Front drive shaft check? - Land Rovers Only

drum655 · 05-01-2006, 09:50 AM

Is there a way to see if your front drive shaft joints are going bad without removing the shaft. I don't suspect mine are bad (i have no vibrations) but with all the talk i would like to know for sure!

Disco Mike · 05-01-2006, 09:55 AM

If you have over 50,000 miles on that double cardon, replace them cause the next warning you could get is your transmisson blowing up when that joint fails.
I changed my at just under 36,000 miles and of the 8 cups, 4 had turned the bearings to dust.
Get a kit from Bill at GBR or a set of Spicers plus the center ball.
Mike

drum655 · 05-01-2006, 10:02 AM

how much will that set me back, and how easy is it?

Funrover · 05-01-2006, 11:24 AM

I know u-joints are easy.... I have not looked into a D2 yet..... You will be fine man!!

Disco Mike · 05-01-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drum655

how much will that set me back, and how easy is it?

For a good set of U-joints or the kit from Bill you are looking at $80 to $100. If you have never done a double cardon, pull off the drive shaft and have a local shop do the switch. They will probably charge you around an hours labor.

Mike

guitar588 · 05-01-2006, 03:45 PM

hey mike how do i know if the previous owner hadnt changed the joints? whats a way i can tell

Disco Mike · 05-01-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitar588

hey mike how do i know if the previous owner hadnt changed the joints? whats a way i can tell

Take a look at the u-joints on the double cardon and see if they have grease jerks so they can be greased. If they do, someone has changed them and you are OK. Also add a grease jerk to both the drive shafte slip joints, they are predrilled from the factory and capped. Grease will allow the drive shaft to strech easier with out binding.
Mike

wade · 05-01-2006, 06:14 PM

Mike,
On my D1, the front drive seems to have lots of play. Some posts I've read say some is normal, but I'm concerned. Can I tell if my U Joints need replacing on a D1 by checking to see if grease zerts are there? Also, is there an easy way to check the front differential...I'm wondering if the pinion gear is worn. Thanks.

Disco Mike · 05-01-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wade

Mike,
On my D1, the front drive seems to have lots of play. Some posts I've read say some is normal, but I'm concerned. Can I tell if my U Joints need replacing on a D1 by checking to see if grease zerts are there? Also, is there an easy way to check the front differential...I'm wondering if the pinion gear is worn. Thanks.

Wade,
If it aint broke don't fix it. I wouldn't worry about your ring and pinion unless you see lots of metal in your diff oil.
Your front shaft didn't have a doble cardon so don't worry about that. When you say it is loose, do you have wiggle movement in one of the joints or does the drive shaft turn a little? If it turns a little, most likely OK and normal.
Mike

wade · 05-01-2006, 07:31 PM

Watching it, moving from drive to reverse, there is quite a bit of rotation. I can't move it with a screwdriver, but I'd say it is moving 12 degrees. If it is normal, I'm glad...the next warning is the transmission coming apart sort of unnerved me. Thanks.

guitar588 · 05-01-2006, 09:22 PM

well i dont have experience on grease fittings and such, so could you run by me how they look, these grease jerks?

SCSL · 05-02-2006, 03:32 AM

They are like little protruding nipples, about 1/4" diameter. They will be on the shaft itself, as well as in each of the joints. You can buy a greasegun from any autoparts store - the fitting is universal. I suggest the type of grease labelled for use with marine trailers. It's highly water resistant.

O.B. · 05-02-2006, 05:23 AM

They're called "zerks", not "jerks". Greese jerks are those guys at quicky lube

Also, just because they have zerks doen't mean your u-joints are good, it just means they've been replaced at one time. To really know if they're good, you should remove the driveshaft and feel for free movement without excess play of the cardon joint. $00.02

05-01-2006, 09:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
drum655 Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 954 Gallery: 0	Front drive shaft check? Is there a way to see if your front drive shaft joints are going bad without removing the shaft. I don't suspect mine are bad (i have no vibrations) but with all the talk i would like to know for sure! __________________ Moderator of the East Coast and Discovery 2 sections! 2001 Disco II SE w/CDL ~Equipe 4x4 Winch Bumper ~Custom steel rear bumper ~Equipe 4x4 steering skid and radiator skid ~RTE rocksliders ~QT services front and rear diff guards ~2" RTE lift ~265/75 r16 Federal Couragia MTs ~Superwinch X9 ~Safety Devices Roof Rack

05-01-2006, 10:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
drum655 Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 954 Gallery: 0	how much will that set me back, and how easy is it? __________________ Moderator of the East Coast and Discovery 2 sections! 2001 Disco II SE w/CDL ~Equipe 4x4 Winch Bumper ~Custom steel rear bumper ~Equipe 4x4 steering skid and radiator skid ~RTE rocksliders ~QT services front and rear diff guards ~2" RTE lift ~265/75 r16 Federal Couragia MTs ~Superwinch X9 ~Safety Devices Roof Rack

05-01-2006, 06:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
wade Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 131 Gallery: 0	lots of play up front Mike, On my D1, the front drive seems to have lots of play. Some posts I've read say some is normal, but I'm concerned. Can I tell if my U Joints need replacing on a D1 by checking to see if grease zerts are there? Also, is there an easy way to check the front differential...I'm wondering if the pinion gear is worn. Thanks. __________________ Wade Location: Texas

05-01-2006, 07:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
wade Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 131 Gallery: 0	I had a friend move from drive to reverse Watching it, moving from drive to reverse, there is quite a bit of rotation. I can't move it with a screwdriver, but I'd say it is moving 12 degrees. If it is normal, I'm glad...the next warning is the transmission coming apart sort of unnerved me. Thanks. __________________ Wade Location: Texas

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05-01-2006, 09:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,327 Gallery: 0	If you have over 50,000 miles on that double cardon, replace them cause the next warning you could get is your transmisson blowing up when that joint fails. I changed my at just under 36,000 miles and of the 8 cups, 4 had turned the bearings to dust. Get a kit from Bill at GBR or a set of Spicers plus the center ball. Mike

05-01-2006, 03:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
guitar588 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 174 Gallery: 0	hey mike how do i know if the previous owner hadnt changed the joints? whats a way i can tell

05-01-2006, 09:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
guitar588 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 174 Gallery: 0	well i dont have experience on grease fittings and such, so could you run by me how they look, these grease jerks?

05-02-2006, 03:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
SCSL Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,841 Gallery: 0	They are like little protruding nipples, about 1/4" diameter. They will be on the shaft itself, as well as in each of the joints. You can buy a greasegun from any autoparts store - the fitting is universal. I suggest the type of grease labelled for use with marine trailers. It's highly water resistant.

05-02-2006, 05:23 AM	#13 (permalink)
O.B. Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 234 Gallery: 0	They're called "zerks", not "jerks". Greese jerks are those guys at quicky lube Also, just because they have zerks doen't mean your u-joints are good, it just means they've been replaced at one time. To really know if they're good, you should remove the driveshaft and feel for free movement without excess play of the cardon joint. $00.02

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