Hey guys,

I am a new 03 Discovery II owner - love it!! It is unreal, really.
The previous owner put a new Tom Woods custom drive shaft in it around 3,000 miles ago. I am getting a vibration around 65-75 mph and roaring noise it seems from the front. I put the Disco on a lift and it has no play in it up & down, or side to side. I am a new car sales manager for a Buick-Chevrolet-Cadillac store and my shop foreman rode with me in it, he thinks with no play in the drive shaft that it is the front differential - I would have to say I agree with him on it.

However, I thought I would post and see if the experts could elaborate anymore on any detail.

My thought process is - I buy a rebuilt diff from RL parts, for $411.00 and have my shop swap it out. Although, do I need to investigate any further?
The transmission was taken out when the drive shaft failed, so the previous owner bought one from a scrap yard with 30,000 miles and had it re-built and installed when the new Tom Woods drive shaft was installed.
The drive shaft as I said has no play in it at all, and looks to be in perfect shape - I am not that mechanical, however, I love cars and have forever - I understand the basics - but I don't understand the mechanics of all the u-joints, and bearings and all that come into play with these Rovers.
It seems to me the obvious issue would be the front differential, with all the gears and bearings inside.

Open to suggestions, transfer case, front output bearing, or others things you might suggest.

The vibration and noise is loud and noticeable as I said above 60-65 mph, and when I let off the gas it starts, when I hit the gas pedal I hear it clearly.

I plan to change the fluid on Monday before I just replace the diff, however, not sure it will help - I ordered the diff, axle, and transfer case service kit from British Atlantic.

Thanks guys!
Ryan

 

Have you guys tried running it on a lift to see if the noise is present with the truck off the ground? Might be easier to pinpoint that way with a stethoscope from underneath since you have easy access to a lift at work.

 

If is humming noise with the vibration may be hub bearings but usually that will trigger 3 amigos codes(most times), have you check the play in the bearings? by the way, if there is not noise I would check the tires balancing. I had a similar issue and turn out to be a internal defect in the right front tire. Unless it have been neglected or abused the front differentials in Rovers are very capable and for the most part reliable for daily use, now if you are into heavy wheeling then that is another history. Hope you find your issue

 

Easy test, take the driveshaft out and see if the truck makes the noise with the rear wheels on jackstands at that speed.

I would just get a replacement front axle from a wrecking yard if it is bad, should be plenty of them there and they very rarely go bad so low risk of getting another bad one.

The other option is to pull the pumpkin, even that should not take that long and would give you plenty of insight to the condition.

I guess it mostly depends on if you are going to do the work yourself or pay someone to do it.

 

its an 03 no why to lock the cdl