Eventful evening

Hey guys,

Last night on the drive back from the pub my defender decided that it didnt like its front prop shaft and destroyed the uj cups. The propshaft then tore loose and hit thw floor below my feet. Damn thats a scarey feeling thankfully we were only doing 30.

10 mins later we had the prop off and in the back and driving home with the diff locked so all ok.

This has lead to a couple of questions.

1. What uj can i replace this with? Can i put a HD uj on or does that only fit the HD prop shafts.

2. And it turns out that my hazard lights are not working. All my indicator lights work but not when i flick the hazard switch. Are there some common faults or things i can check?

My landy is a 1989 defender 110. Thanks

Lawrence

My hazard lights packed up recently. I had to change the switch. Not expensive, think I paid about a tenner. Don't know the answer to your HD uj question. I have a Salisbury axle on the front which has a HD prop.The
HD one looks much bigger and stronger. I wouldn't think they fit a standard prop.

For normal road use you shouldn't really need to fit HD UJ's, yours may have failed due to general wear and tear or lack of regular greasing (or a combination of both). Had it been clunking before it failed?

Any of the new cheap props will be fine, just grease them a couple of times a year or after every time off road and they literally will last a lifetime.

Something had been rattling for a couple of days. I had no idea it was the uj until this. Thanks for your help guys i will get the standard uj and get back to 4wd.

Lawrence

GKN are a good brand for UJs. You were lucky, I've heard of horror stories about props dropping down and pole-vaulting the vehicle off it's wheels (no idea if they're true or not!).

Yep. I had heard the same stories. Somehow the prop got stuck between the rest of the sheared uj on the transfer box and the chassis. It put a hell of a dent in the floor plate.

Thanks for the info. I will be getting GKN and a grease gun to keep the lubed.

Lawrence

Silly comment for you ... When you get them make sure they have grease nipples!!

Larry's Landy said:

Hey guys,

Last night on the drive back from the pub my defender decided that it didnt like its front prop shaft and destroyed the uj cups. The propshaft then tore loose and hit thw floor below my feet. Damn thats a scarey feeling thankfully we were only doing 30.

10 mins later we had the prop off and in the back and driving home with the diff locked so all ok.

This has lead to a couple of questions.

1. What uj can i replace this with? Can i put a HD uj on or does that only fit the HD prop shafts.

2. And it turns out that my hazard lights are not working. All my indicator lights work but not when i flick the hazard switch. Are there some common faults or things i can check?

My landy is a 1989 defender 110. Thanks

Lawrence

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All to do with lack of attention and poor maintenance, I am afraid. Maybe a bit less time in the pub, bit more under yer motor.

Those have to be really hanging, and not greased for ages before you will get a problem.

You dont need HD, just grease the normal ones regular, it will last for ever. Dont forget sliding joints.

And your motor is a 110, not a Defender.

Cheers good to know. I have only owned it for a month. I'm trying to get all the jobs done that the previous owner missed.

Last week was split fuel return lines and loose injectors. Looks like this week is the driveline. I'm sure next week will be something else.

Is there a difference between a 110 and a defender other than age?

Lawrence

110's are betterer! Actually they are, thicker chassis, slightly better build etc. Less common which is nice [if you like that sort of thing] But still constant work..................................

Larry's Landy said:

Cheers good to know. I have only owned it for a month. I'm trying to get all the jobs done that the previous owner missed.

Last week was split fuel return lines and loose injectors. Looks like this week is the driveline. I'm sure next week will be something else.

Is there a difference between a 110 and a defender other than age?

Lawrence

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Like he says^^^^^^^^, there are some detail differences, but the main difference is the engines. Defenders started about 1990 and had 200Tdi engines. They are also badged Defender, although some Ninety/one Ten have been rebadged, so not a good guide.

Those UJs never fail if greased, I have 12 on the farm ATM, 8 on landrovers, 4 on PTO shafts. They usually give plenty of warning, ticking, knocking, vibration. And if you get under, and wiggle with your hand, or a small bar, there will be play in the UJ, it will also appear dry.

Sorry I was maybe curt earlier, if the vehicle is new to you, you may not have known about it, landrovers need more servicing than modern vehicles.

Bearing in mind what yu say, when you do get under it, have a look at the brake linings, brake flexis, and a pry at the TREs and steering components maybe a good idea

Not a problem. Like i said i'm going round fixing everything i can and generally getting it to a good state of repair/servicing.

I have ordered 4 new ujs and will be replacing all of them to get to a point where i know the parts. I think the previous guy was a bit of a bodger.

Thanks for the tip about the brake linings and flexis, but what are TREs. I'm getting used to the servicing my garage must look like a land rover parts store.

Lawrence

Larry's Landy said:

Not a problem. Like i said i'm going round fixing everything i can and generally getting it to a good state of repair/servicing.

I have ordered 4 new ujs and will be replacing all of them to get to a point where i know the parts. I think the previous guy was a bit of a bodger.

Thanks for the tip about the brake linings and flexis, but what are TREs. I'm getting used to the servicing my garage must look like a land rover parts store.

Lawrence

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Track rod ends, little flexible joints in the steering linkage.

Ah ok. Added to the list of things to check this weekend.

Thanks for your help.

Lawrence

Add checking the levels for:
Main and transfer boxes.
Engine (probably done that already)
Brake & clutch master cylinders
Both axle diifs
The swivel bearings (could be oil or grease depending on type of axle.
Engine coolant (also check concentration if you can as it is getting cold now)
Would be good to change them all for a fresh start, but main concern is to actually check levels are correct in first instance and change them at a rate you can plan for.
Probably most important part is the cambelt / tensioner as failure can cause additional damage, if you cant confirm 100% that it has been changed in last 5 years / 70K miles (whichever is soonest) then I would go for that as the priority.

Thats really helpful, thanks for that. I will break out the Haynes manual and get the above checked/replaced as a priority.

Lawrence

Many years ago the works van I was driving had the prop come apart, rear wheel drive and came off at the gearbox end. Van fully loaded up with 4 of us in it (2 sat on the tools in the back !!) all I can say is that it was bloody exciting for a few seconds, leaping about all over the place. Had to go to the pub to recover (and use the phone - pre mobile days)

Larry's Landy said:

Thats really helpful, thanks for that. I will break out the Haynes manual and get the above checked/replaced as a priority.

Lawrence

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Haynes are ok, much better than nothing.

But if you are serious about maintaining and repairing your own landrover, I would get a genuine manual. I think they can be downloaded of the innernet, but as a dinosaur with a very poor connection, I like these,

http://brooklandsbooks.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=12_77_551&product_id=383