P38 Front prop

Now, I'm new to the LR scene having owned my P38 since April and during the time it's given me a fair amount of grief, most of which I won't drag up again...However, during it's latest episode where it has needed a new rad/thermostat/coolant, I noticed the garage hasn't nipped up the bottom hose to the water pump and there is a trickle of coolant. Not a big deal, and the garage will have to correct it before my 450 mile journey home from up here on the Isle of Skye.
But, back to the main thing troubling me is a large gap where I think the front prop should be:

There are no error messages on the dash and I'm sure it has been there at some point as the joints look clean and not rusty.
The only work that has been done recently is new front air suspension bags and of course all the cooling system work, would either of these required the removal of the prop?
As always, help and advice always welcome.

yep, defo missing.

looking at the drive flange it looks like its only just gone walkabout too ! the garage probably had a customer for it ! lol

The bolts are there too but not secured with nuts which could be a problem

reckon someone removed it to hide a diff or transfer box problem.

Treworgey 90 said:

reckon someone removed it to hide a diff or transfer box problem.

Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^
What he said!!!
Thats why my p38 had no prop when i bought it.....diff replacement sometime very soon!:doh:

I've finally got a 2nd hand prop and bolts but before I fit it, how do you diagnose:
a) front diff problem
b) transfer box problem

What will I be looking/hearing for?

With the front prop in place, if you jack one front wheel off the ground, you should just about be able to turn the wheel, it will be very stiff. If it will not turn at all, it's probably the viscous coupling gone which if left will shag the diff. Of course if it turns easily maybe the diff is bust. Don't know enough to comment further.

Cheers fella, I'll give that a whirl and post what I find. Thanks again!

Thanks for the replies and for the advice.
Being new to 4x4's I'm still wary about what I do when it comes to mechanical tinkering so let my local (trusted) garage fit the prop. They seem to think all was well and a road test did not highlight any issues.
However, when I',m driving it a low speeds such as turning into my road or reversing onto the drive, it feels like the car is 'fighting' against the steering input and quite jerky.

It has only come to light since the front prop was fitted, but I can't decide if this is normal and simply a behaviour of the 4wd or if there is something wrong.

To describe it better:
If on full steering lock I drive forward or reverse it feels like I am on a rutted surface and not the smooth tarmac that I am on.

I vaguely recall reading that these are symptoms of a seized viscous coupling (which might explain why the prop was removed in the first place).

Guy

Sounds like you have a viscous coupling problem (inside the transferre box). The missing prop shaft is the clue as its something to do so as to keep driving although in two wheel drive only. If you recently bought the car I would be pretty mad with the previous owner and want the prop shaft and compensation for the deception) With the prop on and if you do have a seized viscous coupling the car will screel on hard cornering, visibly snatch on gravel and on tarmac which gives a lot of grip your tyres (especially the rears) will start to suffer. Check the tread on the tyres to see if they are smooth or other.

BigJC said:

Thanks for the replies and for the advice.
Being new to 4x4's I'm still wary about what I do when it comes to mechanical tinkering so let my local (trusted) garage fit the prop. They seem to think all was well and a road test did not highlight any issues.
However, when I',m driving it a low speeds such as turning into my road or reversing onto the drive, it feels like the car is 'fighting' against the steering input and quite jerky.

It has only come to light since the front prop was fitted, but I can't decide if this is normal and simply a behaviour of the 4wd or if there is something wrong.

To describe it better:
If on full steering lock I drive forward or reverse it feels like I am on a rutted surface and not the smooth tarmac that I am on.

Click to expand...

Viscous coupling has siezed:doh::doh::doh: