propshaft bearings - need replacing?

The two bearings either side of the VCU seem to need replacing but thought i'd check with the experts first. When the car is up on the ramps i can pull down on the propshaft and 'bang' it against the bottom of the bearing. Also when driving there is a knock and I think it may be the prop. Don't know how much play is supposed to be in the bearing and would like advice before i replace.

George

There is quite a bit of play in them from new, if they are worn you'll hear the whirring of the bearings at speed.

They shouldnt really be knocking.

Wasn't really that clear in my post. The bearing itself is not worn or damaged, it's the rubber mounting around the bearing inside the bearing mount which i think has degraded allowing the bearing and prop to bounce upand down and it's this amount of play i'm concerned about.

george99 said:

Wasn't really that clear in my post. The bearing itself is not worn or damaged, it's the rubber mounting around the bearing inside the bearing mount which i think has degraded allowing the bearing and prop to bounce upand down and it's this amount of play i'm concerned about.

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Replace them if the rubber isnt there anymore, it will only let in dirt and grime

Just done mine. Front one took me and a LR mechanic 4 hrs to do a couple of months ago as the shaft did not want to got back on the splines of the Universal coupling. However the rear one took an hour to do today in total. Fitted like a dream. How it should be!!
Haynes state this should be done at a Main dealer though. Don't know why as it was fairly simple.

You may be able to answer this problem for me Spannermonkey. On the new bearings how much movement of the propshaft is there, I have been told that they normally have quite a bit of play but not sure how much is normal.

Ref: knocking.
Knocking usually mean the front REAR DIFFERENTIAL mounting has gone, you can visually check to see if it is central in rubber, if its not replace the mounting, the 2 rear mountings take a lot longer to fail ( they both have "harmonic dampers" fitted to them.

depends on where your movement is. obviouslythere is movemtn on the bearings themselves as they are rubber, but they shopuldn't be moveing excessively anywhere else. if you move the drive shaft up and down at the bearings then you will get clunking at the bearing if it is worn.

also if you are able to get all four wheels off the ground using axle stands. ensure they are all off the ground and then get someone to start up the car and put it in gear. try and get it in third or above. engine will be a bit quieter. then with yiour mate ready in the drivers seat in case of any problems, get under the car and listen along the driveshaft. if the bearings or gearboxs are worn you will hear it directly from the source. rather than through the car body when you are driving.

Hope you get the hippo sorted.

Mine sounds lovely and quiet again, though being a hippo I can hear all the other things I need to replace now. ie the cv joints.

spannermonkey said:

Just done mine. Front one took me and a LR mechanic 4 hrs to do a couple of months ago as the shaft did not want to got back on the splines of the Universal coupling. However the rear one took an hour to do today in total. Fitted like a dream. How it should be!!

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SpannerMonkey: Did you have much trouble getting the old bearings off and the new ones on? Presumably the LR manual says to use a press but in the absence of one will a hammer and suitable drift work?

use a bench vice - if yu dont have a press - more controlable than a hammer.

that is - if yu got a vice?

Just found the problem, thought it was the bearings cos of the amount of play but it's the antiroll bar link arm on the front right making all the noise. I'm going to change both sides just to be sure and maybe the antiroll bar bushes while i'm there.

The Mad Hat Man said:

that is - if yu got a vice?

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Oh, I've got plenty of them