disco headache

hi guys my 200 tdi is giving me a headache! literrally.
only had the car a little over 6 weeks, from purchase i noticed a slight droning noise above crawling speed. then today i took my first motorway journey and at motorway speeds, 50mph+ the noise is unbearable, it sounds like a wheel bearing is shot but i've replaced all these last week the clutch has also been replaced in last couple of weeks. i suspect its the front diff as when i did the clutch the front diff had alot more backlash than the rear, the noise goes away if the clutch is depressed and gets worse when its under more load ( i.e cruising at 60 start to climb a gradient= more droning. downhill= less droning.) wondering if this sounds like a diff fault to any of you guys or could it be a gearbox noise being transmitted through propshafts? is there any way i could properly diagnose either without having to buy one or the other just in case? any help would be greatly appreciated as i can see this costing me a fortune in paracetemol.

Doesn't sound like a diff problem, especially if it goes away when the clutch is disengaged.

If it goes away when you press the clutch I would suspect a bearing in the gearbox or transfer box. One (or maybe two?!) of them are prone to wear, but I can't remember which ones - someone on here will surely know! Best get it sorted soon before it causes more damage.

Matt.

if it is the gearbox is it likely that i could repair it myself i trained as a mechanic for three years when i left school so i'm quite competent, but never stripped a gearbox. thats oldschool stuff they don't teach anymore nowadays its just replace the complete unit.

Don't know - that's way beyond my ability! Easy enough to get off the vehicle, but that is where I would get stuck! I'm sure if you have the tools and the know-how you could do it yourself, but better get advice from someone else on here first!

Personally wouldn't be running it around if the noise is that bad. I wouldn't like to shell out for the damage a disintegrated bearing could do to the gearbox.

Matt.

the reson no one does boxes anymore is the price of parts is just stupid. i can do em but its just cheaper and much quicker to swap the box.

seen a disco 1 box c/w transfer box go for 207 quid on ebay today.

i disagree with all of you. i think it is the diff/diffs. try putting molyslip in the diffs as a starter to see if it quietens em down a little. if it does then you know your diff/diffs are on their way out. its cheaper than buying a gearbox to find out its the diffs.

if i am wrong i will post a picture of my bare arse

had a good listen today and i'm 99% certain the noise is from the front of the car. noisy only when under load. so dipping clutch leaves it freewheeling=no load= no noise. a bit of a know it all at work reckons i could remove front prop and take it for a short spin with the centre diff lock in. that should easily distinguish whether its box or not. dosen't sound like a clever idea to me., what do you guys think. cheers for all the advice so far

won't do any harm, but will only eliminate prop or front diff, nothing else.

i agree. give it a go. it wont do any harm to remove the front prop and i reckon you wont hear the noise

ear defenders then he wont hear the noise?

well guys i've bitten the bullet just bought a complete axle with good diff including brakes' swivels steering arm all complete £50. don't know if its the problem yet but couldn't afford to turn it down at the price. picking up wednesday when he's removed it from car so should have it fitted and be able to update you by the end of the week. cheers for all the help so far.

if i am wrong i will post a picture of my bare arse

Click to expand...

Please be right

as for the ear defenders' think i'll just get bigger speakers.

could be the rubber donut damper thingies on the propshaft flange - father out laws 300tdi disco had an issue where one wore away and made a droning noise as this allowed the prop to move radially.

cheers mate should have said earlier that all propshaft donuts and uj's were changed 4 weeks ago. 1 uj was completely dead and it didn't seem worth taking the prop off for that and not doing all the other associated components.

There is no rubber doughnut on a 200tdi its a feature of a a 300tdi

If the noise can be created at a standstill by raising the engine revs alone and the noise appears to be from the N/S/f ,then it is actually the wing itself resonating to the tune of the inlet air resonance as the air filter pokes through into the cavity behind the wing. I have seen this quite a few times and sometimes the under wing shield actually 'cuts' it's way through the wing due to the vibration. The noise is awful like a loud deep drone that comes and goes. Packing a little piece of foam between the wing and shield usually cures it!

When packing the little piece of film, should he do it gently or use a little "force", oh master.........................

i used to have a groaning sound everytime i got in my car......the only thing i found to stop it was a divorce

LOL Lenny.

Welcome to the forum Jedi! I hope you're thick skinned!

Matt