Defender TD5 Clunk in Drive Train / Handbrake

[CraigE]

The Defender has developed a rathe loud clunk from somwhere in the drive train. It only does it when initially pulling away in first gear, after that it does not do it. Really hard to pick where it is coming from. Sounds like the gearbox / clutch / handbrake area and is almost like a back diff lock disengaging. Is there any way to check if it is the handbrake binding easily? It is a loud bang and shudder. Does not do it when reversing out but just when put into first gear initially and then does not do it again, until the next time it is started up and run.
Thanks for any ideas
CraigE

[vnx205]

Does it do it if you don't apply the handbrake?

My Camry did something like that when a wheel cylinder leaked and the shoes stuck to the drum a bit when the handbrake was applied. There was quite a clunk as they freed up. I know Defender handbrakes are on the tailshaft, but I thought some contamination on the shoes might produce the same effect.

[CraigE]

Does it do it if you don't apply the handbrake?

My Camry did something like that when a wheel cylinder leaked and the shoes stuck to the drum a bit when the handbrake was applied. There was quite a clunk as they freed up. I know Defender handbrakes are on the tailshaft, but I thought some contamination on the shoes might produce the same effect.
It is doing it with and without the handbrake applied, feels like something stuck and then suddenly releasing.

[ericpicc]

That sounds like it could well be the handbrake.
Mine was doing the same and I asked my mechanic and was advised to back off the adjuster on the handbrake drum and the sound went away, rang him back and told me it could be all full of crud due to a bad leaking transfer case.
I've had the seals done on the transfer case, gear box since and no more clunk sound.

[Sitec]

Craig.
How ya going. My 130 had the same clunk on drive and over run. I learnt to drive it so it would'nt do it but when the wife drove it it got worse, then came back for me to... Pop the rubber caps off on the rear axle shaft outers. Check the play in the splines between the shaft and drive flanges. Mine had got that bad that I have no idea how it was still driving! New shafts and flanges and the clunk had gone! (Was also warned that if there is play in the wheel bearings, this will help these splines wear excessivly!). Choice was LR own, Hardened shafts, El Cheepo Chinese Specials and Britpart (with Land Rover ERC numbers on them.) I went for these. Hope this helps. Simon

[CraigE]

I am leaning towards it being hand brake as it only does it initially and there does not seem to be any movement in the bearings, axles or tail shaft. Will be pulling the hand brake apart this brake and work from there.

[Sitec]

No worries. Good luck in the quest for the clunk!