Stuck Diff Lock or CV or ...? (Also posted on "Series" thread)

[ozlandy]

Just wondering if anyone can give me a hand fixing my Discovery 1. Yesterday I engaged diff lock in low range to climb a pretty serious bit of country, which the Disco handled beautifully.

After the climb I disengaged the diff lock (or thought I did) and continued on the dirt and mud for the rest of the day.

One the way home on the tar, I thought I could hear the transmission whining like I have heard it when the diff lock is still engaged, and later when I took some right angle turns (especially left hand turns) the front tyres seemed to jump and the front end shuddered as I cornered.

I suspected that the diff lock was stuck, even though the selector lever moves fine and the lock light turns on and off as expected. I took the Discovery out and drove (slowly) backwards for 100s of yards, in 'S' patterns and on full steering lock to try and disengage the diff lock - but the problem remained.

I got under the truck and checked the linkage today, and it seems straight and seems to be turning the diff lock shaft in the top of the box (but it is a bit hard too see so its possible I am missing something).

So, heres my question: is it possible that the diff lock is stuck inside the transfer box even though the lever and linkages seem OK? If it is stuck, what kind of Land Rover first aid can I apply to fix this problem?

If it is not a stuck diff lock, what could the problem be? How should I diagnose what is wrong?

Thanks in advance.

 

[martinhollings]

jack 1 front wheel up and spin it if it spins its not stuck in difflock (make sure the main gear box is out fo gear)

 

[ozlandy]

Thats the plan for tomorrow after work. Thanks, will let you know how I go.

 

[ozlandy]

OK, I have jacked up one front tyre and with the transmission in Neutral and diff lock lever disengaged, the wheel spins freely. With diff lock lever engaged, the wheel does not spin freely.

Took it out for another run, and still get a noise, but ONLY when I turn left and with a bit of speed. If I turn at a crawl, the noise does not occur. The noise seems to come from the right side front of the car and when it happens, it seems like a small shudder, not nearly as bad as it was when I first heard it, but still a worry.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[ozlandy]

Oh, and the noise only seems to happen as I pass the half lock position when I turn to the left. Does not happen if I am at more or less lock than that.

 

[Trewey]

Could be a CV joint on it's way out or Swivel bearings.

 

[ozlandy]

Well, it looks like its fixed now. I lifted both rear wheels off the ground to 'unwind' the drive train and now I get no noise.

Live and learn...