Prop shaft alignment

justlooking · Mar 26, 2012

1993 3 door 200TDi Disco 1

Hi Folks,

Had the truck up on a hoist to do all the fluids, courtesy of a friend in the motor trade, and he noted that the front prop shaft is not aligned, something he suggested that I fix.

The Haines manual says to witness-mark if removing the prop shaft and reusing it, but makes no reference beyond that. It appears that the UJ's are out of phase by one spline, is that an issue that I need to deal with or should I leave it alone?

Also, he noted that there is a fair amount of free play in the steering, but said it is not in the steering box or UJ's in the steering column, but seems further up the column.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

J

jamesmartin · Mar 26, 2012

front props are like that ,so leave as is ,you need to get someone to rock steering wheel and place your hand on various parts ,linkage ,drop arm etc and you should feel were play is

GreenHornet · Mar 26, 2012

Axle UJ should be 30 degrees ahead of the gearbox UJ on the front and in phase, I.e. aligned, on the rear.

MR Martin Sir, I have fitted my prop shaft on the front, which is as I have described above, however the split is near the axle. I have now turned it around so if the prop splits whilst off roading, the long section of the prop will drag from the axle rather than dig in from the gearbox. Hope this makes sense.

Anyhow my question is, now I have turned the prop around, the front UJ, near the diff, is now behind the gearbox end UJ by 30 Degrees. There is a little vibration but do you think I should turn it back around?

I turned it around because I have a big lift and needed peace of mind when off roading.
Cheers

justlooking · Mar 26, 2012

Thanks team, good info.

Re the steering free play,

"you need to get someone to rock steering wheel and place your hand on various parts ,linkage ,drop arm etc and you should feel were play is "

we've done that and established that the movement is in the steering column, after it goes from the engine bay into the fire wall.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

J

ps: Nice sounding truck, Green Hornet

jamesmartin · Mar 26, 2012

GreenHornet said:
Axle UJ should be 30 degrees ahead of the gearbox UJ on the front and in phase, I.e. aligned, on the rear.

MR Martin Sir, I have fitted my prop shaft on the front, which is as I have described above, however the split is near the axle. I have now turned it around so if the prop splits whilst off roading, the long section of the prop will drag from the axle rather than dig in from the gearbox. Hope this makes sense.

Anyhow my question is, now I have turned the prop around, the front UJ, near the diff, is now behind the gearbox end UJ by 30 Degrees. There is a little vibration but do you think I should turn it back around?

I turned it around because I have a big lift and needed peace of mind when off roading.
Cheers

prop slide is only put at the axle end as on early models gaiter on slide would rub on cross member

jamesmartin · Mar 26, 2012

justlooking said:
Thanks team, good info.

Re the steering free play,

"you need to get someone to rock steering wheel and place your hand on various parts ,linkage ,drop arm etc and you should feel were play is "

we've done that and established that the movement is in the steering column, after it goes from the engine bay into the fire wall.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

J

ps: Nice sounding truck, Green Hornet

you will have to look above foot well , ive never had issues with colum,is steering wheel on tight

John FHA · Mar 27, 2012

my front prop has the slide at the box end. you can't be a spline out as it will only go in one way. I know this from bitter experience. It must slide easy tho.
Steering whilst engine off has upto 70mm play hold a rule to the side of your steering wheel and measure the play anything upto 70mm is MOT ok.

jamesmartin · Mar 27, 2012

you can on many props when not worn

Prop shaft alignment

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