Clanforbes
New Member
Hi guys,
Yes I have done some searches and have spent the last three hours having a good read through most of what I found, buuut:
Since I got my defender TD5 (2000), there has always been quite a lot of clunks as I let the clutch up but it has never really bothered me too much, just something I knew I'd have to see to sometime. The time is pretty close now.
Recently, after doing a fairly fast run up the A9 from Perth to Dunkeld I noticed later (once it had been sitting for a couple of hours) that I was hearing a bit o' a rumble. I'd replaced two sets of wheel bearing for it's previous MOT (front n/s and rear o/s) so I think I can discount them, but on later checks, I did notice a slight warmth in the o/s rear hub after a wee drive. Later, I jacked up the rear (noise seems to be coming from the back end) but there are no obvious signs of wear in the wheel bearings in the rear axle. A quick play with the prop shafts showed that there is a LOT of free rotational movement in the diffs, front and back (as expected from the clunks) and a quick check of the rear axle oil level revealed a disgusting greyish sludge which is meant to be my rear axle oil, on retrospect I suspect it has quite a lot of worn metal in it as it is kinda silverish looking and probably some water too by the look of it. Due to very limited time I haven't checked the front wheel bearings yet, to eliminate them as the source of the noise, nor have I closely checked the prop shaft's joints yet.
I have a week and a half of hols coming up in mid May so my plan is to replace my diffs, both front and rear with either recon or new units and probably the other two wheel bearings that I didn't do for it's MOT.
I haven't looked at the UJ's on the prop shafts yet, but these will be checked before I order anything so I can have everything I will need to hand before the work starts.... I'll probably just order some spare wheel bearings even if they are not needed yet as I will need them eventually, the same applies to the prop shaft joints.
So here's my questions.
1. Anyone recommend a good supplier for recon diffs?
2. Are there any particular difficulties in replacing them?
3. Do any of you have a "shopping list" (jamesmartin I'm hoping will answer this 'coz I have noticed he is brilliant at supplying parts numbers too) to completely rebuilt each axle from end to end, including swivel balls and disks?
4. Do I need any speshul tools (can't think of anything I might need)?
5. I know it's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string, but I'd also be grateful if I had an approximatly realistic time scale to repair each axle. Based on doing the job with the axles in situ and a reasonably competent DIY'er with a good supply of tools and with an occasional willing helper.
My shopping list would be based on replacing everything on the drive train from wheel to wheel excluding gearboxes, prop shafts, clutch, handbrake, mounting bushes between the axles and body, but it would include inspection covers, drain plugs, level filler plugs and prop shaft joints - since I don't do any serious off-roading, I don't think I'll need to add things like diff lockers, but I am curious about them and prices since I'm gonna be in there.
I will consider coming "darn sarf" as far as about Manchester to collect everything, if I can get it all from one supplier, but this would eat into some of my time to do the work, my alternative would be to order it all in advance, either, via a local supplier, but many parts would be ****part if I did, so it'll probably be by mail order. It'd prefer NOT to mess about with second-hand stuff from Ebay or such because I want to eliminate as many possible things that can go wrong by using recon or new parts.
Finally, a few beer tokens could be going spare if anyone local to me (Blairgowrie) would like to help out with getting the jobs done........
Otherwise, it'll be a case of wish me lots of luck when the time comes to start the work, which should all be planned and mapped out by then.
Yes I have done some searches and have spent the last three hours having a good read through most of what I found, buuut:
Since I got my defender TD5 (2000), there has always been quite a lot of clunks as I let the clutch up but it has never really bothered me too much, just something I knew I'd have to see to sometime. The time is pretty close now.
Recently, after doing a fairly fast run up the A9 from Perth to Dunkeld I noticed later (once it had been sitting for a couple of hours) that I was hearing a bit o' a rumble. I'd replaced two sets of wheel bearing for it's previous MOT (front n/s and rear o/s) so I think I can discount them, but on later checks, I did notice a slight warmth in the o/s rear hub after a wee drive. Later, I jacked up the rear (noise seems to be coming from the back end) but there are no obvious signs of wear in the wheel bearings in the rear axle. A quick play with the prop shafts showed that there is a LOT of free rotational movement in the diffs, front and back (as expected from the clunks) and a quick check of the rear axle oil level revealed a disgusting greyish sludge which is meant to be my rear axle oil, on retrospect I suspect it has quite a lot of worn metal in it as it is kinda silverish looking and probably some water too by the look of it. Due to very limited time I haven't checked the front wheel bearings yet, to eliminate them as the source of the noise, nor have I closely checked the prop shaft's joints yet.
I have a week and a half of hols coming up in mid May so my plan is to replace my diffs, both front and rear with either recon or new units and probably the other two wheel bearings that I didn't do for it's MOT.
I haven't looked at the UJ's on the prop shafts yet, but these will be checked before I order anything so I can have everything I will need to hand before the work starts.... I'll probably just order some spare wheel bearings even if they are not needed yet as I will need them eventually, the same applies to the prop shaft joints.
So here's my questions.
1. Anyone recommend a good supplier for recon diffs?
2. Are there any particular difficulties in replacing them?
3. Do any of you have a "shopping list" (jamesmartin I'm hoping will answer this 'coz I have noticed he is brilliant at supplying parts numbers too) to completely rebuilt each axle from end to end, including swivel balls and disks?
4. Do I need any speshul tools (can't think of anything I might need)?
5. I know it's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string, but I'd also be grateful if I had an approximatly realistic time scale to repair each axle. Based on doing the job with the axles in situ and a reasonably competent DIY'er with a good supply of tools and with an occasional willing helper.
My shopping list would be based on replacing everything on the drive train from wheel to wheel excluding gearboxes, prop shafts, clutch, handbrake, mounting bushes between the axles and body, but it would include inspection covers, drain plugs, level filler plugs and prop shaft joints - since I don't do any serious off-roading, I don't think I'll need to add things like diff lockers, but I am curious about them and prices since I'm gonna be in there.
I will consider coming "darn sarf" as far as about Manchester to collect everything, if I can get it all from one supplier, but this would eat into some of my time to do the work, my alternative would be to order it all in advance, either, via a local supplier, but many parts would be ****part if I did, so it'll probably be by mail order. It'd prefer NOT to mess about with second-hand stuff from Ebay or such because I want to eliminate as many possible things that can go wrong by using recon or new parts.
Finally, a few beer tokens could be going spare if anyone local to me (Blairgowrie) would like to help out with getting the jobs done........
Otherwise, it'll be a case of wish me lots of luck when the time comes to start the work, which should all be planned and mapped out by then.
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