Hello and is there a centre diff lock guru out there

Hi to all the subscribers of Landyzone. From what I've seen and read, you all seen to be pretty switched on and keen on your rigs and the whole 4 x 4 scene.

Its not hard to understand this enthusiasm you all share, as I have recently joined the ranks by purchasing a well used 1996 Discovery to explore more of the countryside, which I recently did, however upon returning to base from my little off road jaunt it appears as though the centre diff lock is permanently engaged during off and on road driving conditions.

Has anyone else experienced this occurence and if so what needed attention to rectify this problem....Rgds

Are you sure the difflock is actually engaged and that it's not just the light that has stayed on? Driving on surfaces with good traction (tarmac etc etc) will cause transmission wind up and eventually either a half shaft or the centre diff will be damaged. It also causes handling problems when going round corners as the wheels need to be able to turn at different speeds to allow the outside wheels to turn faster than the inner wheels.

Hi Redhand

Yes, I'm sure that the CDL seems to be engaged (and not just the light although it is not illuminated on the dashboard) as I experience juttering and axle wind up when driving the short distance I had too,when returning from an off road trip. This condition was exacerbated when turning either left or right.

I have now positively established this by jacking up vehicle and ensuring both the front and rear tyres on the drivers side are clear of the ground and then spinning the front wheel by hand only to observe that the rear tyre is turning in the same direction. I have gone underneath vehicle to confirm this by turning both front and rear propshafts by hand to determine if they independently turn, but to no avail. both propshafts are locked and turn in unison in the same direction as each other, in any gear.

Yep it's jammed up try reversing up 30 or 40 yards. This sometimes helps also check the linkages to ensure they haven't come adrift

My old disco used to do that sometimes. A bit of sharp reversing usually sorted it out.

I had a friends disco do this once, reversing wouldn't shift it. Eventually got it freed off by just raising one front wheel clear of the road and trying to rotate back and forward. After a bit of messing it finally dropped out so the wheel would rotate. Just make sure the g/box is in neutral or you'll be there til hell freezes over

Hi and thanks for all your input so far, Ive tried the reversing thing but did it not sort the problem out.

It feels like it needs to be pulled apart and sorted so that this problem doesnt reoccur whenever I decide to go offroad.

I would like to get to the crux of the problem, so if anyone has experience in pulling the CDL apart, identifying the problem and repair / replace fault and reassemble, I would appreciate their feedback.

So far I have drained tx case oil, and removed inspection plate for clues. Everything within the transfer case seems fine as I have had my assistant (wife) operate the Hi / Lo lever through the respective positions whilst observing from underneath the dog gear engaging high and low ranges. Satisfied with the operation of the TX case I have gone onto remove the centre console and drilled out the rubber boot which houses the Hi / Lo lever and peered down at the lever and mechanisms which operate the CDL.

These levers appear to function as they should, so I am assuming the problem lies within the CDL which is reluctant to disengage direct drive. Tommorow morning I will have a go at removing the three bolts and centre lever arm and remove the CDL for further inspection, Is there anything I should be looking out for ??