Series 3 how often does your rear transfer axel (shaft) brakes or twists?

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85Santana3

85Santana3

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Hello
I don't know if this is only me or everybody has the same problem the rear shafts on my truck keeps on breaking or twisting practically every two months. The shop says these are land rover's fuses. They are supposed to brake. This sounds like a load of nonsense to me. How often do you have to change yours?
thanks in advance
PS. Please add what kind of usage you typically do otherwise comparison won't be possible.
 

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When I ran series Land Rovers I only broke one in 40 years. All the ones after breaking the first I put in the lathe and undercut a groove at the hub end to make replacing easier but never had to do it. Are you oversize on tyres ? That and heavy throttle foot can be the problem.
 
divie said:
When I ran series Land Rovers I only broke one in 40 years. All the ones after breaking the first I put in the lathe and undercut a groove at the hub end to make replacing easier but never had to do it. Are you oversize on tyres ? That and heavy throttle foot can be the problem.
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You broke one in 40 years!!! Please mail that to me. I need something suitable to hit my supplier in the head!

No I do not have oversize tyres and engine is the same as everybody else's. Maybe as both of you mentioned I am heavy footed (if that is a word).
 
Is yours a 88" or 109"?

I believe early 109s had rover axles but were changed to Salisbury axles due to this problem. Less of an issue with 88" models but you do read of a few that break. Let's not forget that modern tyres are grippier than old cross plies too which all adds to the strain on the shafts.
 
I would check to make sure your diff isn't somehow locked, these shafts normally fail from fatigue cracking, sounds like yours are being overloaded. Do you have a picture of the failure / fracture surface.
 
had my 3 10 years nearly, never had to replace one, had to replace the diff though earlier this year or at the end of last I can't remember now
 
Have bust 3 in 45 years two of them on off road trials where trucks are worked hard at times. Done diffs in every which way you can I recon.
Check axle tube is straight. Which end do they let go at ? Had one twist up like a candy stick once but it takes a lot of stress to do that.
 
Can they be over stressed in a MOT test pulling handbrake on and driving each rear wheel, I had one snap about 2 weeks after just pullling out of junction, since then I warn MOT man
 
Thanks for your replies.
I was changing the rear diff 2 days ago and saw the twisted shaft. The diff ratio in the back is 47-10. The mechanics could not figure out what was in the front (not written anywhere and they said it is a full day's work to take it out). So they went with same ratio as the old diff.
In every case (4 since 5 years ago) both end where you see long groves at the end it twists pretty seriously at about 4 cm from the tip. In one case it even broke completely (although not the end much closer to the 2/5 of the length).

Is 47-10 correct gear ratio for rear diff?
Is there any way to find the ratio of front without taking the front diff out?

After all that expense I might have the wrong diff in the back!
 
Your garage is correct in that the half shafts are designed to be the weak link. It's easier to change a half shaft than a diff, especially in a field. They shouldn't break very often though if the vehicle is driven normally. My 109 station wagon is driven as fast as it will go where speed limits allow and I'm no slouch taking off from traffic lights, everyone sees a battered old landy and thinks they can get past it. It is 42 years old and there is no record of it ever having a half shaft changed, certainly not in my ownership. Mine has the Sailsbury rear axle though.

Col
 
85Santana3 said:
Is 47-10 correct gear ratio for rear diff?
Is there any way to find the ratio of front without taking the front diff out?
Click to expand...

4.7:1 is normal, when I refurbed my front axle a couple of years ago I believe the teeth number is stamped on the casing at top where it meets axle , rear should be stamped too , I might have a pic but away from home next couple of days
It might be Ashcroft do HD ones
Perhaps remove front prop for a few months to eliminate that possible cause and then inspect later for twisting
 
I think You can also check by turning wheels and counting prop turns by jacking one wheel up or turning prop 4.7 turns and wheel should go once , disconnect prop and turn flange
 
Some possible series ratios:

  • Stock Series differential ratio - 4.7:1
  • Stock coiler differential ratio - 3.54:1
  • Common aftermarket differential ratios for the Rover differential carrier - 4.1:1 and 4.75:1
Above info from expedition land rover
To be more accurate turn wheel 10 times then diff should turn either 47, 35.4, 41 or 47.5 times , two sets of eyes might be better
 
jamesmartin said:
interchangeable front and rear,
if diffs are in the case if you lock one wheel hub so only one can turn if it takes less than 2 turns of flange to get wheel hub to turn once its 3.54 if more its 4.7 ie 2.3 times
if diffs are out just count pinion teeth 10 is 4.7 ,13 is 3.54
Click to expand...
 
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