Just got home, on the back of a truck :(

Well, today was fun. First the laptop wouldn't open the Rave cd, so I used another computer and got the gist of what I was supposed to be doing. Started out by removing hte front driveshaft. Then jacked up the front, removed the wheel, brake caliper and then undid 4 bolts and the whole axle, hub, disc etc pulled straight out.

We dragged the laptop up to the car to see what happens next. It showed the axle separating from the hub if I could undo the big nut at the centre of the hub. Then I would be able to bolt the hub back on and drive down to the shed. After breaking the breaker bar on the large nut it was decided plan 'B' was the go.

Plan 'B' was to undo all the bolts holding the diff centre in, then pull the axle, hub etc out from the other side and then slide the diff centre out the back of the diff housing. This was pretty easy, although there was a steering arm had to be removed. We simply unbolted the ball joint on one side and dropped it out of the way. Took the diff centre out, then re-installed the axle/hub assembly on both sides, bolted the brake calipers back into place, fitted the wheels and very carefully drive down the driveway, with the front driveshaft stub flopping around and a big gaping hole in the back of the diff.

At least now the car is in the garage, on a level surface, as all today's work was done on the road, with the car pointing downhill on a 10% slope.

I also now know that the car will drive with the front driveshaft missing. I was wondering how the centre diff lock all worked since there is no manual activation.

The diff centre is not moving at all, but all the teeth are fine on the crown and pinion. The planetary gears are still moving though, which is a start. Since only 40mL of oil came out when the diff was drained, then that may be the problem. The diff centre has been out before, and had been re-installed with silicone instead of a gasket to seal it all up. It wasn't doing a very good job though, and was leaking a fair bit. I'll have a good look at the centre tomorrow, and will probably drop it in at Aussie diffs in Currumbin for a quote to fix it.

At least it's not major damage, and I learnt a fair bit about the car.

ar', i don't think mr land rover has used gaskets on diffs for a long time, they are silicone of some sort.
the oil qty may be the big answer, also check the swivels and wheel bearings, as it is common for the seals to leak between each other and pass the contaminated lubricant into the next part to fail.
you didn't mention the quality of the diff oil you took out, it should be nice and clean with no metallic sheen and clear or almost clear.
let us know how you go with currimbin diffs, been meaning to find out if they know rover diffs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by harry

you didn't mention the quality of the diff oil you took out

---

The little oil that was in there wasn't too bad. No metal traces. Just a lack of volume. The oil dripping off the diff housing was like new. Very clean. :D

Seems I'm not the first person to have this problem.

Range Rover P38/4.0/4.6 Common Problems and Fixes

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by harry

also check the swivels and wheel bearings, as it is common for the seals to leak between each other and pass the contaminated lubricant into the next part to fail.

---

At least that's one problem the P38a doesn't have ;).
They're the same set up as the D2 - ball joints & sealed hubs.

Scott, you might find a decent 2nd hand diff centre might be the cheapest option. See how you go with the repair quote first though.

Check the ends of the axle tube for leaks, e.g. oil inside the front wheels and even dripping onto the tyre. There is a seal at the outer end where the axle comes out. Early cars had a problematical seal and this was the subject of a TSB. LR came out with a new seal that allows for some off-centre location of the swivel hub. If the axle isn't perfectly aligned with the old seal, the seal will leak and often quite badly.

Re the centre diff lock - that function is automatic in that the car has a viscous coupling.

Unfortunately, replacement isn't quite so easy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottW

Seems I'm not the first person to have this problem.

Range Rover P38/4.0/4.6 Common Problems and Fixes

---

Don't look at the picture of a crown wheel above that item. :(

Ron B.

The diff in the pic has definitely seen better days. The axle seals were in good nick. There was no oil leaks from the ends, only a heap around the pumpkin from the engine and diff. I think the engine leak was masking the diff leak :(

I'm dropping the centre off tomorrow morning to see what the damage is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottW

The diff in the pic has definitely seen better days.

---

It was mine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by p38arover

It was mine.

---

That's what I thought ;) although there was the possibility of more than one Ron B. owning a P38 :)

I dropped my diff centre off this morning for a quote to fix it. I'll have to wait and see how that goes...