worn prop?

[storm99]

Reasonably new to land rovers but aware that im going to lose a lot of sleep and money!

When i release the accelerator changing up or down, or let the vehicle coast in neutral i can hear a whirring/scraping noise. I'm quite sure its coming from the gearbox/underside area. Would this be a sign of a worn propshaft? Is it best to change front and rear at the same time? Vehicle drives fine and will sit at 70mph all day but its an annoying distraction that i'd like to solve.

Thanks, Mark

[Gromit]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum.

Is your truck lifted at all?

The best way to diagnose is to remove one of the propshafts, engage diff-lock and go for a spin to see if the noise is still there. If it is, refit the prop and remove the other one and try again. It's also easier to examine the universal joints and sliding joint with the prop off the truck.

When you remove the rear prop, make sure the 2 countersunk screws are in the hand brake drum, otherwise it'll fall off with an alarming clank when you move off. (Guess how I know ). If the screws are not there, just remove the drum.

If a UJ is gone then they are easy to change. If it's the sliding joint that's dead then its a new prop.

I've had a rattle that has been driving me mad for the last 2 months, only happened when hot at certain revs.Finally tracked it down to the exhaust heat shield that had fractured and sat there buzzing rather than having he good decency to just fall off and die.

[storm99]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum.

Is your truck lifted at all?

The best way to diagnose is to remove one of the propshafts, engage diff-lock and go for a spin to see if the noise is still there. If it is, refit the prop and remove the other one and try again. It's also easier to examine the universal joints and sliding joint with the prop off the truck.

When you remove the rear prop, make sure the 2 countersunk screws are in the hand brake drum, otherwise it'll fall off with an alarming clank when you move off. (Guess how I know ). If the screws are not there, just remove the drum.

If a UJ is gone then they are easy to change. If it's the sliding joint that's dead then its a new prop.

I've had a rattle that has been driving me mad for the last 2 months, only happened when hot at certain revs.Finally tracked it down to the exhaust heat shield that had fractured and sat there buzzing rather than having he good decency to just fall off and die.

thanks, the landy is not lifted, as far as im aware it has standard suspension springs etc. Do i need any special tools to remove a propshaft? I may be a bit thick here but if i remove the front prop (isnt this also known as a halfshaft?) will i have drive to the front wheels only?

[Paddy_SP]

I may be a bit thick here but if i remove the front prop (isnt this also known as a halfshaft?) will i have drive to the front wheels only?

The halfshafts go from the diff (middle of axle) to the wheels. The propshafts go from the transfer box (middle of vehicle) to the diffs at each end. If you remove the front prop, you will only have drive to the rear. If you remove the rear prop, you will only have drive to the front. If you remove them both, you won't be going anywhere. I hope that helps!

[zulublue]

Hi Mark

Yopu will need a 9/16 spanner to remove the props, it al help if you can get a 9/16 tulip head socket, I think that's what there called.

Help to lift onw wheel also so you can spin the prop.

Mark.

[Gromit]

Hi Mark,

Removing the prop shaft is easiest with one of these:

Full details here: Diff Lock Store

Jacking up one wheel on the axle you are working on, allows you to turn the wheel (in neutral, handbrake off) to allow access to all four bolts on the prop shaft.