Thread: D2 front drive shaft problem?

Greetings,

Well it happened last weekend! After reading this post as well as FenianEel's post and FenianEel listing the warning signs. It happened, well almost. After having a great time travelling South on the Border Track from Pinnaroo to Bordertown in SA I noticed when we pulled into Bordertown a sqeaking/chirping sound under load combined with slight vibration. Oh Sh#@ not the dreaded FenianEel chirping. Well being over 200km's from home denial set in and I thought if I just coast home doing 60kms/hr it would be ok. 20Km from Bordertown a fellow 4WDriver who we had previously met on the 'Track' passed by, got on the radio to see if we were ok and then suggested to phone the RAA. Why didnt I think of that I pay $$$ in subsriptions and rarely use it. So pulled over, phoned the RAA and was told they would be about half an hour. While waiting I got under the car and checked the front shaft joints and sure enough one was very loose. No I didnt check as closely in Bordertown as I was in denial. I decided to wait for the RAA for them to confirm what I found. The RAA came and the guy said, well its a tow back to bordertown and youll be there for the night. THe uni joint was stuffed and they would have to order the parts in. I remembered my mechanic telling me once when I queried a vibration that you can remove the front shaft and still drive by engaging the CDL to get drive to the rear wheels. Yet another good reason to have a CDL. Well back in Bordertown had the front shaft removed, took photos(still working out how to upload them be patient) and drove home happily.

Now working out with my mechanic whether to:
A: Replace only the uni joints with new greaseable ones
B: Instal a new complete OEM shaft
C: Instal a modified complete shaft with Landcruiser 3.5" greaseable joints
D: Rebuild shaft with new HD greaseable uni joints and ball joint unit.

So a HUGE thankyou to those who post info on this forum, your wisdom and wealth of knowledge is invaluable.

DaveF
01 D2 TD5, 2" OME Lift, CDL Actuated, Pirelli Scorpion 245/70/16 ATR's, Safari snorkel.

Greetings,

Sorted some pics, as you can see it was not too far away from BANG!! Approx 5 out of 8 sides of the joint cups were broken off.



Cheers
DaveF

I know Im in the U.S. but I replace the D2 front drive shafts all the time. The best luck I have here is using Great Basin Rovers in Salt Lake City. They offer a remanned front shaft with greasable fittings or you can get a heavy duty....both I have used with no problems at all. I"m not sure what kind of shipping cost's would involved...but Bill is a great guy to deal with. Just my two cents.

Some further info relating to my front shaft nearly going BANG.
The truck has done 142,000km, I purchased it 2nd hand at 56,000km and it had not been offroad, I could tell as it did not have any dust in the usual places. I have done a reasonable amount of offroading inc Simpson Desert, Flinders Ranges, The Coorong. Had an OME 2" kit fitted in March this year prior to a 9 day trek to the Victorian High Country where we tackled some amazing challenging tracks, would have had difficulty if the truck was not lifted, even had to use low 1st to negotiate some rocks etc, most of the time low 2nd was low enough.

The shaft is now in the hands of Peter at PCB LandRover SA being rebuilt with new double cardon joint and H/D Spicer greaseable unijoints, as per Georgesadliks post.
Hopefully wont be too $$$$. Currently driving as a 2WD with CDL actuated.
Cheers
DaveF

Sorry to have been so long in adding to the store of info.

The recon propshaft is in and working well. I lied about 1310 series unis - they are 1300 series. Parts and labour, incl dynamic balance, $180.

An interesting observation by the technician - "this shaft has been out of balance since new, and by a fair bit!" What a fair bit is, don't know, wasn't there, can't tell, no piccies.

There was little wear on original unis, despite balance fault and 150k. That was pleasing. However, now it's a greasable driveline, dynamically balanced and I hope I've put a hat on that part of the vehicle prep.

Cheers,

Pete

Davef
would be very interested in the cost of your new front shaft and how it drives etc
and service etc from PCB in SA


Slunnie

any comment on the "rebuilt with new double cardon joint and H/D Spicer greaseable unijoints' combination

cheers
Nobby

Originally Posted by NobbyTD5

Davef
would be very interested in the cost of your new front shaft and how it drives etc
and service etc from PCB in SA


Slunnie

any comment on the "rebuilt with new double cardon joint and H/D Spicer greaseable unijoints' combination

cheers
Nobby

Gday Nobby,

I'm not sure. It didn't seem to make a lot of difference to my shaft life if the DC was OE or greasable, they both standard size joints failed at pretty much the same time each year. The 1310 HD Spicer I never ran, Toombie did though as the tester for that shaft and I dont believe he had any problems with it. I run the Tom Woods HD 1310 shafts and so far so good for me, though I have not had it in long enough to fail or subjected it to the same amount of heavy driving, but it has done extended touring work without problem doing Hay River etc 12 months ago.

Originally Posted by NobbyTD5

Davef
would be very interested in the cost of your new front shaft and how it drives etc
and service etc from PCB in SA

cheers
Nobby

Hi Nobby,

Peter at PCB has the unit apart and it should be good to go Monday. Peter has recently had another Land Rover tragic join him to ease his workload(he was being booked out weeks/months in advance). As I am not a mechanic and can do minor things myself I trust Peter with the Discovery and know it is well looked after and I am not being ripped off. I would recommend him to any Landy owner. Good rate too.
I am looking forward to driving back on all 4's as it just does not feel right with just rear wheel drive. Backlash and new vibrations add to my angst.
Will keep you posted on how it all pans.
Cheers
DaveF