So there has been a whining sound coming from transmission or diff for a while. It is more pronounced when coasting down a hill. Does not do it at neutral only when moving. Does not seem to make a difference swithcing to neutral while driving. Starting today two things started happening. First the sound described is much more pronounced. Secondly and more worrysome there are occasional clanking sounds and sound like you get when engage a starter after the engine is already running. I checked transmission fluid. Think I checked it too hot though because it came pouring our (lost about 1/2 quart). Any idea what this might be and what if anything I could do to troubleshoot? It does not slip between the gears or anything its just makes the whine and the occasional awful clanking knock grind sound. Does not sound good thats for sure. Scared to drive it until I figure this out.

 

Driveshaft. most likely your u joint failed. first thing, stop driving it. second thing order a new one. 250 dollars from lucky8 or 350 from brish partsof utah. thrid step install it, 8 bolts, 9/16 using two combo ends and one 9/16 socket with 6 inch extension and and universail joint, 1/2 drive, some wire to hold drive shaft up, so it doesnt hit you in head, and you can get at the bolts with greater ease.

Finally, refill your tranny that you dimped the fluid out of.

Ok, you might want to check it before you replace it, on the side with with two u joints grb it with you hand, if its loose it is broke,


do not drive it untill you fix it.

 

I replaced the Ujoints with serviceable ones about a year ago. Have not greased them since so that could possible be it. I just went under there and did not get any play in them. Hmmmmm sounds like its coming from right underneath the shifter. I will grease the U-joints and see. If they are bad I would assume grease wont fix them at this point. What is the best way to check them apart from shaking them by hand? Any other ideas?

 

You can't dependably determine if a U-joint is bad by looking for play in it. There can be enough tension to keep you from being able to move it by hand while laying under the truck. You'll have to take it off to see if it's bad. You might be able to squeeze grease through it and it still be bad. If you can't squeeze grease through it, it is definitely bad. It will probably be the one closest to the cat if you haven't greased it in a year.

 

You need eight new grade 5 nylocs.

 

Just greased all the U-joints and it did not make any difference. Its intermittent but scary when I hear it. Those U joints are right at a year old. Yea I should have greased them before now but my gut says thats not what Im hearing. Is the only way to really check it to detach it from the diff and see if the U-joint moves smoothly and freely? What else could this be. It has a distinctive whine going on that changes with speed. Its like the one I have always had when letting off the gas going down hill but like much louder.

 

I have 2003, discovery, 125,000 miles, I had the same problem. Whining noise and clunking. The original you joints are not serviceable (i.e. greaseable)

There are eight bolts, this is a very simple remove and replace. Find a local machine shop to press new Ujoints. Parts should run you know more than $50 online.

I know all this because I took mine in for service, I watched the mechanic do it in less than 20 minutes, and spent $500.

 

without a CDL there is no way to pull the front drive shaft and still be able to drive it.

 

Thanks for that, I was wondering myself. Since mine was built in 06/2001 I'm pretty sure I don't have the CDL equipped TC

On topic, I am about to replace the front driveshaft as a PM item (117K miles) as it looks original. Was leaning toward the lucky8 version but since it does not have a greaseable centering bearing I might just go with the Proshaft version. I'm not an off roader but will do some towing and plentyl of salted snowy road driving. Someday a 2" lift will go on also...

 

Don't be so sure. My late model '01 has a CDL nipple. Crawl underneath and you may be in for surprise.