Help... Propshaft failure

Sam-W · Apr 26, 2017

Hi all, first time posting on here.

I bought a 2003 Face-lift Discovery 2 2.5 ES Auto at the end of last month, 87000 miles on it. After owning it for 5 days the front propshaft failed! With the prop flying around underneath as I stopped it caused damage to the gearbox sump.

I sent to a locla land rover specialist to have the rest of the vehicle checked over for peace of mind and they've come back today saying that the prop actually cracked the gearbox wear the Gasket seals with the sump. So basically looking at a new gearbox!!!

Spoken to the guy I bought it from and basically got its wear and tear and just one of those things. So want to know from you lot how long a prop should last and should it have gone at 87,000 miles?

Any help much appreciated right now as pretty gutted that I've bought a lovely truck and only got to drive it for 5 days!

doodle bug · Apr 26, 2017

Nice intro !!!!!

Sam-W · Apr 26, 2017

I know right. Wasn't expecting it to break that soon

blue beasty · Apr 26, 2017

Moved before you get the 'special' Anything Goes welcome

Mileage isn't really relevant, prop universal joints do wear dependant on what they had thrown at them and whether anyone's bothered to grease them.

They do usually make it quite obvious that they aren't happy well before they let go though.

Sam-W · Apr 26, 2017

Oops sorry did I put it in the wrong place.

Doesn't sound like it had been greased as he said there's no grease point... Although been reading up since and apparently there is a plug to be removed to fit a grease point.

From experience anyone know a ball park figure for a gearbox?

brian47 · Apr 26, 2017

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but you're probably not looking at replacing the gearbox but the transfer box which is where the prop shafts are connected to.
Regarding the greasing points, the screw in plug is the greasing point for the sliding joint, one on each prop shaft. You have to remove the plug and screw in a grease nipple to add grease to the joint then replace the screw in plug, at least that's the theory.
Many U/J's are "sealed for life", but how long that life is, well, that's anybody's guess. I have grease nipples on all of my prop shaft U/J's, including the "double cardon" joint.

EdoubleD · Apr 26, 2017

Sam-W said:
From experience anyone know a ball park figure for a gearbox?

I might get shot down here but I think it's the L230 if it's the transfer box as others have suggested. About £200 - 250 on ebay for a breaker part or £495 for a reconned one from Ashcroft transmissions http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/transfer-boxes/lt-230.html

Sam-W · Apr 26, 2017

Indeed it's the transfer box... Apparently can't multi task

Thanks, will have a look.

Sam-W · Apr 28, 2017

OK between working and trying to sort everything out with the disco I got myself confused... The prop went and as it was spinning it hit the Gearbox right on the sump joint, cracking both faces the gasket seals to. There's a chunk missing on the face of the gearbox as well as a possible crack higher up.

So it is looking like a new gearbox... Guessing that's not going to be cheap

Simon098 · Apr 28, 2017

Sam-W said:
OK between working and trying to sort everything out with the disco I got myself confused... The prop went and as it was spinning it hit the Gearbox right on the sump joint, cracking both faces the gasket seals to. There's a chunk missing on the face of the gearbox as well as a possible crack higher up.

So it is looking like a new gearbox... Guessing that's not going to be cheap

I see gearbox and transfer box going regularly on facebook for 400 ish as a pair. I think the transfer boxes are normally a bit more expensive than the gearbox though. Gearboxes on Discovery 2's are usually crap and not worth much unless they've been reconditioned.

gazman · Apr 28, 2017

your lucky it's a disco one. their are loads of 1.2 disco boxes around. The defender 1.4 box however....

I doubt you will be able to get a ashcroft or similar one as they want your used one back to rebuild and if the case is damaged they will charge you a additional £200 or so per box.

Personally I would look for a disco 2 gearbox and a 1.2 transfer case with a working center diff lock if you ever intend to take it offroad.

Help... Propshaft failure

Sam-W

New Member

doodle bug

Well-Known Member

Sam-W

New Member

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

Sam-W

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brian47

Well-Known Member

EdoubleD

Member

Sam-W

New Member

Sam-W

New Member

Simon098

Active Member

gazman

Well-Known Member

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