Heavy duty drive flange for 90 fitment

Hello chaps!

I have never really posted anything before because all you guys here have left such good advice and helpful tips that I have not needed to ask any questions................... until NOW!!!!

I have just bought a pair of heavy duty drive flanges for my g reg 90 and was about to fit them. I took off the drive flange after reading the Scottish chappy's excellent how to bit, and went to fit the heavy duty one. It seemed far to tight to be the right sort, and even after some gentle tapping with a hammer still seemed reluctant to go on. I rang Paddocks and the girl helpfully went to ask the parts people whether this was the right part and she came back to advise me that this does need to be drifted on! Has any one fitted these before? I would like to know if there is a fine line between drifting them on and bashing the living daylights out of them to get them on! I didn't want to start hammering them onto the drive shafts if this is not the correct procedure. Please could you help on this matter?

Many thanks guys!!

Phil Couch
G reg 90

I fitted mine and have no recolection of having to "drift" them on, they slipped on nicely just leaving me to pop a bolt on the end on the driveshaft just to pull it out a little to fit the circlip.
Mind you I had overhauled the axle, complete with new cv joints so the splined drive shafts were new.
Mark.

I've never heard of having to drift them on before but I may be wrong.

It dont sound right to me as the other end of the drive shaft will be transmitting the hammering forces in to the diff or CVs. The only other way is to remove the shaft and belt the flange on then put the whole assembly back.

I take it you've made sure that it has the correct number of splines?

I await being slaughtered if I've given you duff info.

Thank you for that info guys! Do you think I would be better off replacing the drive shafts then? I don't think that this is right either. I hope that other join in and give me their opinion to.

Many thanks guys!!

Phil Couch
G reg 90

Shouldn't be such a tight fit that they require anything more than a firm push to position them over the splines. I fitted the Terrafirma ones to my 90 a year or so ago they went on ok, there wasn't (still isn't) any play in them but they pressed on ok. I fully agree with the comments about the stresses put on other components if you bash them on so don't do it and send them back (after checking you have the correct ones of course).
If you keep them don't forget to lubricate the splines both on assembly and periodically. It amazes me the number of times people post photos showing a drive-flange corroded so badly onto a halfshaft that it has to be cut off, lubrication not only prevents corrosion but also prevents wear and should be part of your regular servicing schedule.

Thank you all for these comments! I am awaiting an email back from Paddock to see what more they are going to tell me.

Many thanks!!

some have to be drifted on but be careful use copper hammer as they can damage easy with std hammer ,the less play in splines the better they are

i had to drift mine on the front of my 90 when new, Last time i had them off they were still a snug fit but went back on with a gentle tap,it is a 300TDI 90.
Also depends if the splines have been cleaned and how much grease you slap on

no its not its down to maching tight ones last longer than loose ones

Tight ones are defenatly better than loose ones, Had some on a few vehicles here that lasted very well, but had to take them off due to the directors fear that heavy duty ones wont fail and cause diff issues, i agree to the logic in that. we do drive 85% off road and through the thickest sand possable, have twisted drive shafts off in the past.

Check to see that the splines are streight and not twisted, that would make them virtually imposable to get on

A few conflicting thoughts here guys! - I have not heard anything back from Paddocks yet, but I have packaged them up ready to return. What is the general thoughts? When I have tried to gently tap them on with a small hammer, they went on about 3-4mm but the splines in the drive member were being gouged, but not uniformly! This is why I think that they are wrong! Are there different types of Heavy Duty drive members?
Is Buster around, I would like to hear his opinion!

Once again everyone, thank you for your input and keep it coming!

Phil
G reg Defender!

i would agree good fit is different to gouging send them back

Well, just to update you all, I have just got back from speaking to my mechanic, Chris at F&R Commercials, they do all the work on my landy that needs proper attention, and his work is first class! He has said that the way the splines are biting into the flange that it's not right and I should send them back! So that's that sorted!!!

Anyone recommend heavy duty flange drives that would fit from anywhere other than Paddocks then?

I tend to favour LRDirect of late

Range of ones to choose from

Land Rover Parts from the Online Land Rover Parts Shop - LRDirect

Like I said in my earlier post the Terrafirma ones are excellent but I have also heard good things about the Bearmach ones (probably the same item in a different box). I was going to get the Bearmach ones myself but then I got the (slightly more expensive) Terrafirma ones on a price-match so went for them.

i've just fitted terrafirma drive flanges to the front of my 91 200tdi they slipped on just nice. the rear ones are so tight i'm not sure how hard i'm supposed to drift them on.. i ended up putting thr old ones back on until i'm brave enough to take a lump hammer to them.... what do you think

i've just fitted terrafirma drive flanges to the front of my 91 200tdi they slipped on just nice. the rear ones are so tight i'm not sure how hard i'm supposed to drift them on.. i ended up putting thr old ones back on until i'm brave enough to take a lump hammer to them.... what do you think

stephencdavies said:

i've just fitted terrafirma drive flanges to the front of my 91 200tdi they slipped on just nice. the rear ones are so tight i'm not sure how hard i'm supposed to drift them on.. i ended up putting thr old ones back on until i'm brave enough to take a lump hammer to them.... what do you think

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As James mentioned earlier in the thread, use a copper hammer so as not to damage them.
Guess lump hammer a piece of wood would work if needs must.

The splines on your old shaft need to be super clean,the slightest bit of crud can start them gouging. Give them a clean with some rag and some petrol, potentially a fine wire brush to get all the little bits out.

If you must just get another half shaft. I got my last salisbury one for £15 delivered brand new!

I've got the ashcrft ones a while back and they went on fine. Are these terrafirma/bearmach ones as good? I'm looking for some for the front.