Cherping noise

Morning all.
My landy has developed quite a loud cherping noise. The noise only happens when driven while powered, coasting and when idling no noise. But at low speeds particularly maybe up to 30mph the noise is quite intense. I am right in thinking it's a worn UJ? Any thoughts appreciated.
1996 300tdi
Cheers Dom

Any ideas on where the noise is coming from? Front - back etc.

It could be UJ's - easy enough to get under and give the shafts a rock and wiggle and look for any play. From what you say it doesn't sound engine related but have you 100% ruled that out? 300tdi aux belt tensioner can do a pretty good impression of a aviary - mine used to do it when driving from about just above idle to about 1500rpm then it sort of faded off. You do say it goes on coasting and the engine cherp would not stop on coast so does sound drive train but I would check!

Thanks, yeah I'll check the idler again, I replaced it a year or so ago, but it was britpart so it could be that . As far as I can tell it's not rpm related though, because it does the same in different gears at the same speed, which is what is leading me to something in the drive train. The noise is definitely coming from the front end. I'll have a wiggle of the UJs and see if there's any play.

PopaDom said:

Thanks, yeah I'll check the idler again, I replaced it a year or so ago, but it was britpart so it could be that . As far as I can tell it's not rpm related though, because it does the same in different gears at the same speed, which is what is leading me to something in the drive train. The noise is definitely coming from the front end. I'll have a wiggle of the UJs and see if there's any play.

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OK - sounds like you have confirmed it is drive train - I would go direct to the shafts now - good luck - at least some UJ's (get decent ones) will only set you back £8-10 each and simple to fit - when the shaft is off do both ends - it is a no brainer for the money and time it takes to do it.

Buy the best UJs you can afford - greasable HD GKN ones from Island 4x4 or similar. The HD ones have better dust seals, which should help them last longer.

Chirping is usualy a seized or nearly seized UJ,you perhaps wont find any movement but after a drive one of the journals will be hot.

Sorry for the delay, busy week. but here are my findings, definitely the UJ's picture attached. Thank you all for the help much appreciated.

Going by that photo you better be prepared to replace the flange as well unless you've been very lucky.

what makes you say that? as far as I can see its just the UJ its self that has broken? or am I missing something?

From the pic it certainly looks as though the needles have gone, and the cross piece is rattling around in the flange and possibly also in prop shaft housing, which at worst would mean replacing the shaft as a complete unit ... not difficult and not very expensive.
The question is, have you any experience in changing UJ's?

Unless the journal cap has worn through the UJ yolks them selves should be fine.

PopaDom said:

Sorry for the delay, busy week. but here are my findings, definitely the UJ's picture attached. Thank you all for the help much appreciated.

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That will do it!

That all looks rather dry - invest in a grease gun if you don't have one (I hope not looking at that UJ) and some cartridges of decent quality grease and try and grease at least once a year - it really does pay off.

discomania said:

That will do it!

That all looks rather dry - invest in a grease gun if you don't have one (I hope not looking at that UJ) and some cartridges of decent quality grease and try and grease at least once a year - it really does pay off.

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yes, i have a grease gun on order now! started removing the prop shafts today, so far it looks like I got away with not damaging the flange but I'll know for sure when fitting the new UJ's. so fingers crossed.