front diff issues

[jay_oldstuff]

Hi chaps it had to happen only had the discovery back on the road for under two weeks and it came home today on the back on an AA truck.
i was trundling down the M60 at about 70'ish when a vibration started from the frunt anyway i pulled over to the hard sholder and had a look could'nt see anything serious so as i was only a coupple of miles from home i thought I'd drive to the next exit and turn round to nurse it home so got back in selected 1st and drove forward about two ft before there was an almighty bang and the car wouldn't move the front axle had locked solid and the front prop had snapped anyway one AA calout later and i've got it stuck outside my house.
So question 1 anyone know if the front prop from the 200tdi will fit a 300tdi
question two if not anyone in the grater Manchester aria got a good diff and front prop that will fit a 300tdi. ta

Jay

[littlelegs]

Are you sure the universal joint hasn't just broken up? Seems odd for a shaft to break and the front diff to lock up all at the same time!

[bananahead]

As said, is it definately not the UJ?
I am in Leeds and have a diff and a prop from a 300 TDI disco. Pm me if you are interested.
If you are unsure what were are talking about post some pics...

Ps. i am unsure if the prop will fit as they are different gearbox's, but you could just see if they are the same legnth and if so it should fit, they are the same holes in the flange (remember it goes on one way the set of holes arent square they are rectangular)

[jay_oldstuff]

it probably is the uj that went but with the prop flying round i'm guessing that could now be bent too, it's dark now but i'm gonna have a proper look in the morning. and i'll take some pics.

Jay

[terratology]

I've got a 200tdi prop on my mine and its fine. Gearbox don't make the slightest bit of difference as its the transfer box that the prop bolts to.

[jay_oldstuff]

yep pulled the prop off of my rotting 200tdi and it appears to be identical. see pic.
so that is the prop sorted now for the diff i have a 24 spline diff in my old scrap back axle can that be made to fit the front? i know the front plate would need changeing as the rear is a three bolt fitting and the fron is a four but appart from that would it work?

Jay

[TEMPL4R]

That UJ looks rusty, that would vibrate. I'd go with the others and see if the front diff rotates OK before I went any further. Jack a wheel up and see if it spins freely.

If the prop shot apart as you were pulling away, that is when it is at maximum loading and you would stop dead and a hell of a bang.

Chris

[bananahead]

yep pulled the prop off of my rotting 200tdi and it appears to be identical. see pic.
so that is the prop sorted now for the diff i have a 24 spline diff in my old scrap back axle can that be made to fit the front? i know the front plate would need changeing as the rear is a three bolt fitting and the fron is a four but appart from that would it work?

Jay
The front diff has a bracket for the steering damper. The rear one does not. I once broke the flange on the rear diff due to the rubber coupling failing and decided to go down the 200 rear prop route so took the diff to an independant specialist to put a new flange on (it did not have a nut, i think it was pressed on?) and they fitted the four bolt flange for me AND a spacer they said i needed. So basically, i dont think it is easy to put a rear diff on the front.

[jay_oldstuff]

The front diff is definitely goosed both front wheels are locked i've tried jacking one wheel up and it wont spin. it will however move in reverse but with a horrid noise coming from the diff.

Jay

[jay_oldstuff]

The front diff has a bracket for the steering damper. The rear one does not. I once broke the flange on the rear diff due to the rubber coupling failing and decided to go down the 200 rear prop route so took the diff to an independant specialist to put a new flange on (it did not have a nut, i think it was pressed on?) and they fitted the four bolt flange for me AND a spacer they said i needed. So basically, i dont think it is easy to put a rear diff on the front.

Thats a ****** then, i've pulled the diff out of my scrap back axle the casting has the holes for the steering damper bracket but i've no idea how to remove the three bolt flange it looks pressed in.
another thought could o remove the internals from the rear diff and fit them into the front diff casting?

Jay

[bananahead]

Just looked at a manual and it does have a nut, the round piece is just a centralizing peg. That needs a special Landrover tool but i reckon it might come off if you hit it lol... no try twist it with stilsons to free it off. Then there is a nut to undo and remove the flange and swap over... I wouldnt try swapping the diff internals.. I think you need to know what you aredoing for that (i dont).

[jay_oldstuff]

well it's fixed. spent this morning under the car in a pile of leaves. i got a good front diff from the local scrappy for £40. when i removed the old diff i found one of the crown wheels teeth jammed in the planet gears. all went back together ok and the front prop from the 200tdi fit fine. that uj must of been on its last legs, there has always had a clonk when changing gear which i put down to a warn gearbox that has now gone. and i gave all the grease nipples on the new prop and the rear prop a good going over for good measure.

Jay