So today I was driving in the snow down a hill probably going no faster than 40mph and all of a sudden I heard a loud pop almost as if I ran something over and it hit the underside of the truck. I pulled over as far as I could off the road like I said I was driving downhill in snow so I didn't have much room on the shoulder. I looked underneath and noticed that my Rear Driveshaft had separated (missing Rotoflex Rubber piece ) from I believe its called the flange (3 bolt system). That part was lying on the ground. After coasting about 50ft I heard knocking underneath got out and looked underneath, noticed that my Rear Driveshaft was on the ground. I was able to make it to a gas station with my differential locked but only driving uphill now around 3mph with knocking.


My question now is what will need to be replaced? Will I need a new Rear Driveshaft or can I still possibly use the one that fell off? The flange (i think this is what it is called) Completely snapped and chewed the 3 bolts that was holding it in place. Obviously i'll need a new Rotoflex. Should I just get it replaced with a U-Joint instead? With the knocking sound is there now something wrong with my Transmission at this point?


I really love this truck and would like to get some ideas on what to do about getting it repaired. Any and all help would be great!


attached are some pics as well: sorry about the pics for some reason they loaded upside/sideways

 

I wouldn't even consider re-using that.

 

You should replace the shaft. The one will fit your Disco, and also eliminates the Rotoflex:
Drive Shaft Conversion Kit For Land Rover Discovery Vehicles

 

the knocking sound may have been the spline in photo 2(?) hitting the truck body or frame. In the photo with the spline you can see where it or the drive shaft rubbed.

 

Thanks for the replies... I do have a question about the conversion kit. Would that be an easy fix that I could do myself? Any idea on maybe how much it would cost at a shop?

 

Its easy. The hardest part will be pulling the Rotoflex centering pin out of the diff. There is a special LR tool, but I made one from about $5 in parts from Home Depot.

 

Removing the peg looks like this>>

If the peg gets stuck, using some heat from a simple propane or mapp gas torch will get it.


Personally I would convert to a 2 u-joint prop shaft like http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/9300


But if you are hell-bent on keeping the RotoFlex DAP has a complete FTC3705 NOS drive shaft with u-joint and Rotoflex (1/2 way done the page)>http://www.dap-inc.com/clearance/index.shtml
You will still need Flange kit> http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/STC3723

 

We have several guys on here that part rovers I am sure one of them can hook you up with the conversion for as good price

 

Thanks everyone like I said before I really appreciate all the input. I'm hoping to get the beast back on the road!!

 

Heck, enough people have probably done the conversion, that you could probably find the rotoflex parts for free or nearly free.