Ok, I have a 99 disco 2 59k miles, just got it.... LOVE LOVE LOVE it so far. Been reading posts about the u joint problem so i set off to find out if mine needs to be replaced.. Called Atlantic/British and the guy told me replacing with the u joint with the one on there web site would do NO good, I needed to buy a new drive shaft assembly for 400 bucks.. True or false?

 

True.

The one they sell is just like the factory : non-serviceable. It will fail just like the one that came from the factory.

You've got a couple options. Rebuild/or have someone rebuild your Drive shaft with greaseable U-Joints, or buy a drive shaft that is serviceable, like Tom Woods or Great Basin Rovers. You can find them on ebay too. The prices will vary from place to place, but $400 is a pretty good estimate based on my research for the plug-and-play version. Rebuild can be much cheaper if you're trying to save a little cash.

 

rebuild will cost you about $200 if you let a drive line shop do it and about $100 if you do it yourself.

 

A driveline shop can re-build yours with grease-able u-joints for $175-$225 max with parts. It has 8 bolts to remove (very easy). Lock your CDL and you can still drive it (sparingly) while the driveline shop does the work. Make sure you mark the drive shaft with a grease pencil or paint-pen when you remove it and replace it exactly as you took it out. You will need 3 grease-able u-joints and a centering ball kit. I used Precision u-joint part# 344 and Precision centering ball kit #617.

Do it soon...a new transmission is next in line if you do not replace ($$$$)

BTW...congrats on becoming a new owner...you will continue to enjoy the vehicle I'm sure.

 

I have to climb under it tonight to see if it may have already been done. This thing was serviced at a rover dealer all its life. Is it possible they would have suggested this be done?

 

depends on the dealer. Ours does. Others don't so they can sell you a new tranny.

You can pull the fromt shaft pretty easily, find the tab and lock your case, and do light driving until you have the shaft done. Make sure and mark the shaft and hubs so you put it back on right. The benefit of having a shop do it is balancing.

From another post:

Hello,
Todd Here with Toddco. You can send the driveshaft to :
Toddco Suspensions Inc.
127 Hidden Oaks Drive.
Flintstone, GA 30725
Please include your return shipping address. You can enclose a check for $189.95 which includes the shipping back to you. Or I can contact you to get the payment information.
Thanks Todd
256-244-5640

 

Complete and utter BS.
You don't have to buy a new propshaft, just rebuild yours and lube it properly.
Do some searching here, I've identified the pros and cons of grease-able u-joints vs sealed and how to maintain them.