Both diffs gone

My 1992 Disco was hauled away on a truck the other day after I lost drive.
I've just been to the garage who have diagnosed both front and rear diffs are shot.
Does this sound possible?
If it is possible, is it terminal for such an old vehicle?

Your help and advice is highly valued.

Cannot believe that both diffs have failed at the same time. It sounds more like the transfer box has gone into neutral, have you or the garage tried moving your high/low ratio lever?

I lost drive to front wheels at first.
Put it into diff lock which gave my drive through rear.
It packed up on way to garage to have front looked at.

That does point to the central diff failing (located in the transfer box) not the front or rear diff's. Or the other alternative is cv joint/halfshaft failure in the front axle followed by the same in the rear, but not very likely unless some extreme stress's where placed on them. Before the failure where there any "bad" noises or excessive transmission "shunt" in evidence?

I did the front and rear in mine on one day, but I properly hammering the bugger in a swamp at the time. So it is do-able but I doubt it under the conditions you have stated.

When the front went, it made horrible clonking noises from onw side when turning on tight locks.
The rear went in a car park. No obvious warnoig.
I now wonder if the garage just doesn't know and wants rid of the vehicle.

take the props off and put it in gear, see if the flanges are turning, if not then it aint both diffs

Many thanks for all your advice.
Turned out that you chaps saved me about 5000 euros!

Rear diff was completely shagged and front near-side cv bearing had shattered.

Got the bits from a 2000 Defender and modified the brakes to fit mine.

Now back on the road.


Great advice. Many thanks.

Always glad to be of assistance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!