Drive around without front prop shaft?

[erniec17]

Hi guys,

Last week, I found out one of my uni joints on the front prop shaft has packed it in so called the people at Hardy Spicers. They suggested that I remove the front prop shaft to avoid causing more damage until they can book me in to fix it.

It'll be another week before they can fix it so my question is this: Can I drive around for a week or so without my front prop shaft and will it cause any damage to my transfer case? (I removed the shaft this morning.)

What are your thoughts? Has anyone driven around without their front prop shaft for a lengthy period of time? Is it safe?

I have locked CDL to drive around in the meantime. Is that OK?

Thanks for your help!

Ernie.

[Ferret]

I think you will find plenty of people have done it, CDL locked in.

My own experience was it handled a little bit differently so take it easy till you get the feel of things. Depending on what model D2 you have you might find you have no ABS when the CDL is locked.

[erniec17]

Thanks Ferret, I have 2004 TD5 D2a.

Ernie.

[Disco W.A]

Two weeks ago I towed my camper trailer from Kakadu to Cairns without my front drive shaft, as Ferret said it does handle differently but you soon adjust to it.

Roger

[brendanm]

My Disco regularly saw very heavy offroad going resulting in snapped components. Driven back home without the front drive shaft on a number of occasions. More backlash in the drive train will be noticed. You are lucky to have the later model with the CDL. Earlier models had to manually lock the CDL from underneath if it was there.

[Milton477]

Drove mine for months without the front prop shaft. Just don't get caught doing burn outs with all the power on the back wheels.:p

[discojason]

Hmm, first post for me,
I am currently doing just this, while I await delivery of my new front prop.
I have a 2004 v8 auto, and notice that there is backlash when driving on the rear prop only, so I take it easy and don't accelerate harshly. Also I am avoiding travelling above 70klm p/h more for my own peace of mind as handling is slightly different. Hopefully parts come soon!

[THE BOOGER]

Welcome to the forum mate, I think just about everybody who goes 4x4ing will have driven on one propshaft at some time just take it easy and it will last:D