Advice needed please!

Have just made the jump from Series vehicles to a 90 for the first time but slightly worried about a clonking noise from the rear diff area (i think)whenever you release the clutch and move off. Is this a usual noise that older defenders make or is it likely to be something more serious? Any advice gratefully recieved thanks!

Hi There, sorry to hear you have trouble, Ime sure there are far better qualified in this forum to answer this one , but I will list what I think would cause a knock from rear of truck when drive taken up. Ime going to assume its not something silly like the exhaust hitting the body or the suspension on the floor...

1, Check the condition of rear prop shaft and UV joints, check the nuts are tight and look for any signs of damage ect..

2, Check the rear trailing arm bushes, if they are badly worn this will allow the rear axle to float/move when when drive taken up.

3, The rear axle itself may have excessive backlash, this would probably require someone with mechanical know how to check for you.

4 Lastly the noise may be comming from somwhere else, it could be your gearbox layshaft, is the box in good nick , they all are a bit noisey but have you checked yours oot?

Well thats enough for now, ime sure the rest of the lads will pile in soon, cheers

it might be the transfer box.

1. park the car facing downwards
2. pull the hand brake
3. step on the clutch
4. engage the diff lock
5. if diff lock light doesn't engage, step on the foot brake, release the hand brake, roll the vehicle till it does.
6. neutral the diff lock now
7. pull the diff lock level (still in neutral) to dis engage. so it's neutral and not diff locked. if diff lock light is still lit do step 5.
8. pull the knob back into high range. (high range, not diff locked)

drive the car, this might help to 'release' the wind up or slack in the drive.

if this doesn't work, try releasing the clutch slowly when engaging gear 1 on flat ground. do not step on the gas. do you hear the clonk on the take up?? if you do then you might be looking at the rear U joints or prop shaft.

Cheers guys. Will check these out at the weekend when I get a bit of time. Will let you know how I get on!

Also worth checking the A frame ball joint for play. Slightest movement can give a quite loud knock.
Good luck!