300 TDI Clicking noise when driving, seems like transmission

Hello, can anybody help with this noise? When I get to 20/30mph I get a loud clicking noise from the front. When I'm going slow nothing there. Rev the engine in neutral nothing. When driving with the noise, if I dip the clutch it goes slightly better, but it's still there. Any ideas what it could be?

CV joints click when they are dying but not usually in a straight line.. does it get worse if you go round on full lock?

I second the cv joint idea and add the universal joint as another suspect
easy to check as well

thanks for the replies, I didn’t notice it getting worse on corners. I was on the motorway when it started. I pulled off and got a mate to pick me up with a trailer. I will check it tonight.
Is it easier enough to grease the cv joint?

Probably a seizing UJ joint on front prop shaft, more than usual vibration when driving?

Haven’t noticed any more vibration than normal

Easier to check propshafts than cv joint so I would start there.
CV joint isn't like conventional cars with a cv boot, it is in the swivel housing.

Sign's of UJ on the way out.
1 one of the four journals not taking grease. [ may last some time before it goes but go it will in the end]
2 new vibration while driving.
3 Looking at journals you may see rusty stains around the seizing cap.
4 clicking sounds, joint is not seized but is dry and that is taking its toll on the needle pin bearings in the cap
5 Classic sound of a canary bird singing underneath when driving.
6 Clonk and clatter when setting off, changing speed, changing gear.
At point 6 not much time left before the joint separates, the needle pins have gone, and journal is now wearing through the bearing caps.

I would concur with above - a UJ first then check your CV's
Ive just changed a front UJ - well did the entire front prop in the end but I had the clicking noise intermittently, mainly on a turn and under trottle.

Andrew73 said:

thanks for the replies, I didn’t notice it getting worse on corners. I was on the motorway when it started. I pulled off and got a mate to pick me up with a trailer. I will check it tonight.
Is it easier enough to grease the cv joint?

Click to expand...

a noisy CV will need to be replaced.. assume its the same with s seized UV on the prop

Andrew73 said:

I will check it tonight.
Is it easier enough to grease the cv joint?

Click to expand...

If you have some one shot grease, it’s a five minute job to add grease to the swivel (cv joint)
Put wheel on full lock and remove the large hex bung and squeeze some grease in. Then replace the bung and wind the wheel onto the other lock and repeat. If you haven’t put any in before, or if your chrome balls are damp, they may be needing done

I checked play in the universal joints and they looked ok. I drove it today and it dca more rattling noise with loud clicks. When I was checking the universal joint there is metal ring where the shaft going in to the transfer box. This ring is loose and moved in and out by 5-7 mm. See photo

You probably mean the mud shield, although my link is for the diff end.

That UJ doesn't look like its been greased for years.

Anaconda said:

Defender, Discovery 1 & 2, 4 Bolt Diff Flange, GL1089 – GwynLewis4x4.co.uk

gwynlewis4x4.co.uk

You probably mean the mud shield, although my link is for the diff end.

Click to expand...

Should this be tight on the shaft?

Andrew73 said:

Should this be tight on the shaft?

Click to expand...

It presses onto the flange like the one in the link.

Anaconda said:

That UJ doesn't look like it’s been greased for years.

Click to expand...

I agree, I’ve greased them up tonight. The defender has only done 500 miles in the 10 years

Best option is replace the flange, the shield will have worn rattling around. Would be good to renew seal as well.

Thanks for the feedback, changed the flange, oil seal, bearing and mud guard and it’s fine now

Happy days, thanks for the update.