Series 3 2 wd high not engaging, any thoughts?

Patrick928 · Jul 20, 2020

I just took delivery of a 1982 Land Rover series 3 lightweight, ex-Dutch military, only to find out the car only drives in 4 wd modes, high & low, but not in 2 wd. Any advice on what the problem can be? The car was shipped roughly 1200 miles on the back of a truck and a lot of the bolts were loose and I actually found a few missing. Is it possible the linkage disconnected? I'm not real familiar these vehicles.

I just put it in gear and the shaft spins, but the axle is not engaging.

tottot · Jul 20, 2020

Pull your half shaft's, most likely one has bust.

arkas · Jul 20, 2020

If the rear prop shaft is spinning in 2WD mode but you're not going anywhere, it's a rear axle problem. In 4WD in your case, the car's being driven by the front axle only.

Check your rear half shafts to make sure they aren't broken or have been removed for towing; unbolt the drive flange in the middle of both hubs and withdraw the shaft completely. Should have splines on both ends and not a sheared end.

If the half shafts are good, then you've got a rear diff problem. Jack up both rear wheels, apply the handbrake and spin one wheel by hand; the other one should spin in the opposite direction. If it does, you've got a damaged pinion/crown gear. If it doesn't, then the spur gears are damaged. Either way, the diff cover needs to be removed so you can see what's going on inside.

John S · Jul 21, 2020

And don’t drive around you’ll wreck the transmission.

Patrick928 · Jul 22, 2020

arkas said:
If the rear prop shaft is spinning in 2WD mode but you're not going anywhere, it's a rear axle problem. In 4WD in your case, the car's being driven by the front axle only.

Check your rear half shafts to make sure they aren't broken or have been removed for towing; unbolt the drive flange in the middle of both hubs and withdraw the shaft completely. Should have splines on both ends and not a sheared end.

If the half shafts are good, then you've got a rear diff problem. Jack up both rear wheels, apply the handbrake and spin one wheel by hand; the other one should spin in the opposite direction. If it does, you've got a damaged pinion/crown gear. If it doesn't, then the spur gears are damaged. Either way, the diff cover needs to be removed so you can see what's going on inside.

We just got it on a lift and if I spin the tire the shafts moves too, but if I hold the shaft and spin the tire, the tire will spin without the shaft with very little resistance.

tottot · Jul 22, 2020

Probably just enough friction between broken ends with no load, Remove both half shafts, it's a quick job you only have the flange bolts to undo before pulling them. Take a look at both ends as may have broken at diff end or stiped the splines in the flange.

arkas · Jul 23, 2020

Yep, agreed - pull the half shafts out and have a look. It's the only way. If they're intact then pull the diff cover.

Patrick928 · Aug 20, 2020

OK, so the work has been completed and finding the correct axles proved to be harder than the actual install. One axle was completely snapped in two and the other was ground down to nothing. The Dutch military, 24 volt, diesel seems to be a little more difficult to get parts for in the US than the standard Series 3, but all is well in the end. Thank you all for the tips, suggestion and general support. Great group of people on here and I am lucky to be part of this community.

tottot · Aug 20, 2020

Good it's sorted.

Series 3 2 wd high not engaging, any thoughts?

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