Thread: Defender double cardan front propshaft

D2's run a different output flange on the front of the transfer case to the Deefer, especially to fit the double cardan shaft. I'd imagine that if you got a second hand D2 flange fitted then a D2 shaft would just drop in.

The double cardan shafts are usually only for those with greater than 50mm lift.
If the noise is only in fifth gear, maybe its the gearbox letting you know its on the way out.
Be careful with the aftermarket shafts, as some are for off road use only which usually suggests they will flog out rather quickly at highway speeds.

Yes the D2 came stock with a double carden Front propshaft. Both the V8 and TD5. I believe they even have different part numbers and price, but little can be seen if any difference between the two...

I guess once LR set up the D2 they decided it needed the double carden. The actual DC joint on the genuine LR item is not greasable. I THINK they can be pulled apart and serviced but not in vehicle.

Tom Woods have a good reputation and make both D2 and Defender flange types.

DC shafts

The Series 3 Stage 1 also had a DC as original but many have been replaced over the years with a "standard" driveshaft.

Garry

I had the exact same problem with vibration on over run and did solve it by fitting a double cardan shaft.

I ended up getting one made at hardy spicer with the defender bolt pattern as it was about the same cost as swapping flanges and getting a discovery one made, and they ended up using larger size joints than the disocvery does. Not sure if really required or not but I think my defender had a heavy duty shaft fitted previously and they guy there just didn't want to go down in size of joints even though he was pretty sure that mine was bigger than standard. I think I ended up paying around $900 to get the shaft made, they ended up reusing the front diff end of my heavy duty shaft as they said it was still in good condition.

It has solved the vibration problem, but unfortunately I cannot tell you if it will completely solve it on it's own as I also added caster correction radius arms as well (they were not enough to fix the vibration on their own, in fact probably made it worse on their own, but from my measurements should make it better with a double cardan joint).

My defender has a ~50mm lift and that with the caster correction also made my ideal shaft length about 70mm longer than standard, so a standard shaft might work but would be very close to coming apart when the suspension is at full droop. So that's another reason to look at the custom ones rather than off the shelf unless you are confident in the lift etc that has been done to your car vs just measuring between the two flanges and getting one made to suit.

Originally Posted by mattims

I had the exact same problem with vibration on over run and did solve it by fitting a double cardan shaft.

I ended up getting one made at hardy spicer with the defender bolt pattern as it was about the same cost as swapping flanges and getting a discovery one made, and they ended up using larger size joints than the disocvery does. Not sure if really required or not but I think my defender had a heavy duty shaft fitted previously and they guy there just didn't want to go down in size of joints even though he was pretty sure that mine was bigger than standard. I think I ended up paying around $900 to get the shaft made, they ended up reusing the front diff end of my heavy duty shaft as they said it was still in good condition.

It has solved the vibration problem, but unfortunately I cannot tell you if it will completely solve it on it's own as I also added caster correction radius arms as well (they were not enough to fix the vibration on their own, in fact probably made it worse on their own, but from my measurements should make it better with a double cardan joint).

My defender has a ~50mm lift and that with the caster correction also made my ideal shaft length about 70mm longer than standard, so a standard shaft might work but would be very close to coming apart when the suspension is at full droop. So that's another reason to look at the custom ones rather than off the shelf unless you are confident in the lift etc that has been done to your car vs just measuring between the two flanges and getting one made to suit.

"OVERRUN" is exactly when it happens. I was unsure of the term to use in my original post, but I only get the noise when it is free-wheeling down a hill in fifth gear. Don't know why the dealer won't reply to my email when I asked who is the manufacturer of the one he quoted. Maybe he thought I would try and to find it cheaper one somewhere on the web.

I have a Tom Woods double, double cardan shaft (both ends) - as I had my 101 suspension replaced which lifted up the saggy suspension. I have been very impressed with the Tom Woods unit so far - it's essentially eliminated the horrible noises that I used to get from my front prop shaft. (101 FC are notorious for chewing out front prop shafts, but that's another story).

Cheers,
GG.