New to forum and in need of help......

[SJ2020]

Afternoon all,

I have a 2014 Discovery 4 HSE with 80k on clock which has suddenly developed an intermittant vibration issue - seem to get front end/steering wheel vibration anywhere between 40 - 60 mph... but not all the time..

Have replaced brakes on all 4 corners, along with set of new Goodyear Duratec tyres only last week - all balanced and seem to be fine. One worrying thing is the gear changes seem to be a bit slower and also hangs onto gears longer (unless this is just me being paranoid..)

It feels like possible bearing failure/drive train/propshaft/drive shaft - all these are maybes, and was wondering if anyone has experienced similar problem

Love the car to bits, and really hope someone can point me in right direction so can repair

Any comments would be most welcome before I visit main dealer..

 

[tilly2]

CV joints ? Is the vibration engine speed related, or road speed related ?

 

[SJ2020]

It seems to be more road speed related - but this said, I cant be totally sure as it seems to be very random in terms of when it occurs and under what conditions. It does seem to do it when on over-run (not accelerating) - but not every/all the time!

Any ideas?

 

[Western Slope Rover]

Vibration on over-run can be a sign of a bad U-joint.

 

[SJ2020]

Vibration on over-run can be a sign of a bad U-joint.

So possibly prop shaft?

do the half shafts have U-joints or just CV joint at each end?

 

[Lazydave]

Check propshaft centre mount. Common failure point.

 

[Western Slope Rover]

So possibly prop shaft?

do the half shafts have U-joints or just CV joint at each end?

I don't know for sure. I drive an RRC. I would assume a CV joint, though.

 

[Nodge68]

So possibly prop shaft?

Definitely check the propshaft centre support bearing, as the rubber bearing support falls apart, normally before 100k miles.

The only real cure is a replacement propshaft.

 

[SJ2020]

Definitely check the propshaft centre support bearing, as the rubber bearing support falls apart, normally before 100k miles.

The only real cure is a replacement propshaft.

Am guessing that if failed it will be pretty evident, with movement around the bearing/rubber housing area?

Also, if I replace, is this a fairly straightforward job I can do myself? (i.e no special LR tools required etc)

 

[Nodge68]

Am guessing that if failed it will be pretty evident, with movement around the bearing/rubber housing area?

Unfortunately there is a heat shield in the vicinity of the centre support, which needs removing to see the support bearing clearly. If is obvious when it's failed, as the propshaft can be moved about when moved up and down under hand pressure. Basically the bearing will slop about in the worn out rubber mount.

Also, if I replace, is this a fairly straightforward job I can do myself? (i.e no special LR tools required etc)

No LR tools are needed, but you will need a set of E Torx sockets (I can't remember the sizes) for the bolts. A cheap set can be bought for under £10 from Amazon/Ebay, which will do the trick.

The prop itself isn't that heavy, but can be expensive if bought from LR. I got GKN (probably OE) prop from Island 4X4 a few years ago, which I'm sure cost about £240 at the time, which I thought was a pretty good price considering.

 

[SJ2020]

Thats really helpful info - very appreciated!

am ok with the torx bits, as for replacement prop, have seen a few options - one from lrparts at about £200 with the VAT

Will remove heat shield later and have a look...

 

[Nodge68]

am ok with the torx bits, as for replacement prop, have seen a few options - one from lrparts at about £200 with the VAT

That's a good price, but try to get a GKN if you can.

Will remove heat shield later and have a look...

Be careful, as they seem to fall apart around the fixings, if handled too roughly.

 

[SJ2020]

To all that have replied to my plight - particularly Nodge68, upon review of said rear prop shaft, it is quite clear that the centre rubber bearing housing has not only left the building, but apparently has indeed left the universe.....
the rubber housing is non existent, and prop is left wandering around with 20mm of play in all directions - hence the intermittent vibrations that have been occurring (presumably at times when the rotational speed allowed the prop to resonate)

Thanks to you all for the honest and specific information that has allowed me to locate the root cause of this issue, which has no doubt saved me several hundreds of pounds not having to visit a main dealer.

I am ordering a new prop (complete) with haste, and plan to install as soon as it arrives - I will further take the advice and endeavour to source a GKN manufactured part

I am so pleased I joined this forum, and I will update once new prop fitted and (hopefully) problem has been resolved

(just so I know - what is the comment re the prop falling apart if handled too roughly? - is this a specific issue re the U-joint at the fwd end of shaft?)

 

[Nodge68]

(just so I know - what is the comment re the prop falling apart if handled too roughly

Not the prop, but the heat shield. They go brittle and fall apart around the fixing points.

 

[Stanleysteamer]

Funnily this also used to be a problem with Ford Cortina mk3/4/5.
Some things don't change!

 

[SJ2020]

Not the prop, but the heat shield. They go brittle and fall apart around the fixing points.

Ah, I see - sorry, replied before reading what your comment was referring to, will take care removing heat shield when fitting new prop (didn’t remove to view centre bearing housing as could see between body floor and heat shield, and failed housing was visible)
Thanks for clarifying!