How do i check prop UJ for wear? Horrible clunk

[spy]

I have a clunk when I take up drive that I am assuming is probably gearbox mainshaft wear and maybe a UJ as well?  It did improve a tad with grease to the prop shaft UJ's.

Is there a way to check all the joints to see if one has excessive play?  If anyone can explain the process in monkey terms I would be very grateful! :D  There might even be a beer in it for you if your at towcester!! :D:D

Cheers,

Mike

[Hightower]

When my prop uj went I could get under and physically move the prop about, i.e. grab it and wiggle it around.
T'was obvious what the problem was.

[spy]

Move it side to side you mean?  I assume there should be some free twist if you know what I mean?

Cheers,

Mike

[Tyke]

There will be some 'backlash in the diff/box gears so you will be able to turn it it a few degrees. That doesn't mean the uj's are shot.

If it's a uj thats well gone it will be obvious. Get a grip of the shaft and waggle it up and down and side to side. If it's bad you will see it move and feel it knock.

If it's not so bad you could try levering the yokes against each other with a pry bar/big screwdriver. One hand on the offending yokes whil;e levering with the other should detect any movement.

If it is bad you usually get an attack of the 'vibes' when your driving which gets progressively worse. Don't leave it too long, it could do the yoke end of the shaft then its a bit more expensive to sort.

New uj's cost very little and only a bit of time and effort. Needs a big vice, drift and hammer to replace the bearings - can be done without the vice if your carefull with the hammer and drift  

[thermidorthelobster]

In a 200tdi I'd bet it's probably the gearbox main shaft.  I think the only solution is a new gearbox.  But on the bright side, if you get a replacement with the drilled shaft, it hopefully won't happen again.

[Tyke]

Think you could be right mate - sounds suspiciously like the 'Land Rover Clunk'

Gotta try uj's first though - if for nothing else but to rule them out - at least they are relatively easy to check and fix.

[spy]

Cheers folks!

Will have a look after work tonight!  Someone said you can pull the main shaft out the back of the box to check for wear? This is a bit beyond me :( but I was wondering if this meant that the main shaft was replaceable without taking the box out?  Silly question maybe but worth an ask. ;)

 While we are on the subject, would I be right in assuming that the gearbox and transfer box both take standard EP90?  Ive only just got this heap and havent yet checked the gear oil levels.  

Thanks,

Mike

[muddysteve]

no ATF in the gearbox EP90 in the T-Case


Steve

[Tyke]

Ive only just got this heap

Aha !!!!!

That puts a new light on things then . . . . . give it a few weeks and you'll think the clunks come as standard . . . . . then you'll learn to adjust the throttle and clutch control to suit . . . . a bit cheaper than a new box for now  :lol:

[spy]

no ATF in the gearbox EP90 in the T-Case


Steve

And here is me thinking that was a typo in the haynes manual!  Thanks for that!

then you'll learn to adjust the throttle and clutch control to suit . . . . a bit cheaper than a new box for now

Semi mastered already!  I was starting to think that was the answer! :D

[Boomer]

Two points worth mentioning re UJ's.
When you check for slack in the UJ's make sure the handbrake is off and the car is on level ground, that way it takes the load off the props and any slack is evident. Secondly, don't buy cheap [PooPoo] UJ's at 4 quid each 'cos they only last 10k (bitter experience!), buy GKN's or Hardy Spicer units.
Good luck.

[Leigh]

Make sure you have some circlip pliers. Took me ages with a pair of long nose ones  :roll:

[ibexman]

you might also check the a-frame ball joint on the rear axle.  well known for causing a clunk on taking up drive.
dom

[Range Rover Blues]

Cheers folks!

Will have a look after work tonight!  Someone said you can pull the main shaft out the back of the box to check for wear? This is a bit beyond me :( but I was wondering if this meant that the main shaft was replaceable without taking the box out?  Silly question maybe but worth an ask. ;)



Mike

I think that's on the Auto, and only with the T-case off the car.