Lucky me

[Mundy]

My Disco was in for its 160k service today. The mechanic found 6 sheared bolt heads in the bottom of the diff. Only 4 non tight bolts were securing the crown wheel.

I was supposed to be away 4wding last weekend but cancelled due to fires. Don't think I would have got home.

Lucky, eh?

[Slunnie]

Absolutely!

Buy a lotto ticket!

[Xtreme]

Front diff ??

[winaje]

I found a couple of bolts with their heads either gone or about to go in my rear diff. I pulled both diffs and threw all the old bolts away, fitted new high tensile bolts and flat washers. Both done for peace of mind.

[Wasa57]

Hi Winage

Lots of questions...
Can you relate the damage to a recent 4WD situation?
Any mods to your vehicle? Do you have a "doughnut" or converted rear uni?
Just interested in the cause, and if you felt any difference with day-to-day driving prior to the repair.

-Warwick

[winaje]

A few answers:
345k, diffs never been out
No 4wding done recently, had done a few hours of highway driving, but normally goes to work and back
30mm lift, newish doughnut

I heard a noise when reversing out of a driveway, then a few more noises in the 10kms of driving I had to do. Had the rear shaft removed, and had to drive 250kms home on the front. Drove around for a week on the front, a noise present that was consistent with wheel rotation. Driving to work had a terrible grinding sound like a pepper grinder. On dismantling found the bold head floating in the diff.

As far as I could see, the bolts had fractured. One head was floating around in the diff, and a second bolt was cracked over half way through, with the head on an angle. That was enough for me to pull all the bolts out and re-do them front and rear. Locktited and tensioned to correct torque.

It wouldn't surprise me if there is some scheduled replacement of the bolts. My vehicle has been to a dealer once in it's life... I do all the maintenance on it, but not to any schedule, maybe I should (but doubt I will) :angel:

[Mundy]

Front diff ??

Yes, front. Put a locker into the rear a couple of years ago, so not worried about it. Had no issues with front drive line until now.

[Wasa57]

Hi Winage re: "345K" Have you had the crank bearing shells changed?
Different topic, but interested because I have same vehicle at 286K.
Cheers,
Warwick

[winaje]

Warwick, nothing has been done to the core of the motor; head has not been removed either. Sump off to do oil pump bolt 8 years ago, exhaust manifold to do studs 4 years ago, the rest has been ancillaries like fan bearing, harmonic balancer, idler pulley bearings etc.