I was pulling out up a slight gradient onto a roundabout on Thursday when there was a slight clunk followed by a gentle grinding noise. My Defender 90 went no further. I engaged the diff lock and managed to pull over, and after satisfying myself that there was no longer any drive to one of the axles, I managed to limp home.
I've now had an initial look at the problem and have found that the fault is in the front axle. With both front wheels on the ground, the prop shaft turns freely. I then jacked each front wheel off the ground in turn and turned the prop shaft again - neither front wheel turned. If it were a half-shaft or drive member that had broken, I have expected one of the wheels to turn when I turned the prop shaft, which leads me to the conclusion that the diff has broken.
I'd be grateful if someone could confirm this initial diagnosis. I was surprised that the problem occurred without any warning - no new noises etc. - and that it happened with so little drama. I'd have thought a breaking diff would have sounded like the world coming to an end!
I've now had an initial look at the problem and have found that the fault is in the front axle. With both front wheels on the ground, the prop shaft turns freely. I then jacked each front wheel off the ground in turn and turned the prop shaft again - neither front wheel turned. If it were a half-shaft or drive member that had broken, I have expected one of the wheels to turn when I turned the prop shaft, which leads me to the conclusion that the diff has broken.
I'd be grateful if someone could confirm this initial diagnosis. I was surprised that the problem occurred without any warning - no new noises etc. - and that it happened with so little drama. I'd have thought a breaking diff would have sounded like the world coming to an end!
