Driveline slack in 94 110

[steako]

Firstly awesome forum, I have been looking around for a few weeks researching diffenernt models. I think i might have found one but have been told that it has slack in the drive line and they have put it down to the transfer.
I would just like a but of advice on what i should check before i lay down the hard earned and this place looks like the right place to ask. Thanks in advance

[JDNSW]

Driveline slack is usually rather more in any Defender than in most vehicles, but in that model excessive slack is likely to be one of two places.

Firstly the drive flanges where the drive axles connect to the wheel hubs. This is less likely on that model, as the hubs should be oil lubricated, but still possible. Repair is simple and cheap.

The other place is the spline on the drive between the R380 gearbox and the transfer case. This probably requires replacing both the output shaft from the gearbox, and the input gear in the transfer case, and while the gearbox is apart, there will be other bits need replacing "seeing it is apart", and then "you ought to replace the clutch while you are at it etc". As you can guess, this would get quite expensive - if suspected, get a quote from a workshop for the job.

Either of these can bring you to a stop, but locking the centre diff will get you going in the first case.

There are other causes of significant excessive play, but compared to these they are both rare and relatively benign.

Hope this helps

John

[steako]

Thanks it does help. I am a heavy vehicle mechanic so pulling box out is no issue and axles and flanges are said to be new so looking more like the spline. I would more than likley leave clutch to later date as this thing is un reg i would like to sort that out first. Now i know what to look for and also may have some bargining power cheers

[steako]

Also can i ask is a series 1 disco gearbox the same input shaft mounts etc. I will be using the transfer from one as ut is included in sale (if sale happens ) but will the box also fit. Sorry for questions just dont know much about landys

[jboot51]

A D1 transfer will bolt up.
The high range ratio is different.
Defender is 1.4:1
Disco is 1.2:1


Low range is identical.


1.2:1 makes the defender better on the high way, less engine noise etc.
Only down side would be if towing a heavy trailer, would make it hard to get the thing going.

[jboot51]

5sp r380 gearbox will also bolt up.
only difference is the shifter mount.
you will need to use the defender shifter and mounting extension.

[steako]

Great thanks for the info

[steane]

A 94 200/300tdi won't be running oil fed bearings/shafts/flanges unless its been modified by a PO so wear and slop is probably a given.

My money would be on worn centre diff shims and half shaft splines/flanges causing the slop, but diffs can add to slop and a worn a-frame ball joint will add further slop and clunking. None of it is overly unusual in a worn out Deefer.

TC input would most likely have been changed to a cross drilled version by now, originals from that year weren't cross drilled, which means not enough lube, wear, clunking and eventually failure.

Disco box will fit. I pulled one out of mine as the gearing was not great IMO. Bit more relaxed (but less responsive) on highway but everywhere else it didn't work as well.