Disco 2 D2 V8 Auto - Front to Back Vibration at Speed

Hi All,

I know there have been lots of topics on D2 vibration issues throughout the forum, however most seem to be pretty dated - so instead of digging up an old thread I thought I'd take the group's opinions here.

I've recently purchased a 1999 D2 V8 Auto for my mum! (Yes I know!!)

When driving it back from Reading (to Bedfordshire) I noticed a sort of front to back (from the rear) vibration, it seems to be pretty constant around 45-55mph. However if you accelerate, kick down etc it seems to disappear by the time you're at 60.

I've just had a couple of new tyres on it, (and moved the rest of the wheels round to allow some even wear), and took the opportunity to balance all the wheels, this has had little or no effect.

My next port of call was going to be to remove the propshafts, check for play, and rebuild? Thought I'd get some views before hand though.

Also (may be related), I occasionally hear a faint knock while driving along at slow speeds (10-30mph), doesn't seem to be over bumps or anything too consistent like that.


All opinions appreciated! I'm a Series man really so this D2 seems too comfortable to me anyway - a few more vibration can't be much more than character-building stuff!!

luke.petch said:

My next port of call was going to be to remove the propshafts, check for play, and rebuild?

Click to expand...

presume you've checked the wheel bearings ? ... prop shafts are the next thing I'd be looking at - then probably the ball joints on the front axle.

Good Luck

Didn't notice anything obvious when I had the wheels off, couldn't spot and EP90 leaks either! The diffs are probably empty! haha

First port of call for me for vibration at speeds between 50 and 60 mph would the rubber doughnut coupler on the axle end of the rear prop shaft.
Personally, I would replace it with a GKN unit as a matter of course before going any further. Make sure that it is fitted the correct way round, there are little arrows on it which point towards mating faces. Be prepared for a bit of a tussle with the centering bush if you're going to change that as well.
Obviously, while you have the prop shaft off at on end, you can get a good idea of the condition of the U/J at the T-Box end.
The double cardon double U/J at the T-box end of the front prop shaft can give trouble, but the front U/J is more likely if the front is suspected. The vibration from either prop shaft can rattle right through the vehicle making fault location and identification difficult.

Aha! I should think you were typing that just as mine failed on my D1 on the way home! I'm just about to order a GKN one for the D1 so I'll check the D2 out this afternoon before I do that! Typical isn't it, I was just considering when I'd have to replace the flexible joint on my D1 over lunch! Like you've said there, it was quite hard to trace the vibration felt in my D1 today, I actually suspected a dry wheel bearing on the front axle - but clearly my doughnut is ruined!

Thanks for the advice Brian.

Luke

IME, if the doughnut is gone, replace the center bush as well - they are part of the same unit... and consider the condition of the pin carefully too... no point putting a new bush on a damaged pin.

bush can be removed quite easily using bread ( of the "warburtons" etc variety !!) - as shown here on a spigot bush.....

I was planning to replace the whole lot on mine, bolts and-all, seems like the reasonable thing to do. It's what I've done on my old 90 before now.

This is the joint on my D1 as of today!


Mum's D2 it's intact for sure but the rubber is definitely showing signs of fatigue so I'll order two kits of parts I think.

Cheers Chaps!

^^ oh yeah, that's broke that is ! - if you can, I'd (re) weld that balance weight on a bit more securely, before it falls orft!!

Hi Chaps,

Just to keep the thread updated - I've just replaced the rubber joint on my D1.

I've also spend some time today looking at Mum's D2 again. Rubber joint looks to be in very good condition, although I guess it is showing its ages slightly.

I'm going to order another GKN kit of parts to replace the hole lot on here I think.

I'll do some work to the front prop while it's up on the lift too, it would seem a shame not to get the lot done while I've got access.

Thanks for the advice re-the bearing, got it out a treat after covering my favourite bar in bread...


Cheers!
LP

While you're looking at the prop shafts, it might be a reasonable idea to permanently fit some grease nipples on the sliding joints. Normally there's a small screw in plug which you have to replace with a nipple to do the greasing and then change back to the plug.
I must admit, I haven't found that it particularly unbalances the shaft by any amount, and it makes the job easier to do every year (at least).
Unless a previous owner has used greaseable knuckles on the steering, the only greasing points on a Disco 2 at least should be on the prop shafts.

brian47 said:

While you're looking at the prop shafts, it might be a reasonable idea to permanently fit some grease nipples on the sliding joints. Normally there's a small screw in plug which you have to replace with a nipple to do the greasing and then change back to the plug.
I must admit, I haven't found that it particularly unbalances the shaft by any amount, and it makes the job easier to do every year (at least).
Unless a previous owner has used greaseable knuckles on the steering, the only greasing points on a Disco 2 at least should be on the prop shafts.

Click to expand...

I always wondered why they fitted the grub screw instead of a nipple there. I do remove it and change it back once greased. I have heard there is a risk of hitting on the CM, out of balance issues etc, etc. never investigated why it is not a nipple 100% of time.

Cheers

Disco1BFG said:

bush can be removed quite easily using bread ( of the "warburtons" etc variety !!) - as shown here on a spigot bush.....

Click to expand...

A variation on the theme of using thick grease.

Hi Chaps!

Thought it was time for an update, so a spent a fair few hours in the workshop yesterday, rebuilding both props including replacement of the rubber joint, all the nuts and bolts and also the bearings inside the shafts and the front props constant velocity type bearing. Proper job!

HOWEVER! Mum had reported she can still feel the vibrations, and having been out with her in it this evening, she is correct!

I'm extremely confident with the work I did, and the vibrations have reduced somewhat, but I don't really know what to suspect next? Opinions please.

In other news, it now also won't switch to LPG. For some reason! Prins system, not recognising the full tank of LPG I put in it.


Cheers!
Luke

You could try swapping the wheels over, front to back. Unbalance on the rear tyres can induce a vibration.

Thanks Brian, however, they were all moved round, swapped about and re-balanced when it had two new tyres last month.

It doesn't feel like Wheel wobble or Wheel vibration at all, it feels like something is grabbing, almost resisting drive as you progresss forward. Not always noticeable, but it's definitely still there.

Cheers
Luke