Used Undercarriage Parts

The driveshaft on construction machinery: role and function

The driveshaft is the transmission shaft connecting two rotating components whose axes are not perfectly aligned — typically the gearbox and the front or rear axle of a wheeled vehicle. It transmits engine power while absorbing angular variations caused by suspension movement, steering, or chassis articulation.

On construction machines, the driveshaft is subjected to particularly severe stresses: high torque, significant angles on rough terrain, shocks, and constant vibrations. Its lifespan directly depends on operating conditions and the maintenance of joints — yokes and bearings — which ensure the assembly's flexibility.

There are two main types on construction equipment:

• Transmission driveshaft connecting the gearbox to the front and rear axles
• Steering driveshaft found on some machines with steerable axles

Signs a construction driveshaft needs replacement

Quickly identifying a driveshaft failure prevents secondary damage to the gearbox or axles:

• Driving vibrations increasing with speed — often the first sign
• Clunking or jolting during acceleration or deceleration
• Dull or grinding noise at constant speed, especially under load
• Grease leakage at joint or yoke levels
• Excessive play noticeable when manually moving the shaft
• Visible wear on U-joints, needle bearings, or bushings

A worn driveshaft can break suddenly under load, causing complete downtime and damage to adjacent components. Repairs should not be delayed.

Used driveshafts: available brands and machines

Our stock of 102 driveshafts covers the most common wheeled construction machines on French job sites:

• Caterpillar — the most represented brand in our inventory. Driveshafts are available for backhoe loaders (428, 432, 438), wheel loaders (966, 972, 980), and articulated dump trucks (735, 740).
• Volvo — a large stock volume. Articulated dump trucks A25, A30, A35, A40, backhoe loaders BL71, and loaders L90, L110, L150 are especially well covered.
• Komatsu — driveshafts available for backhoe loaders WB93, WB97, WB140 and loaders WA320, WA380.
• Liebherr — references for L-series loaders and A-series wheeled excavators with mechanical transmission.
• Case — backhoe loaders 580 and 590 among the most common models.
• JCB — driveshafts for 3CX, 4CX backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers.
• Bell — articulated dump trucks B25, B30, B35 covered by our stock.
• New Holland — references available depending on current stock.

Is your brand or model not listed? Contact our team at +33 (0)5 18 23 21 34 or via the inquiry form — our physical stock always exceeds the online catalogue.

Codimatra: your specialized used driveshaft parts supplier for all brands

Codimatra operates as a professional European-scale construction equipment dismantler. At our 7-hectare logistics site, we dismantle machinery of all brands daily — backhoe loaders, dump trucks, loaders, compactors — and meticulously recover every reusable component, including driveshafts.

Unlike peer-to-peer advertisement platforms, every driveshaft from our yard is identified, inspected, and stored under controlled conditions before being offered for sale. You benefit from the rigorous selection of a professional, with full traceability on the part's origin and a technical contact available to verify compatibility with your machine.

Our dismantling activity continuously supplies a stock exceeding 18,000 references of quality used parts for all brands — driveshafts, axles, gearboxes, cylinders, engines, and more.

Used construction machinery and mini-excavator parts: why choose controlled used parts?

The use of used spare parts for construction equipment is now the preferred solution for fleet managers, contractors, and workshop managers seeking to control maintenance costs without compromising fleet reliability.

For a used driveshaft or any other used mini-excavator or construction equipment part, the key factor is the quality of the inspection performed before sale. At Codimatra, this inspection is systematic: visual check of U-joints and bearings, mechanical play verification, dimensional control, and precise identification of compatibility with your model.

Savings compared to new parts typically range from 40 to 60%, with no compromise on service life — provided you source from a dismantling professional with the expertise and appropriate inspection tools.