Hi gang,

So my rover is again contributing to my raging case of male pattern baldness.

got a squeak in the driveline somewhere that is difficult to locate, and worrisome.

Parameters and trials are as follows:

- T-case re-sealed and full of Lucas gear oil.

- front propshaft rebuilt and full of Napa gold grease

- engine (for the moment) is cooled perfectly, full of rotella, and leak free

- trans is leak-free and full of fluid

The noise is a chirp, and comes on at acceleration. It *seems* to be coming from the front of the vehicle, down below, and sounds a LOT like a failing driveshaft. However, mine is visually fine, and personally lubed by me.

I have taken it around the block, put in neutral, and the noise disappears immediately. I have also put in neutral and shut off the motor, to check bearing noise (small rumble from rear, but chirp goes away)

Could a bearing/hub make this only under acceleration and cruising?

Differentials?

Something in the axle?

Rear driveshaft?

I've replaced the rotoflex, so I know that's good, but I'm getting a little stumped here.

I don't particularly like throwing parts at something I don't know. engine belts don't squeak, power steering pump and hoses are new, have inline therm mod done, and motor is a GP longblock, which, so far, has been great.

Do I put it on the jack and test bearing play? Steering is tight and responsive.

 

I had to swap my front driveshaft this last weekend for similar reasons. I greased the heck out of it and the chirp (which came on all of the sudden) did not change at all. Only after I got it out did I find that the chirp, and a serious "catch" in the articulation, came from the centering ball between the two joints.

If greasing makes no difference, try unbolting the back of the driveshaft and manipulating it. Or try wiping grease all over the ball between the joints then see if the chirp at least lessens.

It almost has to be a driveshaft if it only happens under acceleration. And that's exactly what mine was doing.

 

How crazy would this test be?

Drop front driveshaft, and go for a drive...under moderate acceleration.

Am I asking for trouble?

If the chirp goes, then I know at least...

 

as long as you have a CDL no problem

 

Front driveshaft, regardless of when it was replaced. Remove and inspect

 

Thanks guys.

@CharlieV - how is it we are on the same-ish rover repair track all the time?

Baffling.

Will drop shaft and just take to shop for rebuild. Not worth the gamble in my book, even if I can weld aluminum transmission cases...

I have CDL in this truck, but not the linkage.

 

If it is crazy, I am a lunatic because I have done it more than once. Only trick is that to go for a drive you have to lock your CDL and I can't recall if yours locks (mine does, with a wrench underneath, SIGH).

EDIT: Okay, I just read the REST of your message. A think a 10mm open end wrench is what you need. You'll feel it click.

 

Found a local shop that will do full rebuild, balance and paint for $260.00. After reading over the rebuild-it-yourself threads, that seems like a bargain. The parts alone from Napa are $120+

Dropping this thing out of the truck this afternoon.

It's just never over with a rover.....

Also had to order master cylinder "rebuild" kit today....for $70 on amazon.

These cars are like a hot bitchy girlfriend - you just can't help but like the abuse they dish out. Not sure what's wrong with me.

 

I could shoot you a picture of the Britpart master cylinder rebuild kit I have but... YES IT IS SCARY THAT WE ARE ALWAYS DOING THE SAME THING!

I cannot weld aluminum... not unless you are just trying to weld a new hole in it.

I had an o2 sensor go bad. I have parts... so I ordered a new set but it is taking longer than I can stand for them to arrive, so I grabbed an admittedly old, beat up, piece of poo o2 sensor from an extra Y pipe I have been holding on to (for the excellent cats... HAHAHAH), put it in last night, and didn't even turn it on. Turned it on this morning. THIS IS THE ONLY CHANGE I MADE. I DIDN'T EVEN PUT THE KEY IN IT. Of course, when I started it this morning, I got low voltage from the O2 sensor... then even better: a random misfire... misfires on 1, 3, 5, 7... I know it is just the o2 sensor. What modern vehicle does that? What OLD vehicle does that? Yes, exactly like a hot bitchy girlfriend. So I will giver her the old ring back and toss the new one since she didn't like it, while I wait for the new new ring to arrive.

 

I had a broken motor mount and it chirped also....more of a squeak, when taking off from a stop, or when you put the car in gear.

Lift the hood, and rock the Rover back and forth and listen for anything weird...