Play In Output Shaft

Hi all, here's a good one for ya!

There is a fair amount of play in the front output shaft of my transfer box. The propshaft UJ is fine and the flange bearing has been replaced.

When the propshaft is off there is no play but when the propshaft is on it is leavering slightly off the flange bearing, so the play must be coming from the other end of the output shaft.

I was wondering if anyone has had this problem? Was it the taper roller bearing or worn splines in the centre diff? Any help would be mega!! I'm not in a major panic or rush but I hope that someone can shed some light.

Try checking the end play.

I'll have a quick check. Although I Know where the play is steming from. I think I'll take the shim out, measure it and try the next size or two up as they go from 2mm to 3.25mm in .05 increments. I have no other accurate way of measuring in situ, the amount of play.

Thanks for the reply, Bonnybaggot!!

Yup indeedy I have the same problem.

I replaced the output shaft bearings and seals (I got sealed bearings and left the outer seal on the bearing and put some gear oil in the void between the bearing seal and the new output shaft seal for a bit of lubrication) any old how a few weeks after I'd done this I noticed and oil leak from the front output shaft area, but thought it was just the shaft seal had gone and it was leaking the oil from between the seals. But it carried on leaking and I noticed play in the prop shaft as you have. Then I had to take the gearbox out again for an unrelated problem. So I double checked the rolling resistance of the diff, and it's correct as per the manual. So not knowing what to do for best I gave up and left it.

I've done about 500 miles in it since and nothing has given up (touch wood) yet, it does have an annoying vibration at 40 MPH though, definitly speed related not engine revs, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping its tyre related.

So although that lot doesn't help at all, at least your not alone.

Yea! thats what I mean about not being in a mad rush or panic or anything as I'v already done about 3,000 mile with the problem and I'd like to get my series three back together first! but It's bloody anoying having to keep crawling underneath to top up the oil and it sounds like the vibration of yours kicks in at about the same time as mine. Probably not the tyres!! Oh well I suppose I might as well put it down as beeing another typical Land Rover thing!! I'll let you know if I find the cause.

Oh and I forgot there's no shim behind the bearing, so I reckon it was like this from new.

Thats a good point. I'v replaced the bearing, seal and shaft and I don't even remember seeing a shim/spacer although there is suposed to be one according to Land Rovers microcat system.
There must be a way of tightening the shaft up against the outer race, Why els would it be tapered? I just assume that this is why there are the spacers present????? I still can't remember seeing one. I'm going to find the answer if it kills me!

The shim should be behind the taper roller bearing, all you are doing by putting thicker shims in is decreasing the distance between the inner and outer races and therefore taking up any excess play. But the tolerance is so big, a resistance of 4-10 Lbs, that if you're at the lower end as I am then you will get more play, and even the thinnest shim is going to be too thick and would increase the resistance to greater than 10 Lbs.

But then I could have interpreted the manual wrong and am talking out of my arse.

Where did you measure the resistance from Grunt? The flange bolt holes or the shaft itself?

The actual diff body through the large access plate hole thing. Just wind a piece of string several times round the body hook a spring balance through a loop in the end of the string (I used my fishing one which probably isnt that accurate, last time I went fishing I caught a 12Lb perch), and pull the balance. Mine was pretty slack just over 4Lbs.

Don't know if you'll get an accurate reading if your doing it with the transfer box in the vehicle. I reckon you'll have to take the handbrake drum off as well as both propshafts, to keep drag to the minimum.

Thanks I'll probably pull the transfer box off anyway and sort it in the shed. Cheers for all!!