Loss of drive

Hi guys looking for some help, advice.....
1999 300tdi 110 130,000miles r380 gearbox.
Driving today on the road and all of a sudden lost all drive.
I now only have drive in diff lock.
In high ratio and in gear, front prop turns noisily.
I removed the front two plastic caps from the hub and whilst turning the prop shaft by hand only the front left halfshaft is turning in the flange! Does that suggest that the one not turning has snapped ?.
Thanks

gareth howell said:

I removed the front two plastic caps from the hub and whilst turning the prop shaft by hand only the front left halfshaft is turning in the flange! Does that suggest that the one not turning has snapped ?.

Click to expand...

I assume during this test, you had the front axle on stands?

Cheers

No I didn't have it on stands, should I have ? Need to excuse I'm not hugely mechanically gifted

OK,

The one that was turning in the flange, Front LH, Are you saying it was not turning the wheel?

Cheers

Hi Neilly, I have the feeling my "test" may have been completely pointless/wrong
All I done was with the vehicle stationary, turned the front prop shaft manually and looked at the halfshaft ends,
Would you suggest this as a test to find out what's gone ?
Thanks

Hi @gareth howell ,

If you had all the wheels on the ground, transmission brake off NOT in diff lock. Wheels chocked.

Then turn the front prop. It sounds like from your description that the front LH drive is turning in the wheel flange BUT the wheel is not turning.
As the drive shaft ( visible in the ctr of the wheel) should not be able to turn if the wheel is not rotating.

I would hazard a guess your drive flange is stripped on that side, Front LH.

Cheers

Ok thanks, that's exactly what's happening!
Your help is much appreciated
Will it be ok to drive in diff lock to somewhere that can fix it ?
Thanks Gareth

Personally,

I would not like to drive it as it has damage and needs to be looked at in more detail.

You may well cause more damage trying to drive it as it is.

Cheers

@gareth howell ,

Any chance you can post a picture on here to look at? Or a video to youtube and link it here.

Cheers

If its just the flange I can do that myself looking at how it's done.
I'll have a look tomorrow in the light to see if it's just the flange that's stripped now I understand it a little more, I'll also take some pictures/video too
Thanks

If you do need to drive it at least remove the front prop shaft and put it in diff lock, I would avoid driving it with the prop in place. You'll need to remove the drive flange to see if the half shaft is goosed or the drive flange
It would be interesting to know what's caused it to happen though

It is not a difficult fix. If it is just the flange. None of it is really difficult , just make sure you have the parts and it is jacked securely.

Do you have the workshop manual?

Cheers

Yeh the flange is pretty straight forward, I do have the LR workshop manual yes
Ta

If it's the half shaft you might as well replace the hub and swivel bearings whilst you've got it in pieces

Also , "if" it is the drive flange, Double check if the half shaft teeth are badly worn.

Maybe, that you are looking at a tired driveline and it needs a bit of TLC.

Good luck.

Cheers

Many thanks I'll let you know how I get on

So took the drive flange off today and all the teeth are rounded. The half shaft isn't looking it's best either although when I slip the new flange on it's pretty snug and no play.
Thinking I should replace half shaft as well ! How do you remove the half shaft? With the flange removed is it just a case of it sliding straight out ?
Thanks

So think I've found all the answers thro searching the archives.... maybe there's someone local that fancies replacing them for a few extra quid !! West Glasgow area ?..

From the colour of the grease in your picture I'd just rebuild the hub and swivel while you're at it. Not a hard job if you're methodical, I did both of mine a couple of weekends ago. I'd give you a chuck if you were closer but it's the best part of six hours to Glasgow from here

Thanks Marmaduke, I've just looked up the "hub kit" if I'm changing my half shafts is there anything else I will need to order ?