Thread: Rear Propshaft Flexible Coupling Replacement

The single unis seem to give very little probs. I'd guess it's probably the front again especially if they didn't lube the centre bearing properly. The rotoflex, I'd probably just wait until it goes and keep a spare handy.

BM
Regarding the rotoflex, there've been a few threads on this over the past 12 months and a number of differring views, you may wish to check out. I've replaced mine after some repeated failures with the rotoflex. My opinion is that if you only use it around town or easy offroad and the disco is not raised then the rotoflex is ok, but do keep a spare as Slunnie says. However, if you do a lot of off road particularly with heavy loads and bouncy terrain, and also if you have a lift, my view is the rotoflex is a liability and worth changing. If you do decide to keep it, make sure you check it at night when offroad.
Mundy

After 80,000km and with some surface cracking, I'd replace it since you are going to have the rear prop shaft out anyway and it will eventually need doing.

They are only around $80 (well for the D1 anyway) and then you can carry the old one as a spare just in case.

Good bit of preventative maintenance I'd say.

Just make sure you get the genuine article (GKN for a D1, D2?).

When I had my D1 it only ever did light 4wding and work around town and the roto-flex coupling failed at 90,000km. This distance does seem to be consistent so yours is due to fail soon. I would replace it with a uni but if you do not want too stay with the roto-flex but two and replace the one you have now when your shaft is out. Keep the other as a spare. If you shop around they are relatively cheap - as said down to about $80.

Garry

Thanks for the help all. Tried doing a search last night to no avail - helps if you know the correct or common name for a part - had never heard of it referred to as a rotoflex.

Slunnie - I hope you're wrong and it's not the front again. It has only been a couple of months since the whole shaft was overhauled by Hardie Spicer (they even painted it a nice blue) and it has only done one trip down to Perth & back pulling a trailer, one fishing trip east of Esperance, and a bit of running around town. Unfortunately, for the life of me, I can't pick which "end" of the vehicle the "chirping" is coming from.

Anyway, will get Hardie's to replace the single uni in the rear shaft as a start, and also replace the rotoflex at the same time, keeping the old one as a spare. If the noise doesn't go away after that, I'll be back talking with Hardies again I think.

Thanks again.

Had a similar noise on a customer's D1 300TDi recently. I rocked the vehicle in gear, handbrake off, on a level concrete patch. Turned out the front suspension arm-to-differential bolts were not done up correctly and were moving with on/off load. I tried tightening them but I couldn't get them to move. I told him to install new bolts ASAP.

Hi mate
I don't know if this reply is too late but here is the rubber coupling you are looking for on ebay:
Rubber Tailshaft Coupling Kit Land Rover Discovery 1 - eBay Universal Joints, Driveshafts, Transmission, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 03-May-10 09:42:34 AEST)

The price might be a bit high but it is the brand to get, I got mine from rover parts in Ballarat Vic for about $80 but it did not have bolts and bearing, so seems ok.
Cheers Matt