Prop Problem S3

Hopper78 · May 20, 2019

Hi, just after a bit of advice - will post in the introduce yourself section once I've got this problem sorted!

I'm new to Land Rovers and recently bought an S3 after looking at various ones and finding one with the least amount of rust for my budget, neither me or the previous owner realised it had been left in 4WD Low (a stupid mistake to make) after driving for 20 mins or so at 25/30 I heard a bang and pulled to the side of the road... pic below! I took it off and limped home with just the front axle working. Is it just a case of replacing the whole prop or just the UJ - and should I be checking anywhere else for damage? Thanks for any advice.

Colthebrummie · May 20, 2019

Id say it depends on what value you put on your time and desire to fix stuff. A new prop with new uj's is about £90. I've never found replacing uj's easy so I'd rather buy a complete prop than muck about for a couple of hours. Also it saves you worrying about the state of the prop. The uj's are the weakest link so probably no other damage.

Col

Colthebrummie · May 20, 2019

When the UJ let go, did the end of the prop drop onto the road, if so, which end? If the front of the prop drops it can damage the rear axle if it digs into the road.

Col

Hopper78 · May 20, 2019

Thanks Col - think will go down the new prop route, much simpler.

It was the rear end of the prop that dropped on the road

Bobsticle · May 20, 2019

I suffered vibration for a few months which I narrowed down to the front prop. I simply replaced both props.
Saves a lot of faff.

Hopper78 · May 20, 2019

Cheers - any brand you'd recommend or avoid?

rob1miles · May 20, 2019

I would go for a new prop, the problem when they fail like this is that the eye can get enlarged so the UJ won't hold when you press it in.

tottot · May 20, 2019

Doubt if driving in 4wd would have made much difference, probably would have gone anyway.

dag019 · May 21, 2019

As it was the rear prop I would suggest 4wd was not the cause. It would have gone in 2wd as well as that would still be driving through the rear. I have become quite adept at changing uj's due to the mileage I do in the 110, but they only tend to last me 1-2 years so are not rusted into place like these will be. I would go for a new prop, but depending on what you get would consider swapping the UJ's on said new prop. Last time I replaced a prop I got a cheap britpart one which had good write ups for the prop but bad reviews on the sealed for life uj's. I fitted it with no problems but the uj's last me about 3 months. I then changed them for greasable GKN ones and had no problems since. On a new prop changing UJ's is very easy as it does not take much force to press them out in large vice (or even knock them in/out with a hammer if you are careful).

Bobsticle · May 22, 2019

I must admit, mine felt a bit lumpy when they went in.

Makes you grease them more than usual.

Webley1991 · May 25, 2019

Looking at the rust on the UJ journal, that had been gone for a while. Notice how that cup was completely dry of grease.

Prop Problem S3

Hopper78

Member

Colthebrummie

Well-Known Member

Colthebrummie

Well-Known Member

Hopper78

Member

Bobsticle

De Villes Advocaat

Hopper78

Member

rob1miles

Well-Known Member

tottot

Well-Known Member

dag019

Well-Known Member

Bobsticle

De Villes Advocaat

Webley1991

Well-Known Member

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