awillemsen

awillemsen

Active Member
Car rumbles and vibrates through floor at 45-55mph (whether accelerating, decelerating or keeping steady speed), and also rumbles when decelerating above 65mph. Also whines slightly when slowing down from about 30mph.

Front diff has been diagnosed as the problem. Does this fit the symptoms? I have heard other people say the ~50mph rumbing and vibrating does fit, but what about the high speed rumble?

Also, are all reconditioned diffs going to be suitable, or should I go for a recognized name (e.g. Ashcroft)?

Thanks in advance :)
 
defender300td1 said:
It could be or it could be a uj I guess you don't know how to check uj then?
Click to expand...

Correct. Most of my "mechanical" knowledge is with motorbikes, which don't have UJs :)

Wheel bearings and VC were checked a couple of months ago, and were OK (problem started about 18 months [6000 miles] ago and has gradually been getting worse).
 
Winding down noise is typical of pinion bearings. Rumble most likely a U/J. Crowndiffs are good do a search.
 
awillemsen said:
Do you just wiggle the propshaft and see if there's any play in the joints? Or is there a more sophisticated test? :) Should the gearbox in neutral??
Click to expand...

In gear hand brake off for the rear. Look for rusty steaks on the UJ. Might need a lot of force if there is a bit of tension in the transmission or lift a wheel to release any wind up.
 
Datatek said:
In gear hand brake off for the rear. Look for rusty steaks on the UJ. Might need a lot of force if there is a bit of tension in the transmission or lift a wheel to release any wind up.
Click to expand...

Lifted a wheel at both ends (one at a time). Didn't see any rotation, so I guess no wind up. Tested the VCU at the same time - still fine.

Rear prop shaft UJs are fine - no play at either end.

Front prop shaft has some play on front UJ - no rotational play, but slight up-and-down play, accompanied by clicking just loud enough for the wife to hear it stood by the car. Rear UJ is same, but less play - no rotational, and only just noticeable up-and-down, no clicking.

Other thing is that I can rotate a lifted front wheel by a good inch, maybe a little more - I guess this is normal wear on the diff gears?

Is there a good test for a duff pinion bearing?

P.S. No rusty streaks. Front prop shaft has a coating of the black stuff from a slight engine oil leak :)
 
Last edited:
awillemsen said:
Lifted a wheel at both ends (one at a time). Didn't see any rotation, so I guess no wind up. Tested the VCU at the same time - still fine.

Rear prop shaft UJs are fine - no play at either end.

Front prop shaft has some play on front UJ - no rotational play, but slight up-and-down play, accompanied by clicking just loud enough for the wife to hear it stood by the car. Rear UJ is same, but less play - no rotational, and only just noticeable up-and-down, no clicking.

Other thing is that I can rotate a lifted front wheel by a good inch, maybe a little more - I guess this is normal wear on the diff gears?

Is there a good test for a duff pinion bearing?

P.S. No rusty streaks. Front prop shaft has a coating of the black stuff from a slight engine oil leak :)
Click to expand...

The UJ's are shot, bet you have never greased them? Fix them quick before you go pole vaulting.
 
Change the U/Js and see if you still have the wind down effect. If you have it is most certainly pinion bearings. When you have the prop off check for any movement up and down, in or out in pinion. There should be none at all, even a few thou will give you the noise specially if the bearings are marked. (Bearing surface on rollers/cages breaking up)
 
wammers said:
Change the U/Js and see if you still have the wind down effect. If you have it is most certainly pinion bearings. When you have the prop off check for any movement up and down, in or out in pinion. There should be none at all, even a few thou will give you the noise specially if the bearings are marked. (Bearing surface on rollers/cages breaking up)
Click to expand...

U/Js changed by local independent, but symptoms are still there.

Unfortunately, I forgot to ask independent to check pinion bearing :doh:

Is it possible that the play I felt in the propshaft was actually play in the diff and not in the front U/J? I will get under car tomorrow, if I have time, to see if play is still there.
 
awillemsen said:
U/Js changed by local independent, but symptoms are still there.

Unfortunately, I forgot to ask independent to check pinion bearing :doh:

Is it possible that the play I felt in the propshaft was actually play in the diff and not in the front U/J? I will get under car tomorrow, if I have time, to see if play is still there.
Click to expand...

If pinion bearings are worn, the most noise comes on overrun when the crown wheel is driving the pinion, and the teeth are forced to a different mesh than normal.
 
awillemsen said:
U/Js changed by local independent, but symptoms are still there.

Unfortunately, I forgot to ask independent to check pinion bearing :doh:

Is it possible that the play I felt in the propshaft was actually play in the diff and not in the front U/J? I will get under car tomorrow, if I have time, to see if play is still there.
Click to expand...

If your in Essex I have an excellent used p38 diff. £60.
 
awillemsen said:
Unfortunately, I'm 125 miles away in Leicestershire. But many thanks for the offer. :)
Click to expand...

Try Crowndiffs do a search, think he always has second hand ones around. As well as the recon ones he sells. Think he is in Whatton Notts. So he can't be that far away. His name is Steve Howarth.
 
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