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

[Landy Red]

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 , 3rd, 4th 5th (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]

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]

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]

139697Did 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]

1 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/queenstown/taxi-chauffeur-airport-transfer/west-coast-tasmania-tour-guide/1182590116)

[rick130]

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]

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[bigwhistle]

[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 [wink11]

[Landy Red]

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 [wink11]

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]

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

[rangieman]

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.
And we never lift wheels even on easy to moderate stuff ever[bighmmm]
I will shut up now as we don`t need another thread descending :Thump:

[rick130]

And we never lift wheels even on easy to moderate stuff ever[bighmmm]
I will shut up now as we don`t need another thread descending :Thump:


:lol2:

[Landy Red]

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.

Just wondering if I need to consider be aware of diff ratios on a centre froma d1 or d2? Or are they identical and interchangable? I really don'thave a grasp of or understanding of how it all works? Where does one look to begin to form a bit of an understanding of these matters? I'm obviously not intending to do the fitting or mechanicalside of the work myself, but I would like to understand more and get myself better informed.

EDIT: ok so turns out google is a pretty good starting point! so am I right in saying all defenders have a 'rover diff' in the front and the ratio is 3:54:1 and this means that for each one trun of the wheel, the drive shaft turns 3.54 times? And all disco 1,2 have this same ratio?

[rick130]

EDIT: ok so turns out google is a pretty good starting point! so am I right in saying all defenders have a 'rover diff' in the front and the ratio is 3:54:1 and this means that for each one trun of the wheel, the drive shaft turns 3.54 times? And all disco 1,2 have this same ratio?

Yep. [smilebigeye]

[Landy Red]

Thanks guys! Not that mysterious after all!

[rangieman]

Something to keep in mind when looking for a second hand diff out of a d1/d2 as a straight swap in is you can only use their front diff as the rears run a rotoflex instead of a uni [thumbsupbig]
And yes all standard ratio`s are 3.54:1

[Landy Red]

Something to keep in mind when looking for a second hand diff out of a d1/d2 as a straight swap in is you can only use their front diff as the rears run a rotoflex instead of a uni [thumbsupbig]
And yes all standard ratio`s are 3.54:1

One last question. What do you guys think I should go for a disco 1 with 280K straight swap in, or a disco 2 with 220K. Apparently the D2 flange is different and will need swapping too? Or are these both a bit high in the mileage and I'mbetter looking for something that's done less work?

[rangieman]

One last question. What do you guys think I should go for a disco 1 with 280K straight swap in, or a disco 2 with 220K. Apparently the D2 flange is different and will need swapping too? Or are these both a bit high in the mileage and I'mbetter looking for something that's done less work?
D2 front flange will be the same as D1 and deefer[wink11]
Ks are ok for either as long as they have not started to elongate the pinion pin in the centre .

[Landy Red]

I haven't actually seen the diff for myself yet, but the bloke selling them, said, 'front diff changed the flange because the d2 models whent to a double cardon fron propshaft.' 'If you go the d2 centre you will need to unboplt your diff flange and swap it over.'

What do you guys think?

[rangieman]

I haven't actually seen the diff for myself yet, but the bloke selling them, said, 'front diff changed the flange because the d2 models whent to a double cardon fron propshaft.' 'If you go the d2 centre you will need to unboplt your diff flange and swap it over.'

What do you guys think?
Do i need to say it again a standard d2 front diff centre will fit and bolt up to your deefer[wink11]
D2`s have the double cardan on the T/C end which has a larger flange not on the diff end [tonguewink]
Unless this turkey went to double cardan`s on both ends :wallbash:

[Landy Red]

139830139831139832139833

OK so if anyone is interested. The chap I am getting the diff centre from sent me these pics. in order from left to right, they are: Defender, Disco 1, early Disco 2 and the last picture is later Disco 2. Note the rounded shape of the flange. Anyway, he measured them up and they are all the same thickness and bolt configuration so all good! I’ve got to say all Landrover people I’ve met are always so prepared to help another owner out. Great stuff.

[rangieman]

Just for the record my front diff which is a locker came from a D2 and went into both my Deefers Tdi and Td5 , Then it went into a D1 and now Back into a d2 [wink11]

[Landy Red]

Well I can speak to the power of this forum now! With the help of some research, timely and accurate advice, I was able to diagnose a problem, source parts, (with an idea of what I should be paying) and to get my problem sorted within a month(27th to the 26th!)

Thanks for the internet and thanks to people in here who helped by replying to this thread!! I put an add on gumtree asking for a diff centre from a defender, d1 or d2 and set the price at $200 (as suggested here) I had several replies, but had a seond hand front diff centre, within a week or two, (from a d2 with 220k). I then contacted my local landrover spares person in Tas, (British 4wd – ((they are an amazing wealth of knowledge and very helpful)) who mailed me out everything needed for the changeover. I then contacted the local mechanic, who has no experience with landrovers but heaps of old school know-how and expertise through working on mine vehicles. He then goes ahead and does the job in a few hours.

Now, here’s the good bit, and how the forum has saved me the big bucks. When he had the old diff centre out on the bench, he reports: there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with it, and even considers putting it back in; to look elsewhere for the cause of the whine. He sees the flange from the d2 centre looks slightly different, (see pics earlier in the thread) and gives me a call to check. At this point, having trusted in the information given here, I order to go ahead with the replacement centre. - Had he and I, not had the information gained from this forum, he may well have put that old centre back in and gone too look elsewhere; clocking up the labour hours and cost.

Later that night, it’s time to pick up the defender. The mechanic is nowhere to be seen, but the the old bus is parked out the front, (turns out he is on a job to tow a vehicle from underground) -hasn’t even road tested my defender yet..

So, I take her for a drive, sound is gone! I can hear wonderful things now, like the radio, or the lovely whir of mud tyres. I can hear a whole range of beautiful rattles inside the cabin again! Air Raid Siren Diff Defeated!

[rangieman]

Well I can speak to the power of this forum now! With the help of some research and timely and accurate advice, I was able to diagnose the problem source the parts (with an idea of what I should be paying) and to get my problem sorted! Thanks for the internet and thanks to people in here who helped and replied to this thread!! I put an add on gumtree asking for a diff centre from a defender, d1 or d2 and I set the price at $200 (as that’s what was suggested here) I had a few replies and had one within a week or two (a centre from a d2, with 220k). I then contacted my local landrover spares person in Tas, (British 4wd – they are an amazing wealth of knowledge and very helpful) who mailed me out everything needed for the changeover. I then dropped into the local mechanic who has no experience with landrovers (but heaps of old school know-how and expertise working on mine trucks.) he then goes ahead and does the job in a few hours.
Now, here’s the good bit and how the forum has saved me the big bucks. When he had the old diff centre out on the bench there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with it, and he even said he considered putting it back in and looking elsewhere for the cause of the whine. (Because the flange from the d2 centre looks slightly different -see pics earlier in the thread.) He gives me a call, but I’ve trusted I the information given here, and he goes ahead and puts the replacement centre in. Had he and I not had the information gained from this forum he may well have put that old centre back in and gone and looked elsewhere clocking up the labour hours and cost.

I pick up the defender that evening and he is nowhere to be seen (turns out he is on a tow mission to tow a vehicle from underground, and he hasn’t even road tested my defender yet…..Luckily he has left the keys in and parked outside the shed so I take her for a drive, sound is gone! I can hear wonderful things now, like the radio, or the lovely whir of mud tyres. I can hear a whole range of beautiful rattles inside the cabin again! Air Raid Siren Diff Defeated!
Good outcome [thumbsupbig]
Don`t feel too warm and fuzzy too soon as sometimes there is not as easy solution [bigwhistle]

[Landy Red]

Haha I know, but I am felling pretty good about this! Nice piece of mind to know that the axles, and flanges and cvs and the rest is all in great order too.