Locking Differential for diagnosis???

[Chris Hyde]

I am in the process of diagnosing a clunking noise coming from the front of my 99 D2. It happens upon decel around 20mph or normal driving in the speed range of 20-40mph. Heres my question:

Obviously, if I remove the front driveshaft, the vehicle will not move, so....is there a way to lock the diff. so only the rear is driving the vehicle? I think the noise is the driveshaft, but not sure. Also, it would be nice to be able to drive this thing in the event that I rebuild the shaft.

[John C]

Chris, early DIIs did not have the CDL linkage (your tansfer case is CDL enabled but it didn't come with the linkage). Does you shifter say Hi-N-Lo? You can fit a CDL kit. We carry the Ashcroft kit, you can also get a solenoid activated kit or one of the real cheap ones that require you to get out of the vehicle and engage the CDL.

Your noise is probably from the Transfer Case side and not the Driveshaft. The DIIs have a double cardon non-serviceable driveshaft. How many miles on your DII?

[Chris Hyde]

Originally Posted by John C

Chris, early DIIs did not have the CDL linkage (your tansfer case is CDL enabled but it didn't come with the linkage). Does you shifter say Hi-N-Lo?

Yes, it does. Here is a pic.

Originally Posted by John C

You can fit a CDL kit. We carry the Ashcroft kit, you can also get a solenoid activated kit or one of the real cheap ones that require you to get out of the vehicle and engage the CDL.

But.....will this allow me to do what I wanted to do as far as disengauging power to the front shaft, but still have use of the rear?

Originally Posted by John C

Your noise is probably from the Transfer Case side and not the Driveshaft. The DIIs have a double cardon non-serviceable driveshaft. How many miles on your DII?

99,000 miles. So you think the noise is from the TC? What could it be?

[John C]

Nope, you cannot lock the diff. Your knob should look like this

[Chris Hyde]

So again, if I remove the front shaft, there is no way period to drive the rig?

[John C]

Originally Posted by Chris Hyde

So again, if I remove the front shaft, there is no way period to drive the rig?

Correct

[SCSL]

Originally Posted by John C

Nope, you cannot lock the diff. Your knob should look like this

Can't he manually lock the diff on that model year by reaching up under to the tcase & turning that bolt?

[John C]

He could but can you imagine how hard it would be.... the CDL was never engaged and it locks better when the vehicle is moving 5-8 mph... I can just see Chris trying to lock it while the truck is moving.

I really doubt that removing the Driveshaft will help, the clunk is probably coming from the TC (output bearing maybe).

I recently removed the rear DS on my Disco and the clunking noise gets worse with only the fron DS installed. It's a typical LR problem.

[Hank]

Center kit in the drive shaft.

[John C]

Good point .... didn't think about that!

[Chris Hyde]

Originally Posted by Hank

Center kit in the drive shaft.

Hmmm. Elaborate further please!

[Chris Hyde]

Originally Posted by SCSL

Can't he manually lock the diff on that model year by reaching up under to the tcase & turning that bolt?

Would this lock the rear only so I could disconnect the front? (perhaps if I could get it to lock from underneath?)

[John C]

Originally Posted by Chris Hyde

Hmmm. Elaborate further please!

Check out this link (thanks Hank!).

Yes, if you can get it to lock you will be able to drive it with one driveshaft.

[Chris Hyde]

Originally Posted by John C

Check out this link (thanks Hank!).

Yes, if you can get it to lock you will be able to drive it with one driveshaft.

Any recommendations on a good source for the parts to rebuild it?

[Chris Hyde]

Originally Posted by John C

Check out this link (thanks Hank!).

Yes, if you can get it to lock you will be able to drive it with one driveshaft.

Also, can you tell me where this CDL bolt/lock is located so I can have a go at it this weekend? Thanks alot for all the help...