Thanks in advance to anyone that can help, My 1997 disco seems to be having a problem with the driveline. when the vehicle is shifted from park to either reverse or drive there is a clinging noise. and then when it is traveling down the road it is also sometimes prevalent. the noise to the closest of my ability to describe sounds like a wrench clinging against a aluminum pipe. Is this a U-Joint that needs replacing I am hoping that it is not the transfer case due to the lack of money for buying a new one.

Drew

 

You better check, lube or replace any or all u-joints, sounds like one or more may be failing, how often do you grease them?
Mike

 

I usually use a spray on synthetic grease every time after i go on the trails. I havent rebuild them yet but i think that i might. I got under the truck this morning and turned over the transfer case by hand with the truck on a lift. i noticed that there is about about 3-5 degrees of rotation before the rear diferential engages the shaft to the tires. any thoughts thanks mike

 

The rotation is normal. The spray won't help much. If you are using a synthetic grease once or twice every 12,000 is usually pretty good, just don't over grease and blow the seals out.
Mike

 

I'll try taking the U-joints apart and servicing them then I'll get back to you.

 

Surelynew UJs can't be that costly. I think they are a common size (Hardy Spicer?). Do they have grease nipples? If not, and you do a fair bit offroad, replace them with greasable type.

HTH

Pete