I think i broke my disco!

Hello all.
Where to start… I have had a clunking sound when taking up drive for a few months along with a whine from the gear box between 40 and 55.
I also noticed a strong vibration when going from 28 to 30 in fourth… It gets worse.
While on a long drive today I noticed when I pulled away there was a new vibration that came in as I accelerated through all the gears.
I managed to get it home and got under her, There is play in the front prop that I understand is normal . But the distinctive clunk can be heard when you turn it hard in the transfer box and also where the prop goes into the front axel.
I also noticed tonight when doing a three point turn at low speed there seemed to be a grinding resistance as I moved with the wheel turned.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Mick

there should be no play in the propshaft that is achievable by hand, i would say you need to replace your universal joints

have you checked your uj's nd a-frame ball joint

I can twist the front prop by hand about half an inch each way, I thought that was normal.

you will have some play in the diff and transfer case, look at the flanges on the ends of the prop when you turn it, how far will it turn before it moves the flanges? also will the prop move up and down? what part of london are you in? i'm in essex so if worst comes to worst i will have a look at it if you meet me half way

I am going under for a good look in the morning, as far as i could see today it was only the twisting motion, but i will report back tomorrow, Damm it went wrong in essex today lol, I will get back to you and thanks alot for the offer of help.

Revi said:

I am going under for a good look in the morning, as far as i could see today it was only the twisting motion, but i will report back tomorrow, Damm it went wrong in essex today lol, I will get back to you and thanks alot for the offer of help.

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Change both props ASAP. My front one broke at only 20mph and dam near came straight through the newly welded in 3mm floorpan. Honestly mate, a flailing prop will cut through a floorpan like a hot knife through butter.

You will feel for all of about 10 seconds tops like all your wheels are square. This will happen just seconds before it snaps. I've heard of cars rolling when props have failed at motorway speeds before, so get them both chaged pronto.

Knowing what I know now, i wouldn't even take mine off the driveway in that sort of condition. I'm sure that there will be others who will quickly reply that I am talking bollocks, but I've got the humped and dented floorpan to add weight to my point of view.

G-man said:

there should be no play in the propshaft that is achievable by hand, i would say you need to replace your universal joints

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If the play is in his UJ's - it could be diff and or transfer backlash which would also give him clunk clunk clunk.

Hi all
I have been under there all day, I have had the prop off and it seems fine,I drove it with the prop off for about ten meters and the clunk was louder when i lifted off the clutch, and seemed to be coming from the main gear box housing, I did notice that the transfer gear stick was also very crunchy and moved a lot when the car was in motion, So it looks like the gear box or transfer box is on its way out, its going in on monday for an inspection.

I reckon its the Gearbox to Transfer box Drive gear. Easy job to replace and fairly cheap. Make sure you get the one with the same number of teeth, otherwise it screws up in about a day. Make sure yu get one with the cross drilled shaft too.

Ashcroft do em for £45

Get one with the longer splines (most cross drilled ones are) the shaft also wears, so replacing the gear only solves half the problem, if you get one with longer splines it sits over part of the shaft that was previously not in contact with the gear. This way you get fixed 100%.

Check the gearbox oil levels

Bad news , the gearbox bearings are gone and both differential's have to be replaced, and to add insult to injury, the front calipers are worn and need to be replaced.
I better go do some over time lol, The joys of a disco...

Thanks for the advice gents.

Revi said:

Bad news , the gearbox bearings are gone and both differential's have to be replaced, and to add insult to injury, the front calipers are worn and need to be replaced.
I better go do some over time lol, The joys of a disco...

Thanks for the advice gents.

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Get used to it. If other landies are anything like mine, then they are all a bit 'Triggers broom'.