Thread: CV joints on a Maxi Drive

I apologize if I wasn't clear, or I am not quite understanding the replies and info. I am new to Land Rover drive technology. I have always owned Fords, where there are no Cv's. Just a front and rear dif with a transfer case. 😃

Originally Posted by Railey

Well it will move with the center dif unlocked as long as I lock either the front (Maxi) or rear (ARB air).

That makes me wonder if the transfer case is remaining locked at all times and there is a broken front axle/CV and also a broken rear axle.

If the transfer case is working properly it shouldn't be doing what it is doing.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

That makes me wonder if the transfer case is remaining locked at all times and there is a broken front axle/CV and also a broken rear axle.

If the transfer case is working properly it shouldn't be doing what it is doing.

I agree.

Railey, don't worry about CVs yet, just think about what you have said just considering diffs.

With centre diff unlocked, put it in first low and pop under and see which tailshaft is going around, that will tell you which end is broken, front or rear, the one that is spinning is no good

Originally Posted by rovercare

With centre diff unlocked, put it in first low and pop under and see which tailshaft is going around, that will tell you which end is broken, front or rear, the one that is spinning is no good

Good suggestion here! But, get a friend to be in the vehicle for this operation, and look from the RH side but not in line with the wheels, as broken bits have a habit of catching every so often..

Right, Railey, here's a simple (hopefully!) description of how your Disco trans is set up... Like most other older Fourby's, you have a 'live' solid front and rear axle, the same as Patrols, Land Cruisers, Series Land Rovers etc. Each axle has an open differential which allows the wheels on each axle to move at different speeds. (Forget your front and rear lockers for now). Now, where your Disco differs from the Patrol or Cruiser is that it has a 'full time four wheel drive transfer box. The others are selectable four wheel drive only using the rear axle when in 2 wheel drive.. (Sellect 4x4 and the two axles get locked together). As the Disco is 'full time' four wheel drive, it requires a central differential in the transfer case so as to allow the front axle to travel more distance than the rear axle (when on blacktop going around a roundabout for example). This gives you positive traction thru all four wheels when on a good surface... BUT... If you put your Disco on a wet grass slope, the drive can all go thru the transfer case differential, and all of it can go thru the front prop (rear stays stationary), and then it will take the easiest path and go out to 1 wheel (the highest wheel when parked on the grass slope), making your Land Rover 1 wheel drive and useless off road... This is the reason Discos and Defenders have a Center Differential Lock (commonly referred to as a CDL). Whilst stationary, the center diff is locked. This now makes your Disco just like the Patrol or Cruiser in four wheel drive. 50% of the drive goes to the rear axle, and 50% goes to the front axle. This means you can now drive up the grassy slope.

Now, here's where your lockers come in. If you cross axle your vehicle (or the Patrol/Cruiser) the opposite front and rear wheels will spin as they are dangling in the air. You at this point have the option of locking the front or rear diff locks. If you lock both you have a 100% true four wheel drive. NOTE.. This puts immense stress on the axle shafts as you can in the right conditions (3 wheels in mud and 1 on rock or bitumen) you can put all the engine power and torque thru one shaft!

So, back to your problem... As said at the top, with the center diff unlocked (handbrake off and wheels chocked) get a friend to engage 1st gear and slowly lift the clutch. Looking with a torch, you will see either the front or the rear prop spinning. If the front prop is spinning then your fault is in the front axle (if rear spins, its the rear axle). With friend still sat in Disco, again depress the clutch. Now select CDL and slowly release the clutch. The vehicle should move.. (If it does not, both props will be spinning and each axle will have a problem).

Now, hopefully having ascertained which axle is at fault, lift both wheels of that axle off the ground. With the axle on stands, lock the CDL, and place the gearbox in 1'st gear (engine off). With the ignition on, lock the differential on the broken axle using your diff locker switch. This will lock the wheel with the unbroken shaft to the propshaft which can't turn. Whichever wheel turns is the one with the broken shaft! (Last note, make sure you have upgraded shafts.. In the center of each wheel should be a large goldish coloured cover nut.. If you have a small rubber cover with 'Land Rover' written on it, then you still have std shafts and they break easily with aftermarket lockers... Pop each cover off and make sure that the shaft to flange splines are all ok.. These have a habit of wearing out allowing the shaft to turn but not the flange... also causing the symptoms you describe!!)

Hope this all made sense, and helps you to eliminate/locate your breakage! Good luck!!