Defender 90 Terrible grinding/clunking under deceleration

Nick20 · May 23, 2018

Hello again,

My 200tdi defender 90 has a problem thats been a priority to fix since i bought it not too long ago.
Drives pretty normally (actually quite nicely on decent roads with smooth gear changes) however as soon as it goes above 40mph and especially into 5th gear, it lets off the worst knocking/grinding noise as soon as i let off the accelerator.

Its most prevalent and aggressive at faster speeds when i let off acceleration and really makes a longer drive unbearable.

Some research has brought up the drive flanges and rear halfshafts to be the culprits which i dont mind replacing though i havent had the chance to remove for inspection. Could there be anything else causing this? Handbrake drum has also been mentioned but i wouldnt know what to look for in the handbrake drum and i do think the rear prop could be an issue but wouldnt know how to properly diagnose this regarding excessive play.

If anyone could point me into certain areas of the car to look at would be appreciated as currently, ive been told multiple different problems that could be causing this.

thank you

neilly · May 23, 2018

HI Nick,

May not be the answer, but I would start by checking and greasing the UJ's if possible and taking the props offf and making sure they slide OK.

Cheers

neilly · May 23, 2018

Might be useful

Cheers

Nick20 · May 23, 2018

neilly said:
Might be useful

Cheers

Perfect thanks and just to make sure, is there anything i should do before removing the rear prop or can i just go under with a couple spanners and take it off? For example it wouldnt be a problem if the vehicle was on the ground in gear and handbrake on?
Sorry for obvious questions but would rather double check.

neilly · May 23, 2018

Nick20 said:
Perfect thanks and just to make sure, is there anything i should do before removing the rear prop or can i just go under with a couple spanners and take it off? For example it wouldnt be a problem if the vehicle was on the ground in gear and handbrake on?
Sorry for obvious questions but would rather double check.

Chock the front wheels and one rear , jack the other rear wheel up on an axle stand , release handbrake, which allows you to turn the prop and access the bolts. 9/16 spanner. A prop tool makes life easier.

You may be able to find a few local members who may be able to give you some pointers face to face.

Download the RAVE manual, you will need it at some point.

Be careful.

Nick20 · May 23, 2018

neilly said:
Chock the front wheels and one rear , jack the other rear wheel up on an axle stand , release handbrake, which allows you to turn the prop and access the bolts. 9/16 spanner. A prop tool makes life easier.

You may be able to find a few local members who may be able to give you some pointers face to face.

Download the RAVE manual, you will need it at some point.

Be careful.

Will do thanks.
Typically i'm quite good with researching before i tackle a job and do enough so im comfortable doing it but i find many youtube tutorials (especially the main guys like Land rover Toolbox) who may miss out certain points or details sometimes and although to most it is probably obvious. Still leaves novices like myself not 100% clear on steps at times.

neilly · May 23, 2018

Nick20 said:
Will do thanks.
Typically i'm quite good with researching before i tackle a job and do enough so im comfortable doing it but i find many youtube tutorials (especially the main guys like Land rover Toolbox) who may miss out certain points or details sometimes and although to most it is probably obvious. Still leaves novices like myself not 100% clear on steps at times.

Always a risk that a few points might be missed, one of the reasons I suggested finding a local landie owner who may be willing to give a few pointers, or even better find a LR / 4X4 group, the one I belong to have a few workshops each year to help each other out and we pop over to each others places when something needs doing when the owner may not be sure or needs a hand.

Cheers

jamesmartin · May 23, 2018

Nick20 said:
Hello again,

My 200tdi defender 90 has a problem thats been a priority to fix since i bought it not too long ago.
Drives pretty normally (actually quite nicely on decent roads with smooth gear changes) however as soon as it goes above 40mph and especially into 5th gear, it lets off the worst knocking/grinding noise as soon as i let off the accelerator.

Its most prevalent and aggressive at faster speeds when i let off acceleration and really makes a longer drive unbearable.

Some research has brought up the drive flanges and rear halfshafts to be the culprits which i dont mind replacing though i havent had the chance to remove for inspection. Could there be anything else causing this? Handbrake drum has also been mentioned but i wouldnt know what to look for in the handbrake drum and i do think the rear prop could be an issue but wouldnt know how to properly diagnose this regarding excessive play.

If anyone could point me into certain areas of the car to look at would be appreciated as currently, ive been told multiple different problems that could be causing this.

thank you

it wont be half shafts or drive members props etc if its on over run its more likely diff pinion bearings or transfer box

Nick20 · May 23, 2018

jamesmartin said:
it wont be half shafts or drive members props etc if its on over run its more likely diff pinion bearings or transfer box

Oh boy don't like the sound of that

Nick20 · May 23, 2018

Think i will have to video the sound tomorrow to give the best chance of finding what the problem is. Found many similar issues to mine online but not sure ive seen one that is almost exactly the same.
For example, its not gear specific but more relates to the speed and abruptness of decelerating. The quicker i release acceleration at higher speeds, the more aggressive the sound is.
Not that noticeable below 30

payydg · May 23, 2018

Could be intermediate gear on transfer box

Nick20 · May 24, 2018

You can hear some knocking/grinding at 36/37second mark where i was deliberately letting off power however the severe noise is at 0:50-0:53 but for some reason the sound on video quietens during it, Much louder and aggressive in person.

hbhughes · Aug 24, 2021

Long time since this has been active but I’m having the exact same problem right now! Did you ever get to the bottom of it?

tottot · Aug 24, 2021

My guess it was hand brake drum dragging some. Expander wears and gets gummed up, return springs weak. When engine is driving the system nothing to notice but as power comes off the slightly gripping shoes set up a judder. Hot drum is a symptom, new bits the answer.

When you find/sort your problem please post answer here. Hate it when folk do not finish a thread

hbhughes · Aug 24, 2021

tottot said:
My guess it was hand brake drum dragging some. Expander wears and gets gummed up, return springs weak. When engine is driving the system nothing to notice but as power comes off the slightly gripping shoes set up a judder. Hot drum is a symptom, new bits the answer.

When you find/sort your problem please post answer here. Hate it when folk do not finish a thread

Taking mine to a mechanic friend tomorrow to have a look with it up on the ramp. Hopefully will get to the bottom of it!

Defender 90 Terrible grinding/clunking under deceleration

Nick20

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neilly

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neilly

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Nick20

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neilly

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Nick20

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neilly

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jamesmartin

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Nick20

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Nick20

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payydg

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Nick20

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hbhughes

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tottot

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hbhughes

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