Broken front differential?

[lostinidaho]

I have a 1988 RR Classic.
Over the past several months I have periodically heard a "clicking" noise from the front when turning right while going through a dip like when leaving a gas station. Very recently I turned right into my driveway and I heard a series of clicks. I always assumed something like a steering joint was making the noise. Anyway, I was curious so I backed out of the driveway the same way I pulled in. More noises. I went to pull back up the driveway but the vehicle didn't move. I heard the transmission spinning but nothing else...forward or reverse. Looking under the vehicle I could see the front driveline spinning. Putting the central differential into the locked position I was able to drive the vehicle into the driveway. With the central differential UNLOCKED, "park" does nothing. With the cental differential LOCKED, putting the transmission into "park" gave the expected results: vehicle doesn't roll away.

So, the central differential is fine but either the front axle has a stripped spline or a broken differential.

Any opinions on this? I'm sure there are....

And, what can I expect regarding getting parts (where?) and doing this myself?

Thanks!

[onslow]

It sounds to me like a CV joint has expired I had a similar problem with one of mine a few years ago.Whatever you do dont drive it if the CV breaks up it can get lodged in the swivel housing and jam the steering.
To check remove the drive flanges on the axle ends and see which one turns when you try to move off but dont run yerself over.

Cheers ONz

[lostinidaho]

how is the front axle put together? judging from what i've read:
- the CVs are inside the steering sockets at the ends.
- lubrication from the differential does not also lubricate the CVs.
- a CV can be accessed without dismantling the entire axle.

is that about right? i've only had the vehicle for a little more than a year and haven't had to dig into this stuff yet.

thanks.

[hamrendan]

The thing you are describing means that your CV is about to blow. BTDT.. It ususally happens when your swivel balls go dry from leaking. The new ONE SHOT grease will stay in there better even if you have a leak. If you have to replace the seal then i would suggest maybe letting the shop do both at the same time. If you want to do a quick fix.. buy a one shot and a used CV from Brian Kennedy "Sideye" on ebay He is in RENO jbriankennedy@sbcglobal.net . I bought 4 drive shafts ( CVs included ) and a pumpkin as spares for my wheeling trips. They were all in great condition, and a good price. He may have something for your car.. NON ABS 10 Spline I believe... ( my memory serves me correct from my 88 classic)

Getting back to the job. Its fairly simple, even without directions you could figure it out. Just make sure you get all the broken CV parts out ( if its broken) You can probably re use the old paper gaskets, but they are so cheap maybe you should replace them. PLAN ON DOING THIS SOON>> YOU WILL BE STUCK!! You can still get home in 4W/HI but the CV will be getting all munched up and you can mess up the housing. Till then do NOT HIT THE GAS HARD!!! ( that was my CV's undoing, while i dropped down to first and floored it going up a hill) Make sure you drain and refill the otherside with a ONE SHOT, and keep one spare if you plan on doing the quick fix, because it will still leak a little, but much slower than the old viscous oil that used to come in the swivel housing. Note if the one shot is going in really slow make sure the wheel is straight or turned (I forget which one it is). HOPE THAT HELPS

[lostinidaho]

Are there any special tools I'll need to perform this operation? I'm going to have to do this in my garage. Are there CV kits that will include all the gaskets and whatnot?

Who should I buy these parts from? I'm guessing I should open her up to determine what I'll have to purchase but how do I determine which type I'll need without taking everything apart? Is the suffix on the VIN?

[OkieRover]

Read this and you'll have a good idea of what your up against.
http://www.okierover.com/cv-joint.htm

[lostinidaho]

Thanks for the link to your site! You have addressed several things I have put on my list of projects: air conditioning, springs, and now, CV joints. Your narative gives me hope on getting these things done on my own.

You mentioned purchasing a manual. Which manual did you purchase? I own a 1988 Range Rover Classic and have seen several manuals but am not sure which one is the most understandable.

Again, thanks for your site link and I look forward to getting some of my projects checked off my list.

[OkieRover]

I got one off of Ebay. I'm sure it was a pirated copy but it is on CD and has just about everything.
Good luck! Glad the site helped.