Hello all,

I recently purchased an 04 Discovery. it has 41K on it and is still under factory warranty as well as an additional 2 year certification from Land Rover.

I am not technical at all but have read about replacing U- joints on these things as PM. I want the truck to last a long time and am willing to do what it takes to keep it running.

Could someone, in leymans terms explain what this is to me? What it should cost? etc.

I have a mechanic who works on my 95 M3 who I trust and who ultimately will work on my Disco when it is no longer under the LR warranty. Should I have him do this? or should I have it done at the dealer? Any insight would be great. Again sorry for the naiveness - Not a very technical person when it comes to vehicles under the hood.

Thanks in advance!

IM

 

You're regular mechanic will definitely be able to do the rebuild just fine. All they have to do is pull out the front ds, yank the factory non greasable U joints out and put some greasable ones in. It won't cost more than $300 all said and done.

 

The dealer will replace the drive shaft with the same one you have, which is not what you want. One end of the front drive shaft has a double cardon joint. That one is mine after being rebuilt. The two nipples sticking up are the zerks. This is the end that attaches to the t-case. It is also right next to the catalytic converter, which runs very hot and cooks the grease inside the u-joints. The stock double cardon joint cannot be greased, and being so close to the cat, it fails after time usually taking out the tranny at highway speeds. Ask your mechanic if he can rebuild the drive shaft with serviceable zerks and a new center ball kit, if not take it to a drive line shop and have them do it. It shouldn't cost anymore than $200-$300 depending on where you are.

 

Are we talking 200-300 for parts and labor?

 

Yes, 200-300 parts and labor.
And he can do all of your non warrenty work, you do not need to go to the dealer for anything other than warrenty work.

 

Oh trust me I know that.... A good, trusted mechanic is worth their weight in gold... especially for a guy like me who doesnt know what hes doing. The dealership wold cost double.

Thanks for the info guys!!

IM

 

I highly reccomend a tom woods drive shaft. They run around $375 but you will never have another problem from it again. These are the DS that are used for off road mods so it is burly. I got one and love it.

 

If you have it rebuilt, make sure to have the centering ball kit replaced at the same time to prevent an early failure.

 

At 41,000 miles, the centering ball would be ok imo. Even the UJ's would still be good, but replacing the UJ's is a good preventetive task. Just for info, when I rebuilt my shaft, the centering ball was in very good condition even at 84,000 miles.