Thread: Front diff diagnosis

Just wondering if someone can confirm my diagnosis.

I was driving up a (very) steep hill yesterday when I started losing drive. The car slowed to a standstill so I stopped and put it in Neutral. I dropped down into 1 and tried to set off but nothing. I engaged CDL and managed to get moving, then parked up. There was no obvious smell or sound either before or afterwards (other than a bit of a faint grating/rattling when I engaged Park).

I managed to get home with CDL on. Tried again at home but still no drive without CDL.

So I jacked up each wheel in turn and with the car in D and the CDL engaged I tried to turn each wheel. Neither rear wheel would move but both front wheels would turn freely and independently (with all three other wheels on the ground). I am assuming that as both of them are turning then the front diff/final drive housing is the issue rather than a CV joint or half-shaft as I am guessing that otherwise only one side would turn(?) I appreciate that it does not make a massive difference to the way I approach the task ahead of me but I am just trying to prepare myself for what to expect.

Thanks

Paul

1998 Discovery V8i Auto

Thanks. I couldn't quite convince myself one way or the other. I did notice that when I moved the RHS wheel there seemed to be some movement inside the axle but with the LHS there wasn't. So maybe I'll start taking the LHS apart first. Either way it's coming apart :-$