New vibration

Dear All,

Please do your best to not beat me up too badly (I have introduced myself, I have posted a very small number of replies on other threads and I have done a search which tells me lots of things but doesn't quite answer my question).

I have a 2002 Defender TD5 with 101k on the clock. I have owned it for nearly three years and have had it serviced by my local independent guy (who is absolutely excellent). He has replaced track rod ends and I have done brakes and about 8 months ago the front UJ went and I had it replaced (OEM, not Britpart, as I wanted it to last). I do about 7k a year, with some light towing.

I've always tended to listen to my cars (rather than the radio) and over the last couple of days a new vibration has come to light, not when accelerating but at that point where you've gone up through the gears and are cruising along (at about 40-50) having just 'backed off' the throttle. I've tried putting her in neutral and cruising and there are no sounds from the wheel bearings and even tried coasting down a hill with the engine off, but nothing making a sound, so do not think it's a wheel bearing.

My only worry is that I have to do a long journey next week (Isle of Wight to Gloucester to London to Hastings to Isle of Wight) and I'm a little concerned this might be either the rear UJ or the propshaft starting to wear. I have limited breakdown recovery but a very tight schedule and am probably worrying too much.

My main question is - when my front UJ went, I was able to carry on by engaging diff-lock and still had drive. Would this technique work if the rear UJ went?

Thanks and apologies for asking stupid questions!

Best,
Phil

yes but ya need to remove the prop completely. Why not park landy on level ground with handbrake off and in neutral. check the props for play. Also check tyres they can be the cause of all sorts of weird noises & vibrations.

yes it would same as front prop

Thanks - reckon I'll risk the journey then. Would love to be able to do more diagnosis but will have to wait until next weekend as I leave house at 5.30 in the morning and don't get back until 8.30 (work in London).

Fingers crossed and thanks for the reassurance, James.

put it on flat ground wedge the wheel and get a bar in the ujs you will soon see if they are worn.
If it lets go whilst you driving it can be messy & expensive & very very scary.

same goes for uj's on props. very messy if they give way while driving. Not trying to scare ya