Defender 1995, 110, 300tdi Front Diff Whine/ Noise.

**Landy Red** · 27th April 2018, 09:28 PM

Hi guys any help would be much appreciated. I have searched through threads and found lots of useful information which has helped me troubleshoot and diagnose but am hoping someone may be able to help me further.

My front diff has developed a serious wine that starts at about 5okph. The sound continues through the gears unchanged , 3^rd, 4^th 5^{th (at 50kph)}. It dips away between about 60kph to 80kph and comes on strong again from 90kph and above. The sound disappears when clutch is engaged or in neutral or when the foot is taken off the accelerator. I had the mechanic remove the front prop shaft and sound disappears altogether at all speeds. He was satisfied the transfer and gear box are not making the noise.

When the car is on the hoist and running through the gears with the wheels allowed to spin, rather than the wine experienced on the road, a more rattling scratchy sound was observed. It definatly seemed to be coming from the front diff. The final piece to the puzzle is, that at 235k the carrier bearings were replaced. It was good for around 15k. The vehicle is now approaching 250k.

My advice has been, that nothing more will be known until the diff is removed and internal components inspected. Can anyone point out my options from here? Do I ask the mechanic to attempt to replace/refurbish/rebuild what is there? Do I start looking for prices on a replacement? Do I look to fit something aftermarket? Any thoughts on my options are much appreciated. I should add, that I live in a reasonably remote area, my mechanic does a great job, but has no experience working on landrovers, so sourcing parts and getting them shipped here will take time.

**strangy** · 28th April 2018, 01:46 AM

The noise will be from the crown/ pinion.so these will likely have suffered to the point of not worth touching.
Simple fix get a centre from a Defender, D1, D2 for under 200 they are everywhere.
Or as above and fit an ATB or locker as an upgrade.

**Landy Red** · 28th April 2018, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by strangy

The noise will be from the crown/ pinion.so these will likely have suffered to the point of not worth touching.
Simple fix get a centre from a Defender, D1, D2 for under 200 they are everywhere.
Or as above and fit an ATB or locker as an upgrade.

Thanks so much, that is very useful advice. how do people reckon the limited slip performi the front of a Defender?

**Landy Red** · 29th April 2018, 12:09 AM

20180428_183236.jpgDid the Mt Huxley track today. Diff whine only a problem at speed on highway. Most of my driving happens out here. I am hoping that old diff centre hangs in there a while yet! Free.

**Landy Red** · 29th April 2018, 01:51 AM

1

**rick130** · 29th April 2018, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Landy Red

Thanks so much, that is very useful advice. how do people reckon the limited slip performi the front of a Defender?

If you aren't doing extreme rock crawling the ATB would work well.
It's only when you lift a wheel they basically stop working.

The big advantage with the ATB is that it eliminates the weak 2 pinion Rover centre as well as giving the car a little more capability and traction in any slippery/greasy/loose surface on and off road.

**rangieman** · 29th April 2018, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by rick130

If you aren't doing extreme rock crawling the ATB would work well.
It's only when you lift a wheel they basically stop working.

The big advantage with the ATB is that it eliminates the weak 2 pinion Rover centre as well as giving the car a little more capability and traction in any slippery/greasy/loose surface on and off road.

Im guessing this is a Tdi Rick so no T/control so maybe worthless with a Atb just in the front

**rangieman** · 29th April 2018, 10:16 AM

Oh and in re the Diff if your doing tours id be getting onto it pronto asap and replace it.
It would not be good for your reputation to be stranded with a stuffed diff

**Landy Red** · 29th April 2018, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by rangieman

Oh and in re the Diff if your doing tours id be getting onto it pronto asap and replace it.
It would not be good for your reputation to be stranded with a stuffed diff

Yeah, I have found a replacement centre for $200. I think I will go with that for now. It’s from a Discovery 1. The tracks I take on the tour are reasonably tame so current set up is more than enough. It’s more about getting into places and getting an experience than it is about extreme four-wheel driving. I can take tourists into spots there hire car won’t go!!- I can also save them a trip on an expensive train or boat and still see the same rainforest/rivers mountains etc.

**rick130** · 29th April 2018, 01:07 PM

It'll still help on the slippery stuff Chris, wet bitumen, mud, even wet grass, they just become useless if you lift a wheel and don't have TC.

Originally Posted by rangieman

Im guessing this is a Tdi Rick so no T/control so maybe worthless with a Atb just in the front

Thread: Defender 1995, 110, 300tdi Front Diff Whine/ Noise.

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