride height) at an angle that was once only experienced when moving through the ROM of the suspension (momentary). The commonly believed theory is that this causes an excessive heat build up, causing boot failure.

The vast majority of failed boots have been on lifted vehicles (by a large percentage), and while Ineos and dealers were originally covering these under warranty, I'm pretty confident we've moved beyond that, and as with any other manufacturer, if a modified part can be linked to the failure, the manufacturer is going to point to that part as being a primary contributing factor to the failure

 

[Commodore]

I just dropped of my Quartermaster for a 4 inch lift & 35's at Owl Vans. Owl hasn't done me wrong yet.

I don't see any reason why the lift should cause failure. There are enough stock vehicles having problems - can't blame the lift/tires at this point if there is a problem.

Because it makes the driveshaft angle even worse. Pretty simple really.

 

[EnduroScout]

only one way to find out...

 

[MattA]

Any lift increase drive shaft angle on all 4wds.
Any increase in drive shaft angle increases vibration and wear
Simples ….

 

[EnduroScout]

Owl warranties the drive drive shaft if they do the install. I've used this company with my Sprinter van. They've always delivered quality.

Grenadier Suspension - TrailFlo Lift Kit for INEOS Grenadier

Grenadier suspension that delivers on-road drivability, off-road capability, and improved ground clearance for the 2024+ Grenadier and Quartermaster. Made by Owl.

owlvans.com

 

[anand]

Owl warranties the drive drive shaft if they do the install. I've used this company with my Sprinter van. They've always delivered quality.

Which is great... Unless you have a driveshaft failure when you aren't immediately around one of their install locations.

Their expansion has been rapid since they were bought out last year, but they still aren't everywhere an Ineos dealer is

 

[MattA]

How can a 4 inch lift be used without all the additional parts to do it properly?
Different suspension arms, spaces for sway bars or sway bar extensions , extended brake lines, drive shaft spaces for the yoke , hand brake mods and the list goes on and on.

 

[C-Mack]

Owl covers the driveshaft? Curious how long it’ll be before they get tired of replacing driveshafts or CV-Joints every few thousand miles especially after a 4” lift? I’m all for folks having fun with their toys but this seems like a bit of a liability in the making to me.