disco noise help please

hi all, got a little (hopefully) problem with my 97 disco v8, it all started when towing our caravan the disco started making a clincking sound ( only way i can explain the sound is it was like an exhaust rattling sound) as soon as i un hitched the caravan it stopped, also it seemed like it only came when i took foot of the accelerator, now it is happening without the van and it gets louder and louder it also gets worse when i pull the handbrake up whilst driving, gonna have a look at hndbrake obviously but if that looks ok what else do i look for ( but surely if it was the hanndbrake wouldnt that be like worn shoe noise
sorry for long reading and bad gramma ( vodka lol ) :doh:
cheers for any reply and suggestions

busterdaboxer said:

hi all, got a little (hopefully) problem with my 97 disco v8, it all started when towing our caravan the disco started making a clincking sound ( only way i can explain the sound is it was like an exhaust rattling sound) as soon as i un hitched the caravan it stopped, also it seemed like it only came when i took foot of the accelerator, now it is happening without the van and it gets louder and louder it also gets worse when i pull the handbrake up whilst driving, gonna have a look at hndbrake obviously but if that looks ok what else do i look for ( but surely if it was the hanndbrake wouldnt that be like worn shoe noise
sorry for long reading and bad gramma ( vodka lol ) :doh:
cheers for any reply and suggestions

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I would start with the driveline, propshaft, flanges, flexi coupling at rear. When the prop starts to go dry it starts making a sort of squeeky rattling noise, but if you check closely you should see all the rust and sheet coming out of it. But failing that grease one at a time and see if it goes away, then you know which one to check, need to take the prop off then though.

Gota be careful pulling the handbrake on whilst moving on a disco, if it bites then its goodbuy propshaft.

same problem with mine few years ago oil on the handbrake shoes. But as David say,s you also need to check prop/u/js etc

cheers for quick replys guys, gonna get under her tommorrow (numb fingers am sure) i understand the reason for not pulling handbake on whilst drivng but can the problem not be closer identified by it worsening by pulling the handbrake on ? not really sure what i should be looking for apart from the rust and sh... car just been stolen so disco is my only means of travel so bit wary of driving her case i get stuck somewhere if prop or somet goes....

busterdaboxer said:

cheers for quick replys guys, gonna get under her tommorrow (numb fingers am sure) i understand the reason for not pulling handbake on whilst drivng but can the problem not be closer identified by it worsening by pulling the handbrake on ? not really sure what i should be looking for apart from the rust and sh... car just been stolen so disco is my only means of travel so bit wary of driving her case i get stuck somewhere if prop or somet goes....

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When you pull on the handbrake it loads the driveline like pulling a caravan, the fact you have been towing one makes me think the props gone, when did you last grease them, a trillion years ago?

And remember the bastid rolls off once its lifted so you need to put it at least in diff lock, but a couple of bricks at the wheels is even better.

Bit fokin cold eh, three inches of snow here brrrrrrr.

cheers dave, did grease them bout 6 months ago but the prop end nearest to the handbrake hub aint got a grease nipple,and the one at the rear was that tight it was hard to get grease gun on, rang my local car parts shop today was gonna buy u j's but they say they need measurements (diameter etc ) least if i change them i can rule em out?

busterdaboxer said:

cheers dave, did grease them bout 6 months ago but the prop end nearest to the handbrake hub aint got a grease nipple,and the one at the rear was that tight it was hard to get grease gun on, rang my local car parts shop today was gonna buy u j's but they say they need measurements (diameter etc ) least if i change them i can rule em out?

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No!! the most I would do is take the prop off, mark it so it goes back on the same bits of the flange and stays in line.

With it off grab each joint and firstly have a good look at them, the joint should be sitting square in the cups, sometimes when they collapse they can sit almost welded in at an angle, then look for signs of failure, bits of shavings, rust trails etc.

Then have a feel at how they pivot, now there are little needle rollers in there that sit around each of the cups you can see held in with circlips. Have a feel at how they pivot, they should be smooth with a full movement, you can get a bit of wear where the rollers have kind of left a bit of a groove in the cup and you will feel this.

Next try to rotate the joint as it would be driven, and see if there is any play, do this in both directions and with reasonable force.

If its nice and smooth and no play then why replace them, just grease the joints and stick it back on.

Whilst its off rotate both the flanges on the gearbox and diff to make sure it aint one of them components.

Mechanics is not just about throwing parts at it, and you will both learn and enjoy the process.

thanks mate for info and advice, finish work wed so gonna get stuck in, will let you know how i get on
thanks again mate much appreciated,