okay here goes with another one:

2003 Discovery II w/ 106K miles has a weird shudder, stumble, jump when accelerating between 30-45 mph. When I force the issue and accelerate it basically feels like it is stuttering until I get up to about 50/55mph. I have no codes and no lights although the feeling resembles a misfire. I doubt if my propshaft has been rebuilt, although I did grease it up about 8,000 miles ago.

My thoughts go in order of greatest fear: transmission, t-case, propshaft? although I really have no clue. Once I get going at highway speed everything seems fine. Its not a wheel weight, but could it possibly be a compression issue? or would that throw a code?

I can probably rebuild the shaft myself if thats what it is, but if that turns out to be the case what should I be looking for when I inspect the shaft?

Any help on this mystery would be greatly appreciated. hopefully one day I can return the favor. Thanks.

 

1. The front prop shaft rebuild is covered in the tech section of the D1 forum, with photos. If you don't have multiple grease fittings on the front shaft, it hasn't been rebuilt. See https://landroverforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=29302

2. No lights - do they come on for the three second bulb test when you crank the truck? Could be burned out, removed, or painted over. Or could be engine computer "believes" it is doing the right thing based on sensor inputs.

3. Tranny fluid and filter change. If engine when parked will slowly and evenly reach that same rpm, and air filter is not clogged up, certainly low tranny fluid can make wierd things happen. You'll want to check tranny fluid level at the minimum. It is not "forever", it needs to be changed from time to time.

4. Could also need tune up (plugs and wires), throttle body and IACV cleaning, but hold off on MAF cleaning. But those usually throw codes. You can try at various gears (2, 3, etc.) to see if problems are engine rpm related or vehicle speed related.

 

Thanks for the info.

I had a look at the front driveshaft and it looks like it is original. On the end connected to the transfer case it appears that one of the u joints is slightly cracked along the seam in the casting, unless thats not a seam in the casting and just a really bad crack, I might have dodged a major bullet here. I'm guessing this is what is causing my problem. I'll just buy a new front shaft from Great Basin Rovers and install it. I am assuming that it will be properly balanced when it arrives, is that correct?

As far as the lights on the dash, they all work properly as I've dealt with plenty of EMS codes on this beast, but right now I have no lights and no codes... Of course by the time I hit send I'll probably have 2 or 3 because I jinxed it.

I will also drain and refill the trans fluid, as that is probably overdue.

If anyone can think of any other things I should look at, please let me know. Thanks!

 

Yep, you dodged the new transmission bullet. Should come balanced. Grease as you please, like every other oil change and every deep creek frolic.

 

Sounds like 2 separate issues, the drive shaft and a bad tune.
So first, quit driving it till the shaft is replaced or you can loose your tranny also. Second, have you done your 60K major service along with the tune up and new 8 mm silicone plug wires?

 

Mike,

yes I did the 60K service at around 75K because when I bought it with 55K on it and was told that everything has been done. I also replaced the plugs and wires with 8MM Magnecor at around 90K because I had a a broken factory wire so I just changed them all. That puts about 20K miles on the plugs and wires. I guess I'll know for sure when I replace the front shaft. If the problem goes away then I'll be fine, If it doesn't then I'll start looking for other causes.

 

Well guys here is the culprit. Once I removed the shaft it was pretty easy to see what Happened. the needle bearings were ground up, and spit out and the U-joint was breaking down but still holding together. I dodged a serious bullet here as I drove for a while like this before I even knew there could be a problem with the driveshaft. Scary to think I was driving down the highway thinking what the hell is causing that weird shudder? Anyway thanks for the help to everyone. I replaced the shaft and the whole job was pretty easy.

Thanks again.