Series 3 Spigot, release bearing or main shaft?

Merry Christmas everyone, wishing you each a healthy and safe 2023! Before posting, I have been through each of the forums and watch a number of You Tube vids. I have studied the book of lies plus the manual and I have got to the following.
I have a very annoying "bell housing clanking" (sounds like saucepan lids/internal tapping on bell housing). My concern is that something is wearing - and wearing fast. Eager to remedy as I have re-fitted my gearbox after full refurb (as I was advised this was required as clanking was down to float?). It occurs only in the following circumstances:

• Free wheeling, clutch down and in gear - usually 1st or revearse (typically rolling up to a juction, or changing 1st to 2nd in low revs/traffic), clanking spinning noise, sounds as above
• Free wheeling, clutch down - out of gear - nuffin, no clanking no noise

I have done the following:

• Full gearbox refurb at Simmonites
• Re-fitted new Borg Beck clutch, new delphi clutch slave cyclinder
• Spigot was replaced in 2018 during engine rebuild - so left as is (perhaps my 1st mistake)
• New plastic clutch release bearing (perhaps my 2nd mistake, should had fitted heavy duty option)
• Clutch fork - was replaced in 2018, still has the weld when I re-inforced it
• All new clutch hydraulics, new slave, new pipes, new master, all shimmed as it was originally set up

To test it, I have placed it in 4wd high and low - no symptoms.

I was hopping to get the box out again and get a crane on hire this holiday, but the long haired general has gone n.u.t.s. as last time I apparently disappeared for a few day, was generally happier but also consummed too much booze and stank of fags......oh, the joy.

Any ideas anyone? Is the clutch not totally dis engaging, causing the clanking - or is something that I am totally just not getting. The spigot looked spot on when I re-fitted it - but in hindsight, perhaps I shoulod have just replaced it. I dunno.

Any input would be warmly appreciated.

Doubt it would be anything to do with spigot as always engaged. As just about everything from the spigot back has been renewed I am wondering if problem may be due to end float in engine. Thinking outside the box a bit here.

Now that is a thought that I have definetly not had. This clanking has been present since I owned the car in 2017. Due to increase in use, I wanted to get resolved, and as you say, I have executed all works on the gearbox end, but perhaps now is the time to focus on the engine side and the crank end float. Thanks tottot!

Merry Christmas to you too. My series makes a similar noise, (amongst others) I've put it down to worn UJs on the prop. If you own a series, you can't be worrying about odd noises, it'll drive you nuts.

Col

You can check crank thrust washer easily by getting someone to press the clutch down a few times whilst you watch the crank pulley.

Good practice to replace release bearing every clutch change, at work most of the clutches we replace are purely down to release bearings blowing apart, very vey rare to actually get a worn out clutch.

ORJIP said:

Merry Christmas everyone

Click to expand...

Merry Christmas!

Is your suspension standard, or, has the ride height been increased? and so, the propshaft angle increased?

Thanks Rat Bag, yes, all standard - but I will pop out later and check the front prop again. I did so just last week. I previously took it off and drove around without it on - but alas, no change in clatter!

ORJIP said:

Thanks Rat Bag, yes, all standard - but I will pop out later and check the front prop again. I did so just last week. I previously took it off and drove around without it on - but alas, no change in clatter!

Click to expand...

Looking at the long list of work done, perhaps the fault isn't actually in the bell housing.

I was thinking that that there might be a torsional vibration coming from a prop shaft. In a low gear, this vibration would be amplified up by the gearing.

You've eliminated the front prop. What about the rear prop? While the vehicle will drive without the rear prop in four wheel drive; only for testing purposes because then, the handbrake is relying on the fwd dog and selector mechanism.

I have had funny growling noises on my s2 from the rear prop as the sliding splines were heavily worn.

Maybe get one of them cheap stethoscopes and get someone else to drive whilst you have a listen?

If the spring is worn on the bottom of the yellow lever that can also cause some noises.

Did the car make this noise before the gearbox was refurbed?

Is the nut tight on the gearbox output shaft? not the prop flange nut but the actual nut hidden under the pto cover, quite easy to access.

Is this a Series? Asking because you mention welding the clutch fork, and to the best of my knowledge LR didn't start making them from cheese until the 90/110...

Lynall, thanks for your input and thoughts. Yes, it did make this noise prior to gbox refurb. I'd been advised that this was gear chatter by a general gbox specialist, so I was a little disapointed that once refitted the clanking changine gear is still there. I will drop the oil this weekend and check the output shaft nut again, as I guess this might cause some float. I've yet to play about with the prop shafts as suggested again, I will revert with updates, yet typically I am offshore with work for a few weeks.

Just an update - handbrake shoe catching, slowing up drive train causing clatter at the clutch end. Handbrake drum not hot hot, but luke warm after a run. I'd have thought after 500+ miles the drum shoes will have worn enough, yet clearly not. A 60 mile trip yesterday (she started first turn of the key after a near 6 weeks of having not be run! get in there! You'll all know that feeling!) yet a small turn on the shoe adjuster is all that it took! FFS! Gonna treat myself to an early evening pasty and Guinness.