Thread: Front axle differential - options?

Hello there, just returned from a trip and my disco developed grinding/squeeling from the front axle. It has sympthoms similar to a worn propshaft - squeeling noise on accelaration, grinding noise when slowly crusing, frog-like jumping when accelerating. Checked the shaft and looks rock solid. Lifted both front wheels and there is play in both vertical and horizontal direction, at both wheels. Similar to a worn CV joint, but on both wheels the same time. When I checked it before the trip, there was no movement.

Seems to me that the differential assembly is gone. When I twist the wheels by hand, I can feel movement of the axle drive shafts. Has anyone had a similar problem with diffential? It has done 175t km. When I changed oil last time (15t km back), the oil was a bit metalic compared to the rear axle which was yellow like new.

Is this a common problem? Any way to rebuild the diff? I did a search and can see that they sell them as an assembly only. Any further check I can do before taking the axle apart? What is a chance that the splines on drive shafts are both worn as a result of this? Or is it only??? the hypenoid gears which are gone and allow movement? Is this work doable in a garage at home?

And last, what are my options? Should I get a new one shipped for $1000 or get a used one? Anyone wrecking disco? Any good source of a used assembly?

Thank you all for help!
Regards
Jiri

Before you do anything drastic... How much play do you have at each wheel? Does the amount of play reduce when someone holds their foot on the brake?

It sounds as if your wheel bearings or (less likely) your kingpin bearings need replacing.

Check the play a bit more accurately and quantitatively and report back.