Defender Rear Diff Play

[simonpelly]

Hi Folks,

While the gear boxes and propshafts are removed, thought I would take a look at the play in the diffs.

Wondering what folk thought of the amount of play in our rear diff - 1997 Defender 110 300Tdi

Not sure if this is excessive or not. 

Many Thanks,

Simon...

[western]

That's normal backlash movement. 

[Retroanaconda]

Some of it will be in the shafts and drive members rather than the diff. 

[simonpelly]

Thanks for the responses. It does not look excessive. Difficult to judge.

We were particularly keen to look at this given that gear changes need to be "matched" carefully otherwise there can be a bit of a jolt/backlash. 

The gearboxes and transfer box have been refurbished. Wondering whether some of that benefit will be reduced if there is backlash in the rear drive train.

It may indeed by the shafts and/or drive members. Perhaps once it's all back together I need to pull out a shaft and take a look.

Thanks again,

Simon...

[Snagger]

Half shaft spline wear tends to be minimal at the diff end - it’s the outboard ends and drive flanges that wear, partly through lack of lubrication (worse on 300Tdi and later models), partly through the soft metal of the drive flanges.

Take a look at the A frame ball joint, too - that’s infamous for clonks on taking up drive.

[Sigi_H]

20 hours ago, Snagger said:

, partly through the soft metal of the drive flanges.

Thats right and better the drive members than the diff. The play is ok and you shouldn't expect a lot less. It the drive members are to strong, the failure will likely be in the diff.