Just bought a S3 - Broken it within 24hr of ownership

Hello all, bought me a 1972 Series 3 at the weekend Only gone and broken it already :doh:

This is a bit of an opener really, not sure if this is the correct section - you may have a newbie area where i should really go first but i'm going to roll my hello into a cry for help at the same time.

Picked the old girl up from Lutterworth on Sunday afternoon, drove back home (Rossendale) without a hitch, the 3.5 V8 runs sweet as a nut and with it being gas is very cheap. The steering - WOW, never have i been so scared in all my life, i love it completely its magical! Its like fighting with python and is very rewarding when you manage to get it around a corner without heading for the bushes or the traffic coming towards you. I'm sure i'll get the hang of it but wouldn't mind trying to improve the feel of it somehow so will have a look around for possible fixes.

So, the drive home went fine - the half mile drive back to my house didn't and as i was pulling out from a junction i was welcomed not with the whine of the transfer box/ gearbox and lovely V8 grumble but a massive loud BANG followed by loss of drive...that'll be a half shaft then. Arse!

So, got that to fix along with the two UJs in the front prop. The front prop was off when i picked her up and running in 2WD this wasn't a problem, of course as it was motorway all the way but that all changed with the half shaft went so had to fit that on the roadside so i could limp home (no AA cover!!!)

So, jobs to do as follows;

-Fit new front prob UJs
-Fit new half shaft (guessing its the OS one)
-Fit new window channels / poss new door tops - maybe go the hole hog with new glass.
-New rear door
-Drainpipe Snorkel kit
-Tidy wiring and general clean up
-New flooring material for cabin
-Paint load area
-Paint outside
-Modular wheels with some good tyres
-Maybe fit a different roof and cab...

(that’s a very general list of things to do but i'm sure a few more half shafts will be thrown into the fix - hopefully nothing more serious that that!)

To fit the new half shaft i think the below list of required parts is correct but i'm unsure how much oil i need.
2x Flange Gaskets
1x Diff Gasket
1x Half shaft
EP80/90 Oil (not sure how much)
Possibly some washers, thread lock, nuts and bolts.

Is it wise to use a gasket sealer as well as the paper gasket, will this stop it leaking / leaking more than usual? Any hints and tips would be great. If only x-eng were able to supply the special magnet tools still! Sure would save a lot of fecking about. I think i may be able to bodge a magnet onto the end of broom handle so will try that first i think.

Is replacing the UJs a difficult job, been told to get a garage to do it but it looks pretty easy to me...

Last but by no means least - where’s best for parts and does anyone know of any companies based around the Lancashire areabto save me some money on delivery charges.


I want to get it fixed before the weekend so i can go and enjoy using her, no idea where to go or where i'm allowed to go tbh so will have to research this as well. Can't wait to explore!!

Apologies for the length of this first post - just so excited by it all. You've a fantastic site and i'll enjoy having a laugh at my own expense with you lot.

Sense of humour is deffo required. Both for the site and Landy ownership...

:nothingtoadd:

Don't worry about the wobbly steering- they're all like that Just bask in the successful arrival after every trip without crashing. Modern motoring isn't a patch on this stuff. U/J's are straightforward- if you're not sure how to do it, it's all in the Haines. There's no special press tools- just a decent vice. Halfshaft, again straightforward. Gasket goo is recommended in the vain hope it won't leak. Make sure you get all the broken bits out, obviously. They really are a nuts 'an bolts vehicle- you'll love it. There isn't anything you can't fix- or indeed you won't have to.... I guess you have a Rover back axle on that one? Might like to think about upgrading to a Salisbury- given that it's a V8 an all.....much stronger. Enjoy!

DUDE! Stock up on as much EP90 as you cant, it ****ing stinks to high heaven, but get used to it. Its not as bad once its cooked.

Thanks for your words of warning, It sounds like it'll be a perfect marridge. I'm going to time how long the first shaft change takes then try and better it each time! should be good for a laugh.

So, sod it I'll get a couple of UJs while I'm at it and have a crack at it - I've got a couple of big record vice on my workbench so shouldn't have too much of a problem.
80/90 oil - is that the red gearbox oil? If so then I know the smell very well it ****ing stinks.

Im trying to find some 10 spline shafts but not sure where to buy - who's best when it comes to getting bits for a series 3? I'm running with the rover diffs and think I need 10 spline jobbies.

How much damage can I do driving the landy around in high range 4x4 with a snapped shaft and what damage would it do to the transfer box etc? I'm just wondering if it's drivable down to my workshop 12 miles away or if i need to bring the tools to the landy at my home/pub carpark (seen as I don't have a driveway)

ep 90 cant mistake it smells like cat ****

Unfortunately it is a tad embarassing following cats around and smelling their ****, just to confirm what ep90 smells like

true but if i said it smells like fish you would soon know with out been told where to smell.

brnocz said:

true but if i said it smells like fish you would soon know with out been told where to smell.

Click to expand...

Sirus' shop?

The Mad Hat Man said:

Unfortunately it is a tad embarassing following cats around and smelling their ****, just to confirm what ep90 smells like

Click to expand...

A man of experience?

fanatic said:

A man of experience?

Click to expand...

oops .

Replace both half shafts - I had one snap, replaced it and snapped the other one about 500 miles later. My local landy mechanic reckoned that they are designed to absorb some of the shock of drive take up and fatigue at the diff end so should be replaced every 60 to 100 thou miles as a matter of course - and replaced as pairs.

That might explain why my cat rubs against the landie!

Ohh yes that sweet aroma of hormonal male cat **** - thanks for the reminder!

Well I've just ordered the new UJs, bolts and rubber boot for the yoke (£8 shipping was a **** take - hope they are the correct sized ones)

Tried to order all the shaft parts but I can't find the flange gaskets on the site (landroverspares) so that's a ****er!!

How much damage can I do driving the landy around in high range 4x4 with a snapped shaft and what damage would it do to the transfer box etc? I'm just wondering if it's drivable down to my workshop 12 miles away or if i need to bring the tools to the landy at my home/pub carpark (seen as I don't have a driveway)

Click to expand...

I drove one around for 3 weeks like that once.... It'll stand it. Would be worth checking the cat's **** levels in the front hubs (if they're not already full of grease that someone else put in there by now).
To explain:
You'll find that most of the oil in this location ends up dribbling out of the hubs onto the ground - as it does from other places. This too is normal unless you want to change the seals..which will last all of two weeks.
Some folk get around it by stuffing the hubs full of CV grease. This tends to stay in there.

The magnet on a stick is a quick fix job. You want to tear into the diff and clean it out thoroughly after a half shaft snap, cos the 'sploded bits will knacker the rest of the gears

The front hubs are brand new and don't leak, I think these must have been changed when the swivels were done so I'm going to leave these well alone for now (if it ain't broke don't fix it and all that)

I take your point on the magnet stick idea - tbh I'd want to make sure and bits are removed for pease of mind - just need to get on and order them now! Where's best?

I'm just after buying a Series 3 myself, had her a week now and I love it. Like everyone says the steering is terrifying at 1st but it just makes it even more enjoyable once you've got used to it.

Only problem I've come across so far is a leaking hub, I'll have to see if I can fix that with some grease then lol

Oh aye and my overdrive makes a horrible whining noise and clicks constantly, my brother in law says it's nothing to worry about, his Series 3 does that in every gear!!