Hi,

Last night my car developed a vibration which can be felt at low speeds (20-25 kph). The vibration is through the frame and a little in the steering wheel. My car is Discovery 2002 with 185K kms, and original propeller shaft and joints.

I had a good look under the car. With one front wheel jacked up and in neutral I see some small play in the hookes joint (or double cardon) at the transfer case end of the front propeller shaft. As you turn the wheel, there is maybe 0.5 mm gap that opens and closes on two opposing sides of the where the UJ connects to the rest of the prop shaft housing. And there is a clicking sound as the gap opens and closes. None of the other UJs have this issue.

So my question, does this indicate that the UJ has failed or is failing? Unfortunately I am in Laos and it is New Year here today and everyone is closed for the next three days, so I can't take my car to a mechanic. Although I am trying.

thanks - stephen

 

Most likely it is the ujoint failling. You will either need to rebuild or puchase another drive shaft.

 

Thanks ralphobell. I have ordered the parts. I really hope this is the issue. The parts should arrive in 4 days.

 

If you haven't already, crawl under your truck and take a look at the u-joints on the front driveshaft. They may be so bad that you shouldn't drive the vehicle until you get the u-joints replaced. If it is essential that you use the truck, depending on the circumstances, you may want to remove the front driveshaft until it's fixed. You can manually engage the CDL at the top of the output assembly on the transfer case. That will enable you to drive in two wheel drive at the rear until such time as you can make the repairs.

 

Thanks Paul,

I spent a few hours under the car this morning and it seems that both the UJs which form part of the hookes joint have an issue. It does not appear that bad when lying under the car, but it is pretty bad when the car is been driven. The good news, I have only done about 4 kms since I really felt the vibration. So now the car is staying put until the workshops open up in 3 days.

It is not essential that I use the truck, and it is 2002 year model, so no CDL. I would love to disconnect the prop shaft and call it a day, oh well.

Just to let folks know, I am dealing with the Land Rover guys here in Laos. Not sure they can do a prop shaft rebuild, or if they want to. I would feel better if they just put a new prop shaft in, but it is hard to get parts here. If I was at home I would do the rebuils myself, but a hotel parking lot is not the place for this.

 

dang, a hotel parking lot in Laos. and I was bitchin' about the sun cooking me in my building's parking space over the weekend. yeah, be careful about that prop shaft popping off there and taking out the trans case. maybe best to get a rickshaw ride or whatever local transport is there 'til the shaft can be replaced. how 'bout giving us a picture or two of "whereverville" Laos?

 

Just to let everyone know it was indeed the UJs in the hookes joint. Car is all better now.