My Disco spat out its front prop :(

[caitens]

Hi all,

I was driving to work yesterday, soon after taking off (either 1st or 2nd gear) the rear uni joint on my front prop shaft let go, freeing one end of the prop shaft letting it make some interesting sounds and impressions on the underneath of my car. Lucky I was only 2 streets from my house.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/v/1148881_10151630550092309_1228927150_n.jpg?oh=06ec 320eb10f17d4a0a8dff15a1dda0e&oe=521D2E90&__gda__=1377664151_094e51555ed59327438879520f09741 1

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/1234858_10151630550127309_914877048_n.jpg?oh=841b6 b3e5691af8d393d854ec336f363&oe=521CBE73&__gda__=1377663054_602ed6eaf9a376e6daa96aca026fb69 0

Had some time today to have a closer look, I got out my push bike and rode down to my car with a backpack full of tools haha

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1270840_10151630512397309_380706679_o.jpg

I took the front prop shaft off hoping I could just drive it home in RWD, but when I got in to go, I had no drive. I tried every gear (including in low range) but nothing worked. Does this mean I've done some gear box damage?

[spudboy]

That would have been exciting!!! Lucky there's not more damage :(

Did you try locking the centre diff?

[bee utey]

Chewed, screwed and unglued.:( You'll need another second hand shaft I think. Grease the unis once in a while, too.

[BilboBoggles]

Hi all,

I took the front prop shaft off hoping I could just drive it home in RWD, but when I got in to go, I had no drive. I tried every gear (including in low range) but nothing worked. Does this mean I've done some gear box damage?



If you have one prop shaft missing the only way you will move is if you put the diff lock on.

[caitens]

That would have been exciting!!! Lucky there's not more damage :(

Did you try locking the centre diff?

Yes! Unfortunately it was very exciting!

Can't believe I didn't think of locking the centre diff...silly me haha. Thanks for reminding me. Disco is now parked in my driveway.

Thanks for your help guys :)

I'll be getting a replacement propshaft/slip shaft asap, but will it cause damage driving around with the center diff locked running in RWD?

[Blknight.aus]

short term no, long term yes

[gazby]

Surely you must have been feeling the vibes from that worn uni for a long time, or at least hearing strange clunks and bumps under the car while driving about, I have seen a few trashed uni's over the years and that ones right up with the worst. Although I have seen the yoke eyes worn right into one another, 'cause that was what was doing the driving not the trunnions.
You are indeed fortunate that did not happen on a freeway or at speed, otherwise it may have removed the bellhousing and bits of the transmission by the time you managed to stop the vehicle.

[Tank]

Didn't you have any signs that the uni-joint was stuffed, all that wear and tear didn't happen in a couple of klms, no noises rattles, vibrations?, Gazby got in before me, great minds think alike eh! Regards Frank.

[Dougal]

They could have been really nasty. How is the damage to the floor?

[caitens]

Surely you must have been feeling the vibes from that worn uni for a long time, or at least hearing strange clunks and bumps under the car while driving about, I have seen a few trashed uni's over the years and that ones right up with the worst. Although I have seen the yoke eyes worn right into one another, 'cause that was what was doing the driving not the trunnions.
You are indeed fortunate that did not happen on a freeway or at speed, otherwise it may have removed the bellhousing and bits of the transmission by the time you managed to stop the vehicle.


Didn't you have any signs that the uni-joint was stuffed, all that wear and tear didn't happen in a couple of klms, no noises rattles, vibrations?, Gazby got in before me, great minds think alike eh! Regards Frank.


They could have been really nasty. How is the damage to the floor?

Honestly no. Had a bit of backlash, but I guess I just compensated for it by driving smoothly. I assume most the damage happened when it got spat out, but the worn down pins obviously happened over time. Scary.

Not much damage at all, a few dings and scratches on one of the chassis rails and a dent in the floor. Again, VERY fortunate I wasn't going particularly fast. A dodgy gear change may have persuaded it to break?

[SLOWBOAT]

Also check the flange end in the transfer case for damage as the bolt holes may be damaged.
If you replace the bolts you will have to remove the transfer case flange to get them in so replace the seal at the same time to save doing it when it leaks after you have finished if you don't.
You are very lucky to not have had further damage.
Good luck with the fix.