300tdi rattle.

Afternoon.

I've noticed a rattle (when moving) from my landy over last couple of weeks, it's getting worse and louder. Sounds like it's something turning as it matches the speed I'm going...when I slow down it slows down, checked diff oil etc but not gear or transfer.

Vague I know...anyone got anything to start me off. I've looked...nothing loose, half shaft?

Any tips would be great...so hard to locate.

Cheers

Tim

Check your "UJs" for a start , wheel nuts and anything else that rotates under the vehicle

Thanks Moron.
Another development, this afternoon the sound got worse and then I had trouble selecting a gear...once in gear I drove (2nd & 3rd - didn't risk any higher as I wanted to get home). I get back and can get in and out of gear...sometimes normally most of the time it's harder...

Any ideas??? It's been rattling like a bastard so I'm assuming something buggered somewhere.

Hi Mason, how did get on with your problem, my 90 has the same issue ?

Hi Dora, no not sorted yet...it's not the gear/transfer...and the UJs look OK, maybe a little worn. I think it's something in the front axel...but what do I know, oils are new...I do have a knackered ball joint seal on the off side. It sounds like a metal rod inside a metal tube occasionally rubbing the side of the tube...sometimes for a few seconds, sometimes a few mins. Odd...

Swivel hubs ?

Would that make an intermittent rattle...I drove a mile today with no noise...drove back and it sounded like someone had taken out a half shaft and bent it...really odd...I need to take that wheel off and check though.

Mine seems to disappear as the revs increase, going to have a mooch around underneath this weekend - Will let you know what I can find

Does your reverse light work? Might be worth checking the switch if it doesn't. They can sometimes snap inside.

can almost garentee its the UJ's

hand brake off and outta gear get right under it , a good strong hold and turn it left - right, it'll most likley click, if it does its buggered, mind have your head at the end your testing and do test both ends!, I have a prop i just took off with buggered UJ's in the garage, there should be no movement between the two halfs at all,
feel free to PM if you need help!

UJs from my experience rattle more at low speeds, light revs, especially if you come on and off the accelerator. once loaded up in the direction of rotation, you won't hear anything unless its truly shot!

ah see mine have been quiet at low speeds then properly howling at random points including when braking, almost sounding like stones stuck in the disc's,
saying that last time they went it just sounded like a very "hollow" bearing (if hat makes sense)

Rattle is more likely a wheel bearing. More like a tick tick sort of thing? Tighten up your hub nuts (the big fat ones under the drive flange) and see if that helps, but only a temp fix. Do not, under any circumstance, pay 100+ for a wheel bearing from your local Land Rover Dealer. Grab a Timken bearing kit off the interweb for <40 for both bearings + seals etc. While you're there, pop the caliper off and pull your halfshaft/CV assy.
Could also be a CV, but not likely swivels.
UJs squeak, shafts sort of whirr like "whum whum", so not likely either of those.
Also poss brake pad retainer or spring degraded, but would cause different sounds at different speeds.
For your gearbox, top it up.
If you are concerned about the diff, flush it and get a magnetic drain plug. No magnetic drain plug for the swivels, but you can flush them with gear oil over time.
And of course, before getting all wrought over it, pull all the stones out of your tyre tread. Can't hurt to mention it.