Transfer box and half shaft broke

Hi I have just put a 2 1/2 diesal in landy (series 3) and on the first run on a steep hill in traffic, I had to stop and put handbrake on when I set of there was a loud bang, and I lost the high gear in the transfer box and broke a rear half shaft. Could anyone explain why they went together! This maybe a stupid question but I tried to think of a answer and get different ones! Oh yes I thought handbrake had stuck on before the bang. Cheers

Did you have it in 4wd? That might do it.

No it was in 2wd

Sorry forgot to put, it moves in 2wd with transfer box in low

creaker said:

Hi I have just put a 2 1/2 diesal in landy (series 3) and on the first run on a steep hill in traffic, I had to stop and put handbrake on when I set of there was a loud bang, and I lost the high gear in the transfer box and broke a rear half shaft. Could anyone explain why they went together! This maybe a stupid question but I tried to think of a answer and get different ones! Oh yes I thought handbrake had stuck on before the bang. Cheers

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when do you think its more likely to snap ,with a high torque situation like hill start or low torque once running

creaker said:

Sorry forgot to put, it moves in 2wd with transfer box in low

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when in low its allways 4wd only high has 2wd option

I understand under high torque it more likely to snap but just cant get head round why they went together as it was in high when it went!

creaker said:

I understand under high torque it more likely to snap but just cant get head round why they went together as it was in high when it went!

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you havent lost high gear just one half shaft ,in high one shaft bust means you have no drive ,in low or high 4wd you would have to break a half shaft in front axle and back to lose drive ,in 4wd you would be less likely to bust a half shaft as torque is split between 2 axles in 2wd just rear has the torque

Must have lost high because , locked free wheeling hubs so could run it back but would only move with red lever in low (pulled back) so this is why think lost high !

locking fwh wouldnt make any difference without engaging 4wd with yellow knob or pulling red to low

Thankyou very much I could kiss you Jamesmartin , just been out too landy and see what you mean thanks again

Yes, James is right, you've just snapped a half-shaft (I've done that at traffic lights). It's only in 2wd (the back) when in high box unless you push down the yellow knob. If that doesn't work its most likely your yellow knob is not working.

PS: I cursed my free wheeling hubs when mine went - I was on a hill going under a busy underpass. So, no handbrake, no drive...had to run it into the wall and jump out to do the hubs - with hundreds of angry cars stuck behind me thinking what a nobend...

If you had operated yellow knob for 4wd could be that the shaft that allows this is seized in front transfer casing hence not engaging , low ratio gives 4wd by a different shaft take cover off the shaft ends at front of front out casing on gearbox there should be three shafts the hi low and the two spring loaded ones if selecting 4wd does not pop the middle top one forward lubricate and tap end gently with a punch to work it against spring will eventually free it you can do the same with he other one if need be .

Personally I would leave the freewheel hubs engaged.

They do very little to benefit the running of the land rover when disengaged, and arguably more damage as the prop/halfshafts are not spinning, this results in no oil being splashed about about in the swivels and the top swivel pin being starved of lubrication.

I read an article years ago talking about whether they were a good idea or not. Land rover themselves had tested them and found that they barely altered the rolling resistance of the vehicle. And given that all series motors are now very old you need to look after your swivel pins.

Besides, nothing more ambarrasing than going "Lets Offroad!!" pulling the red lever back and getting stuck because you forgot about the bloomin hubs.

Have you investigated which shaft is broken yet? and at which end? if its gone at the diff then you may have to pull that out to get the stub out.