differential noise

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kapilamuni

Active Member
Posts
550
Hi,
last week I had total brake failure and managed to get home with the hand brake.
After brake repairs, there is a noise appeared to come from rear wheels. After getting the car on three bottle jacks and running it in D, found that noise is from rear diff. It's like car is moving on the cats eyes or puncture in a rear wheel kind of noise except the bumpy feeling. No vibrations and the noise increases with speed.

any help appreciated.
 
Yes, that's the only option.
Here, we have only a handful of P38s , used parts are non existent. But plenty of Dependers.
Sad issue is depender 3rd member is not same as P38s, I guess.
 
Depender = Defender?

I'd change the oil ASAP. A second flush won't hurt if it needs attention. Definitely the diff and not the hand-brake shoes slipped or something from being used as an emergency brake?
 
kapilamuni said:
Hi,
last week I had total brake failure and managed to get home with the hand brake.
After brake repairs, there is a noise appeared to come from rear wheels. After getting the car on three bottle jacks and running it in D, found that noise is from rear diff. It's like car is moving on the cats eyes or puncture in a rear wheel kind of noise except the bumpy feeling. No vibrations and the noise increases with speed.

any help appreciated.
Click to expand...
does the diff drive flange have any play
 
Yes, the diff drive flange has some play, if u mean by flange is where the prop shaft joins the diff. Anyway, that play was there before the incident and was noticeable when put into reverse.
Well, I was under the car while engine running in gear. Definitely, its the diff. I can use the handbrake without any issues.
 
Drained oil from the diff and removed the propshaft. The oil look dark and only a thin film of metal on the drain plug.
On the bottom of the container had these tiny bits of steel.
image.jpeg
image.jpeg

The largest piece is about 5mm.
Once prop shaft out rotated the wheel and rotated diff flange but could not find any noise or roughness.
Anyway, changed the uj though it was fairly in good condition.
Test drove after refilling with EP90 gear oil but noise remains.
 
kapilamuni said:
Drained oil from the diff and removed the propshaft. The oil look dark and only a thin film of metal on the drain plug.
On the bottom of the container had these tiny bits of steel.
View attachment 99675 View attachment 99676
The largest piece is about 5mm.
Once prop shaft out rotated the wheel and rotated diff flange but could not find any noise or roughness.
Anyway, changed the uj though it was fairly in good condition.
Test drove after refilling with EP90 gear oil but noise remains.
Click to expand...

Only way to tell properly is to remove diff and look. But if you have 5 mm bits of metal in the oil something in there is not happy.
 
have you checked the hand brake shoes because some times this noise can be made if the spring clips that keep the shoes in place, could of come out. rotted away. but it does sound like the diff bearings UP DATE.......hand brake will work as normal...... ive just watched your video on the noise. you need to get it looked at by some one who knows about prop shafts and diffs. i would say it could be the carrier bearing on the prop but im just guessing again i would have to check everything on the prop first then the diff. i dont think its the diff my self. the prop some where is at fault. my guess.
 
Last edited:
philip pickard said:
have you checked the hand brake shoes because some times this noise can be made if the spring clips that keep the shoes in place, could of come out. rotted away. but it does sound like the diff bearings.
Click to expand...
In that case ,can the hand brake function as usual? The noise is simillar and with half the loudness to this but without the screaching or vibrations. Hope I ,m permitted to use his video to clarify the point.
 
Last edited:
diff or t/box ,id remove prop and try though it might not prove anything could indicate which,ive known then run on completely busted diffs and its only been proven when the other diff went ie no drive
 
Hi Guys,
Finally got it out. The crown wheel has 3-4 teeth broken at two places. Nothing wrong with the pinion gear just few scratch marks but no broken teeth. Thanks Wammers for identifying it at the very begining.
image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg
Broken pieces were in the bottom of the diff, little deeper than the drain.
Wonder why its a 2 pin version in rear.
Now to look for a diff. Anything in Defender diffs that matching P38?
Otherwise I will have to import which is prohbitively expensive. Arghh....
 
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