2003 Discovery drive train not engaging - Land Rovers Only

hackery · 06-29-2009, 08:51 AM

Hello,

I have a 2003 discovery SE and it currently does not drive when you put it in gear. Here is what happened before it started acting up. I was driving about 20-30mph when suddenly the handbrake was accidentally pulled, the car stopped and when I tried to continue to drive it made a clunking/grinding noise as if the gears were trying to engage but couldn't. The car feels like is in neutral through all the gears including park! The weird thing is when you slightly pull the hand brake about 3/4 up the transmission engages and you're able to move some.

Thanks in advanced for your help!

Roverhound · 06-29-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

when suddenly the handbrake was accidentally pulled

I hate when that happens.
Go under there and look at your drive shafts you silly little man.

Capt. Ron · 06-29-2009, 09:16 AM

I accidentally bumped the drive selector into neutral and accidentally pushed the brake instead of the clutch before but...accidentally pulled the hand brake...

I've only done that on snow covered parking lots; on purpose. Sorry, no tech and no help to you.

hackery · 06-29-2009, 09:32 AM

Thanks for the prompt response roverhound. I looked under the disco and noticed the rear drive shaft spins freely while it's in gear, and the front shaft does not spin at all. Is the rear differential damaged as I don't see anything wrong with the drive shaft itself.

As for Capt Ron, forums are a place for help and suggestions for our fellow rover enthusiasts. Not to cast out your own opinions sarcastic comments of what you think happened.

Disco Mike · 06-29-2009, 09:49 AM

So, you have had a major failure inside your rear diff, either the spider gears have fail, broke a dive shaft or a ring a pinion failure.
How mechanical are you???
If not, you may want to talk to some one about your options. Send me your tele number and I can call you this morning.

Roverhound · 06-29-2009, 09:52 AM

Now it's up to a process of elimination. Jack up the rear of the truck. Spin the rear wheels one at a time. There are several things that can be wrong. Differential, axle shaft or output side of transfer.
You might drop the drive shaft and see if the pinion spins freely.
I bet you'll find that your diff is boned.

hackery · 06-29-2009, 10:30 AM

I jacked up the rear of the truck and I am able to manually spin the rear wheels while the car is in Park, R,N and Drive. The rear shaft spins without no turn to the rear wheels

Guess you might be right roverhound, my rear diff could be jacked..?

Hi Disco Mike, I am pretty mechanically inclined and very comfortable working on cars. I have time today and willing to troubleshoot some more if needed, thanks.

hackery · 06-29-2009, 10:34 AM

I forgot to mention that when I turn one of the rear wheels by hand, the other wheel does not turn and the same goes for both sides. Only 1 wheel turn at a time while it's in gear or park.

Roverhound · 06-29-2009, 10:50 AM

If you turn your drive shaft does either wheel turn?

Disco Mike · 06-29-2009, 10:51 AM

So when are you going to quit spinning the wheels and open it up? Do you have places to go for either a new or used 3rd member or axle?

Roverhound · 06-29-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

If not, you may want to talk to some one about your options. Send me your tele number and I can call you this morning.

Or we could answer his questions on the forum so if people have a similar problem they can find it with a search. Or gleen the knowledge for future reference just by reading this.

Disco Mike · 06-29-2009, 11:58 AM

On a rear diff, other then verifying that something has failed, the only other thing to do is tear it down, it is not like a front dif issue where you also a a set of CV's to also consider.
I wasn't being off with him, just wanted to understand, no matter what else he does and posts, bottom line it is time to get greasy.

hackery · 06-29-2009, 11:58 AM

Gentlemen, I appreciate all of your input! I tried turning the rear DS by hand and none of the wheels turn while is in neutral. DiscoMike, you suggest taking off the DS and opening the differential cover to take a look inside? I am open to that and at the same time I want to narrow down the culprit as roverhound suggested. I am also trying to asses the labor/time I will spend on it. If that is the problem, would it be easier to replace the whole differential as I am not sure what to look for once I do open it.

If so, then how does this link/price sound? Land Rover Front or Rear 24 Spline Differential

Roverhound · 06-29-2009, 12:09 PM

I don't know if you off road your truck at all but for a little more you could get a Tru Trac and throw it in there. It will be a hell of a lot stronger then a stock differential.LANDROVER
That is assuming that your ring and pinion are ok.

brian4d · 06-29-2009, 12:10 PM

I am not knowledgeable on the diff like Hound and Mike but it seems to me if the spider gears/pinion gave out you would have heard something, maybe a pop or bang from the rear diff. Like both are saying you going to have to crack open the rear diff to find out, something I have no personal experience with. Good Luck.