Freelander 1 Prop UJ bearing cover damaged

I've damaged the UJ bearing cover thing where the prop shaft meets with the vcu. Main stealer tells me they don't sell the UJ separate for the v6 Freelander. You have to buy a new front prop for £350+vat, which comes with the UJ.

Anyone got any ideas on how to solve the problem? I'm concerned when I go off road later this month in Wales I'll fill it with water/mud and cause problems with the bearings. I tried pushing the cover back on, but it's having none of it.


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yup noo prop Im afraid - and its an MOT fail too .

burn it ffsa willl ya....

how long you had that 1 in there for.is it oe?

Independent prop shaft refurbisher?

Thanks MHM.

Bob - **** off ya pasty munchin twot - it's the original LR fitted prop and UJ. Done 24300 miles in 9 years. I think I damaged it when messing with it when replacing the vcu bearings. May have to see if I can reshape it with a needle, and get it to fit betterer.

unfortunately its the same with the gaiter - if it splits, its a noo propshaft anorl .

sparky998 said:

Independent prop shaft refurbisher?

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Ah, now you mention it the main stealer parts bloke drew a pic on the back of the receipt for other stuff I was getting. Some months ago so I forgot. If there's knowone on here that knows of a direct replcement I can buy, then I'll find the receipt (got enough of them to wall paper his garage) and report back to help others when I find out more.

Is it a simple case of giving someone the UJ dimentions and asking them to supply one the correct size, with bearings, or will they need the whole prop and fit it with new bearings etc?

The Mad Hat Man said:

unfortunately its the same with the gaiter - if it splits, its a noo propshaft anorl .

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Yep gaiter ripped off too. I've got a slide a boot gaiter kit to replace that. I know we spoke about this some time ago, and others struggled to get it to stay on, but I'll have a go next month and report back if it works using hose clips to keep it on. I hope to do the ird pinion bearing, prop uj bearing cover and gaiter boot all at the same time.

go buy a noo one.how much are theyy then.

probably plenty in scrap yard.

Beast o Bodmin said:

go buy a noo one.how much are theyy then.

probably plenty in scrap yard.

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A noo one is £350+vat. From what I understand the v6 front prop is different to the other engine options on the Freelander 1. They do come up on ebay, but they’re around £125. Most don’t have the gaiter fitted - known part to fail (one of many). Those I’ve asked about previously have destroyed the UJ during removal. Scrap yards know of their value, and know the v6 option is rarer. Finding one that’s being broken for parts, with the front prop fitted is a rarity. But I’ll keep looking for a bit.

if you can dismantle it sympathetically surely a bearing factor could supply you with a new hardy spicer, (universal joint), if you take them the prop they should be able to get all the measurements, so you can have the new one ready to fit, they are easy to fit, when you have done a few, but can be tempermental for first timers!

I built a Lotus 7 copy some years ago and had to have the prop shaft shortened. I took the old one in and they cut, joined, replaced UJs and balanced the whole thing in a couple of days. I'd suggest finding a local one and let them see the job to see if they can do it then get the shaft off at home take it in and with luck you're back driving by the end of next week.

Used to have Triumphs. Heralds and Spitfires, and got very good at changing the halfshaft UJs, but there wasn't so much of a problem about balance with those.

Thanks. I'll have a go at getting someone to sort it and report back.

Ere, did you get it fixed?

Hippo said:

Ere, did you get it fixed?

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Yes. It cost £30 + vat for supply and fitting of a new universal joint. Part number UL045L. They said it's a standard size part so no worries about being able to get them. I chose to have mine fitted as they can be difficult to do. I don't have a press. Me new universal joint:


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Hippo said:

Yes. It cost £30 + vat for supply and fitting of a new universal joint. Part number UL045L. They said it's a standard size part so no worries about being able to get them. I chose to have mine fitted as they can be difficult to do. I don't have a press. Me new universal joint:

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It's not nessessarry to have a press when fitting a prop UJ!! A 4" vise works just as well. I've even used a copper hammer before now, although for 30 quid I'd get it done

Nodge68 said:

It's not nessessarry to have a press when fitting a prop UJ!! A 4" vise works just as well. I've even used a copper hammer before now, although for 30 quid I'd get it done

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I thought the same. It only pushes out and the replacement pushed in. But if I broke'd the prop or caused it damage I'd need further work done. Also the strength through these things is massive so I played safe. I was just happy to get it done without the need for expensive replacements. I think LR may sell the UJ for the v6 now, which before they didn't.

Hippo said:

I thought the same. It only pushes out and the replacement pushed in. But if I broke'd the prop or caused it damage I'd need further work done. Also the strength through these things is massive so I played safe. I was just happy to get it done without the need for expensive replacements. I think LR may sell the UJ for the v6 now, which before they didn't.

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As far as I know, the actual joint is the same for all Freelanders. There isn't anything special about the V6 prop but I think it's a slightly different length. Contrary to MHM post earlier, the rubber CV boot at the front of the prop is also available

Nodge68 said:

As far as I know, the actual joint is the same for all Freelanders. There isn't anything special about the V6 prop but I think it's a slightly different length. Contrary to MHM post earlier, the rubber CV boot at the front of the prop is also available

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It's been a while since the OP started the fred. Microcat 2010 says TVF100000 UJ is suitable for my v6. Previously there wasn't a part listed. Looks like it fits all FL1's. v6 front prop is a different part. Expensive too.

Regarding the boot, LR stopped making the service kit to replace just the boot and metal collar thin plate some years ago. We get replacements from dave mac props these days. Is this the one yer thinking of or has LR started doing them again? The original concertina type rips too easily.

GKN Group (Hardy Spicer) make almost all the LR propshafts & CV drive shafts. I would be 99.99% sure that the V6 prop shaft is a standard shaft apart from the length. The U.J's used on the shafts are standard parts.
My old Dad worked at Hardy Spicer in Birmingham for over 30 years and used to replace U.J's & CV joints as a sideline on a weekend for a bit of beer money !! He didn't have a hand press, only a sturdy vice. He would replace both U.J's on a propshaft in about 20 minutes.
No need to balance them after refurb either.