Tyre differences between axles

Long and short of it, Defender has just about passed MOT lacks 2 tyres.
I haven't got the cash this week to put tyres on it, but I have 2 spare tyres off a Disco.

So this will be for the weekend only as I need the truck this weekend as van is going for service and need a car.

Problem I have is the Disco tyres are smaller, so rear axle would have
235/85/16
Front axle would be
205/80/16

(I know what I intend to do is perfectly legal)

There is a 9.74 difference on rolling radius and a 31mm drop, I don't care about looks, I wont be using diff lock this weekend, is this likely to cause any problems? New tyres would be fitted next week.

Where are you based?

South Wales

As I say it would only be till Monday until my new tyres turn up, more of a case of whether I will do axle/diff damage running a 10% rolling radius difference.

I would have offered to lend a couple of tyres but you're just a little bit too far lol! Somebody was asking a similar question on here the other day, try doing a search to see what was recommended. What is wrong with the rubber fitted that means it won't last s few more days?

I have no MOT and need it MOT'd for the weekend as I am going to be vehicleless, front tyres are just too perished that I wouldn't even feel comfortable driving on (been stood for 5 years and they were advised on last MOT, rears are newerish) and my MOT man has already done an MOT and has said he will not pass them, which I am more than happy about.

Thank you for the offer though it is muchly appreciated

You shouldn't damage anything if you keep the diff lock out. It will be the centre diff in the transfer box that has to do all the work to compensate for the difference between the axles and may sound a bit louder. The centre diff is only designed to be a low speed diff but I would expect it to be able to cope with a 10% difference in propshaft RPM for a short while.

Interesting question! As Kwakerman says, the centre diff should take care of some of the difference ( like it does when the front wheels steer when travelling ). Will it cope with the extra 10% for a weekend without any damage? Hopefully someone with some excellent transmission knowledge will be along to put your mind at ease!

The center diff will take care of ALL of the difference, there is no problem with what you are doing the center diff will do what a diff does preventing wind up, it will just think you are going around a corner all the time which is what mine does normaly cos of where I live.[very twisty roads]cheers.

Remove a prop shaft and you will not get any wind up.

Oldseadog said:

Remove a prop shaft and you will not get any wind up.

Click to expand...

There is no wind up anyway just as long as diff is not locked.

just swop the tyres - there is no need to remove a prop shaft