Hi All,

I recently replaced the front differential and drivers side CV and half shaft. At first I had an annoying winding sound between 40KPH and 65KPH but quieted it down with a heavier gear oil in the differentials. I find now that sometimes, not always, the car manages to grind when shifting - but only when stationary. This happens on flat ground shifting between Drive and Park and back. Any ideas? Other than this disturbing development the car seems absolutely fine and now drives perfectly.

Anna

 

If your diff is making the noise, better start looking for a good 3rd. member.

 

Did you have a shop do it or did you do it yourself? If a shop did it consult them, if you did it, review what you did.

Where are you located?

Just out of curiosity if you gently shift from Drive to N and stop at that point, does it still make the same noise?

Could it be that something that was worked on during your recent efforts may be such that it is having an interference fit situation?

I have had a slight grinding noise if my CDL shifter vibrates sightly out of place or if not 100% engaged when shifting from hi to low and back.

One more consideration is that you did only one side, the other side has seen the same wear so maybe it is next? Lots of times it is best to do pairs instead of just the one that failed first, as the other side is usually the next problem if ignored. This logic can apply to most items that are on the same axle, since they see the same wear.
Let us know what you find.

 

Diff is a warrantied replacement (used). I did all the work myself and followed the instructions to the letter. Do once, check three times is generally how I do it.

The passenger CV and halfshaft had been replaced prior to my purchasing the Rover, though I suppose they could have been damaged when the differential went. There didn't seem to be excessive play in the CV the way the drivers side had. The drivers side had completely shattered and just moved in and out at will.

Grinding noise went away when I went back under the truck and manually moved it to diff lock and back. I had to take the assembly apart when I was working on it earlier as it is frozen - something I'll rebuild as soon as I'm sure the rest is ok.

The curious winding sound is interesting though. It only starts when the vehicle is warmed up and has been driving for a while. The airshow is in town and I realized that it actually sounds like an airplane turbine winding up if you know what I mean.

I picked up some Lucas hub oil and am going to put it in the hubs as soon as I figure out how to drain them.

 

You cannot drain the swivel ***** on a '97 Disco.
That noise is the "A" typical differential going bad noise, either the rear diff or the t-case.
When was the last time you checked the fluid level in the transfer case?

 

Actually mine is an "early 97" mfg in mid 96 and it has drains on the swivels. My advice is to crawl under with a good light and take a look. There are drains on the bottom of mine.

My transfer case/center diff whined until I drained it and used the heavier synthetic 75/140 Mobil One gear lube, Then it quieted right down.

 

I stand corrected.
Thank you Danny.

 

I just replaced the oil (85/140 heavy duty gear oil) in both diffs and the transfer case. No shavings in any of the three, pretty much the right amount of oil though it was pretty dark. I suppose what I should have done was drop the access hatch on the transfer case and take a look.

 

I'm in Lethbridge, Alberta btw.

 

What does "grinding" mean?
Usually there is a clunk as the slack is taken out of the drive train.

Grinding - for more of a duration than a clunk - then something is slipping.

OK got it.
From park to drive and back.

Assertion:
From Drive to N - no grind.
Assertion:
From P to N - no grind.

I think your parking pawl in the transmission is not engaging properly -
or to be more precise -

Your parking pawl is not dis-engaging fully and then finally does.

The parking pawl may be spring loaded. When you go into park the spring is unloaded and the pawl drifts onto the teeth and stops the Rover.

When you go to drive, the pawl should be forced up by a pin or such.

Hummmm
We need a schematic of the transmission with regards to the parking pawl maybe..

I may be way off but...