newbie needing help please

[deano75]

hi guys,
appy new year,
i was on my 1st offroad day last week,in my new loved defender 200tdi,
after 45 mins off pure enjoyment and laughter,(i drove through a river)
i got stuck, the other guys noticed i had no drive at front wheels,
difflock was engaged,
one guy noticed the front prop was spinning,
they reckoned my half shaft broke,
i heard no bang or clang noise,(though i was on rough terrian)
if i engage normal low or high (not in difflock), i have no drive at all,
so i limped home in difflock high,
i was advised to jack up front of car to check what wheels would turn,
i did this with car in 1st gear difflocked and handbrake on,
guiding me to which half shaft was broken, but both wheels turn freely without any clunking,
can anyone tell me how to check whats broken?
also i have seen disco half shafts on ebay ,,will they fit ?
please and thanks guys
ps this site is amazing, you lot have bailed me out loads of times,

 

[Pikey]

jack front end up and disengage difflock. make sure both wheels are off the floor and sart engine and engage gear. MAKE SURE DIFF IS DISENGAGED. The wheel that doesn't turn is the one you've snapped an Halfshaft on. IIRC disco shaft is same as defenders just check number of splines as later 200's had 24splines.

 

[jamesmartin]

safer to just jack one wheel up not two and each wheel should turn prop or lock if in diff lock ,if both wheels up turning wheel could easily turn the other and not prop so not proving anything

 

[Karlos28]

yeh, jack one wheel. diff lock and handbrake on. if it spins its that side that is broken..

 

[Pikey]

safer to just jack one wheel up not two and each wheel should turn prop or lock if in diff lock ,if both wheels up turning wheel could easily turn the other and not prop so not proving anything

if shaft is snapped driving it with both wheels in the air isn't going to turn both wheels??

 

[jamesmartin]

if shaft is snapped driving it with both wheels in the air isn't going to turn both wheels??

no it wont,but some might feel safer by checking same thing by hand on the ground,even if okay it gives you an idea of play in drive chain to wheel too

 

[deano75]

hi guys,
thanks for advice,
though i,m still puzzled ,
i jacked up each front wheel (one at a time)
difflock high engaged,1st gear and handbrake on,
and both wheels turned freely,,
could it be diff is knacked?
or am i doing this wrong?
or could it be something else that is causing lost front drive?
thanks again

 

[jamesmartin]

could posslbly ,with just one wheel jacked up wheel should only move enough to take up backlash ,so both wheels arent directly connected to transfer box ,could be diff,drive members ,cvs etc ,you will have to take apart to check ,drain oil and check for debris,and have a look through level plug with torch while you get someone to turn diff

 

[deano75]

safer to just jack one wheel up not two and each wheel should turn prop or lock if in diff lock ,if both wheels up turning wheel could easily turn the other and not prop so not proving anything

cheers
i tried it and both wheels turn,
surely both shafts cant be broke?

 

[jamesmartin]

as said above check diff ,but other possibilities are possible

 

[deano75]

could posslbly ,with just one wheel jacked up wheel should only move enough to take up backlash ,so both wheels arent directly connected to transfer box ,could be diff,drive members ,cvs etc ,you will have to take apart to check ,drain oil and check for debris,and have a look through level plug with torch while you get someone to turn diff

thanks again
i will get my mechanic to strip it down,,
the joys,
cheers