Thread: Puma 130 question

Originally Posted by Ozziebotts

I've got a 2008 stock standard 130 with 75k on clock. It's a great machine (aircon, gear change clunk the only issues). As regards latter I know it's the rear axle / flange as I can see the play in it when stationary. Question is, why can't I just replace flanges rather than the axles as well?

Sometimes the axle splines are twisted or just worn. You can just change the flanges if you want, some just do an upgrade of both axle and flange to higher duty items.

Usually both the external (male) splines (half shafts), and internal (female) splines (flanges) are both worn.

If only one of the mating components (e.g. flange) is renewed, you won't achieve the full bearing/contact area between the old worn spline and the new spline. The reduced bearing area will accelerate the wear.

However the worse situation is caused by the clearance between the worn and new mating splines, which produces higher dynamic forces each time the direction of the torque reverses. The tighter the fit between mating splines, the better for reducing wear.

Because the stock half shaft and flange have clearance between the mating splines, they need continual lubrication. Older Land Rovers used oil lubrication and spline wear was practically non existent. The spline wear issue started when they changed to grease lubrication - similar with regard to wheel bearing wear as they share the same lubricant supply.