I have a Discovery 1990 5 door. Attached to the chassey on the driver's side just behind the front axle, I have always noted something round like a discus attached to the chassis with abolt and a wire rope to prevent it from falling. Today it came detached from the rubber mounting and I found it hanging to the ire rope. I looked on my maual but there is no mention to it anywher. Can someone tells me what is it, what is it's purpose and if it is safe to drive without it until I get a replacement. Thanks. Tony

 

Yes it is safe to drive with it off.
It is some kind of balancer thingy thing.
I do not know what it is called or how important it is, but it will make a great paper weight.

 

I always just thought is was a thing to protect the diff or suspention somehow, but really haven't put any thought into it

 

I too, have wondered what it is (mine is a 1995) I always thought it was some sort of electrolysis disk, to sort of protect the chassis from corrosion. I could be dead wrong though. But I'll go with Spike, and say you're safe driving without it.

 

I'm with Spike...it's called a "balancer thingy thing"

 

Thank you very much for all your replies to everyone. At least I do not have to travel to work by bus tomorrow until I get a replacement. Tony

 

I always tought it was a kind of protection when you off-road. If the diff scrapes an obstacle it prevents the diff from falling off the obstacle and hit directly the yoke and the u-joint.