V8S prop-shaft

[seb400]

My clunking transmission now makes the car shake/vibrate very badly above 50mph. I'm assuming that the UJs need replacing. Would anyone have part numbers/advice for the replacement bits?

MTIA
Steve

[Barkychoc]

I think it might be a Range Rover front propshaft, but that is a bit of a guess.
Its really easy to get off, 4 bolts each end and slacken the lockring just behind the gearbox and its then telescopic so it clears everything & comes straight off, I assume you saw that aspect when you did the body off?

I'd get it off and take it somewhere to get it fixed, I don't think it will cost much, or alternatively maybe find a landrover specialist and ask them to take a quick look?

[phillpot]

Providing they are the replaceable type (held in by circlips) as used on V6 S's, any proper motor factor should have them on the shelf, there aren't that many different sizes of UJ, take an old one with you as a pattern and even if TVR not listed in their catalogues they should be able to match it.

HTH Mike.

[GreenV8S]

Before you get too far drop the exhaust, get your hands round the UJs and see whether there's actually a problem here. There are plenty of other problems that could lead to similar symptoms.

[bil]

would recommend reco prop, link in links page at top of forum.

admitedly mine was from the V6 but gave them dimensions of my worn one, they matched and posted the replacement. if youve a large enough vice and socket set the change procedure set out in SH bible is relativly simple to follow.

bil

[seb400]

Cheers guys
plenty to chew on!

Steve

[ketvrin]

I took mine to a local propshaft recon place... they charged me just £38 and ensured it was balanced and were finished in just over an hour...

google it for your area...

money well spent in my book (and I dont spend a lot...)

K

[seb400]

My mechanic friend got under the car tonight to investigate problem. Both UJs seem okay, with no major play in either. One is leaking a little grease, but not too badly. There is around 20 degrees of play at the rear wheel before the prop engages drive shaft when rotating the tyre clockwise/anticlockwise quickly. There is a definite 'clunk' sound when it does engage. Sometimes there is an expensive 'tinny' sound when rocking wheel back and forth but we're not sure where it's coming from. Nothing is knocking against the drive shaft or gear-box.

Any thoughts anyone?

[GreenV8S]

seb400 said:

Any thoughts anyone?

20 degrees is rather a lot, I assume that's with the transmission in gear and the other wheel on the ground so you're taking up the play in all 4 CV joints, the diff, both prop UJs. I'd see whether there is any obvious source for the play - the diff, for example.

[seb400]

Hi Peter - yes, in gear and the other wheel on the ground.
There's no obviously play in any of the joints, unfortunately. All visible mounts seem solid. There has been a clunk on the take-up of drive for a while (I was assuming UJs), and in the winter when the car is cold it did 'shunt' a bit at pick-up without feathering the throttle. It wasn't too troublesome until a recent trip to Silverstone, when the whole car began to shake above 50mph.

Is it possible to remove the diff without lifting the body (again!)?

Steve

[GreenV8S]

The play must be somewhere - CV joints, inside the diff, prop shaft UJs. You need to find out where it is. The excessive play and light metallic noises might point to a bearing breaking up in which case you can expect to do a lot of damage if you keep driving it.

[seb400]

It's certainly not drivable. I managed to limp home (at under 50mph) and haven't used it since. Have only just found the time to get it looked at. We plan to have a more thorough look after the weekend. Will post findings then - thanks a lot for the help.

Steve

[phillpot]

Not saying its not the final drive unit ( diff ) but bad viabration would suggest prop shaft or a cv joint ?

there's a chance a uj on prop could be siezeing, wouldn't account for "clunk" but could cause horrible vibes, and hard to detect without removing prop ?

HTH Mike.

[Barkychoc]

Steve it might be worth dropping the prop at one end (just 4 bolts) and seeing how the joints feel under movement - if there's any stiffness etc.

[GreenV8S]

Unless you can confirm a CV failure, pretty much anything else is going to require taking the prop off anyway [sucking eggs](being careful to mark the orientation at both ends first)[/sucking eggs].

[seb400]

Finally managed to get the car out of the garage to jack up and inspect from near-side. Rear UJ has sufficent play to cause prop-shaft to rotate off-centre hence horrendous vibration! New UJs to be fitted next week. Thanks for everyones advice.

Steve

[seb400]

Had the prop-shaft UJ(s) replaced today (planned to do both, but didn't realise that they were different sizes. Anyone know what the front one [not the GKN Hardy Spicer Part no. HS160, Moprod UJ102, Quinton Hazell QL16103 one] is from?).

What a difference. All those years of accommodating the idiosyncrasies. I didn't realise it could be that smooth. I always maintained that my wife's criticism of my occasional bad gear changes was unfounded. No wonder it was vibrating so badly!





May have an induction leak now. Ticking over a bit high and there's a 'wheezing' on releasing the throttle, seems to be coming from alternator area though?

Steve

[ketvrin]

seb400 said:

May have an induction leak now. Ticking over a bit high and there's a 'wheezing' on releasing the throttle, seems to be coming from alternator area though?

Steve

Brake Servo ?

[Barkychoc]

There's an engine breather on the offside rocker cover just behind the alternator - either remove it and soak it in petrol to clean it out or just buy a new one - they aren't very expensive if you shop around, its only a bit of metal gauze inside.

[seb400]

Thanks again all!

Steve