Series 2 Rear Diff - Boken Wedding Car!

So after taking our 2a for one of the first drives of the year a week or so ago, there was a large bang whilst pulling out of a junction and we lost all drive. Everything pointed to a broken half shaft in the rear axel and after being recovered home, I ordered a new set (and wheel bearings and seals whilst I was at it) to fit this weekend.

When I removed the Half shafts, they appeared fine.

Bad news. What had actually happened was the rear diff had exploded into lots of different pieces and is quite obviously not usable.

This has caused a big problem as we have bought the Land Rover to use as OUR WEDDING CAR which is now just a few weeks away!!!


One of the fragmented pieces has causes a very small pin hole in the rear diff pan which I plan to fill, perhaps as a temporary solution, with a heat resistant metal repair paste (I don’t have a welder) which companies like Loctite and JB Weld sell.

My second problem is then that I am absolutely desperate for a replacement rear diff for the 88” 2A. It looks too complicated to rebuild. Does anybody have any suggestions? I only have a couple of weeks.

I think it would be a stupid idea to drive without a rear prop or diff fitted and this would also mean no handbrake etc.

I’m not in any good books at our house! Thanks as always for your help…

Oh dear that’s bad news , options
1. See eBay for new diff make sure you get the right ratio same as front
2. Remove rear half shafts and prop and drive in 4wd, your handbrake will,still,work,on front wheels
3. Hire taxi

I have a diff in my shed with a new pinion & crown wheel with new bearings it will need shimmed
& the preload set. I dont have any shims here but they are available from ashcroft ect
If your stuck its sitting here mate.
Cheers Kev

Try ebay, but search for land rover series axle rather than just diff, axles take up lots of space and people are always glad to see the back of them!

Thanks for your replies
Are the front a rear diffs the same as each other and interchangeable? Or do I need to look out for this?
Callum

They are the same but there are different ratios normally 4.7 or sometimes 3.54 and also need to check the no of splines in diff, So you can count the splines on halfshaft and it’s probably 10 spline
There are Rover diffs , Salisbury on some 109s and ENV

Front and rears the same, you can even fit any old defender diff to get you out of trouble, but DO NOT engage 4x4!

lynall said:

Try ebay, but search for land rover series axle rather than just diff, axles take up lots of space and people are always glad to see the back of them!

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This one ^^
Axles are fairly readily available and usually cheap as long as it is not a dealer/breakers you buy off.

If you are really stuck and cannot get it fixed in time get in touch I may be able to offer mine as a replacement for the wedding if it is ready in time? I am currently prepping my series 3 (2a front end look/grill etc) to use as my wedding car. I notice you are Leicestershire, I am Warwickshire so depends on where you are but potentially fairly local.

That's great everybody so thanks for the advice. I'll search again tonight and see what I can come up with. Thank fully my daily driver is large enough to fit an axle in!
Callum

dag019 said:

This one ^^
Axles are fairly readily available and usually cheap as long as it is not a dealer/breakers you buy off.

If you are really stuck and cannot get it fixed in time get in touch I may be able to offer mine as a replacement for the wedding if it is ready in time? I am currently prepping my series 3 (2a front end look/grill etc) to use as my wedding car. I notice you are Leicestershire, I am Warwickshire so depends on where you are but potentially fairly local.

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Thanks so much for the offer which we really appreciate! Providing I can find a suitable diff we SHOULD have everything repaired for the big day but we'll keep you posted!
Callum

Delilah'71 said:

Thanks so much for the offer which we really appreciate! Providing I can find a suitable diff we SHOULD have everything repaired for the big day but we'll keep you posted!
Callum

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Before refitting the diff make sure all the studs are tight, they are not actually studs but bolts threaded from the inside of the diff housing, then to to stop them coming undone thier heads are drilled and wired together.

With the rear diff out....you could always just select 4x4 high.....it will get you to the church and back then....on front wheel drive only.