Difference Between Defender and Discovery/RR Front Axle

[dickyjoe]

Hi

Excuse me if this has been asked before. Can someone tell me what the obvious differences between the axle assemblies on Discos and Defenders are. I wish to fit a Discovery front axle to my Series 2a and was thinking of using a defender axle if it was a better choice. Maybe they are the same??!?

Rich

[JDNSW]

For similarity, you are restricted to Discovery 1 (D2 for example has different stud pattern, wheel bearings etc for a start). I am not certain of the differences, but they are quite similar and many parts are interchangeable. I can't think of a reason for preferring one over the other.

You are aware, I presume, that there are significant problems mounting either axle on leaf springs? And that the track is wider than your 2a?

The question of course, is why do you want to do this?

John

[dickyjoe]

Thanks for the info JDNSW

The reasoning for the newer axles include brakes, better steering angle, wider track, etc.

I know there are engineering problems with this but I reckon I could get it too work.

Rich

[Psimpson7]

There are a few dfferences between the Disco1, Defender and RRC axles, but they are very similar. The main differences will be based on what year they are and cover stuff like axle splines, and brake callipers. The very last of the Disco 1 axles and all the post TD5 defenders had the black rather than chrome swivels.

Remember also that all of the above 3 have a diff ratio of 3.54/1 standard, where as the series is 4.7/1

[JDNSW]

Thanks for the info JDNSW

The reasoning for the newer axles include brakes, better steering angle, wider track, etc.

I know there are engineering problems with this but I reckon I could get it too work.

Rich

The major engineering problem is that the leaf springs and the track rod occupy the same space. (there are others, but that is the main one)

The only really feasible solution that is likely to get engineering approval seems to be to lower the suspension by putting spacers between the spring and axle (in practice, this would be done by making the spring platform on the axle further from the tube). This could be compensated for by fitting One Ton/military spring hangers and shackles, but still means a loss of ground clearance of about 40mm and more fiddling with the damper mounts. Other routes have been followed, including custom track rods and track rod ends, but I would have a detailed discussion with your engineer before spending any money in this direction!

Of course you could always fit coil springs, but if you are doing that, you will probably do better to fit the whole chassis - which has other implications (the vehicle identity is the chassis, and has to meet all ADRs from that date - if putting on a 2a body, you would need to get a quite early Classic RR chassis).

Actually, the easiest (and probably cheapest) thing to do is to sell the 2a and get a 110/Defender! But maybe not as much fun.

John

[dickyjoe]

Yes I intended to follow the deeper axle mount brackets by using a spacer and use military shackles. I reckon the 40mm wouldnt be to big an issue. The other idea I had was to find a lefthand drive car and get the swivel ends from it and move the drag link to the front of the axle and use a steering link similar to some jappo trucks.

I reckon the 40mm is the easier option.

Rich

[Bush65]

Early have 10 spline axles, later with 24 spline axles have weak axles and cv's.

Also threads on wheel studs changed to metric, where your 2A may have imperial threads.