propshaft UJ

[tomkbucks]

MOT yesterday.. passed BUT the disco has been ' vibrating ' at any speed over 60mph and im told this is the fault.. the front propshaft UJ, ive never changed one before , are they easy to do ? any advice ? also any idea were stocks them so i can get one delivered by the weekend ? 300TDI cheers

[landroverkeith]

any good local motor factor will stock them if i remember correctly there were 2 types available when i had to change mine  :roll: and i had the wrong one first time

I found it fairly easy with the help of a friend pointing me in the right direction

need some circlip pliers (is that spelt right) and well i used a suitable sized old socket to knock the the new uj into place just do it slowly checking each time u tap

it was a lot easyer then it looked to get the old one out and the new one into its mounting on the prop

im sure someone else will pop in with some more details

[Wolfie]

Not overly difficult. There is an illustrated guide on how to do it on LR4x4.

As to availability, whoever is your favourite parts suppler should have them in stock.

[tomkbucks]

must admit - first time in a year ive had to buy a part for my disco ! normally pick stuf up at landrover events - any recommendations ? just called my local landrover place - they have them on the shelf for £21 is that expensive ?

[Wolfie]

http://www.paddockspares.com/sp/category/DISCOVERY_1/subcategory/Propshafts/searchbox2/1__Front_Propshafts.html

I'd go for the Hardy Spicer ones myself.

[tomkbucks]

so this one ??

http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/DISCOVERY_1/Propshafts/Front_Propshaft_UJ_(HARDY_SPICER)_-_all_except_3.9V8.html

Must admit with postage its not far off the price of my local landrover place , will grab one from there today and that means i can have a go at doing it over the weekend ,

[Wolfie]

Guess so.

I would be tempted to get a couple, as the one on the other end of the propshaft may well be past its best as well. They often don't show any play when still attached to the car but feel really bad once you get them off. They should have no play in them and feel smooth.

[stuntman]

Well I'm inspired to do mine to reduce the vibration I get through the front and also the nice CLUNK when just setting off or changing gear.

Really usefull post thanks

Andi K

[tomkbucks]

humm not inclined to spend money i dont need to , they said it was just the front that was loose - do you really think its worth doing the back to ? in which case those ones i posted - would be worth getting with next day delivery - did i post the right link ?? cheers

[jnoshea]

I just ordered two UJs for my front prop from LRDirect. I can only feel play at one UJ but I'm guessing if that ones gone the other can't be far behind  :D

[tomkbucks]

right well bought 2 as suggested £27 getting tomoro and will have some fun following the guide over the weekend !

[mickelson]

having changed all of mine on my disco over the last few years, you will find it really does make a difference. Once you get into the swing of it, you will realise the benefits of doing both at the same time. Havent looked at any of the links on how to do them on this site, but i always just jack up the front drivers side wheel to allow me to spin the prop from underneath. if you have some form of chock with you, you can chock the wheel when required when you undo each prop bolt. save alot of time unless of course you have a helper to put foot on brake. I have a wife......... sadly not a helper   :(  LOL

[tomkbucks]

ah no not got a jack was just going to slide underneath... do i need to be able to turn the wheels ??

[mickelson]

definately, as you wont be able to undo all of the prop bolts. all you need is a bottle jack or a trolley jack. because of the driveline, you will need one wheel of the ground in order to rotate it. as long as the Transfer box is in neutral you can do this.

[tomkbucks]

right... should have thought of that ! need to find myself a jack ! and a helper by the sounds of it... cheers for your advice !

[Wolfie]

You can remove all the bolts with the car on the ground, undo the diff end first. Admittedly it is easier if you can rotate the propshaft. If the car is on flat ground you could always push the whole car - DO NOT move it whilst underneath, and make sure it is secure before going back underneath. If you do raise one corner, remember the axle stand.

Also the nuts & bolts are 9/16 AF not 14mm.

[tomkbucks]

9/16 AF not 14mm poo only have MM sockets ! lol oh well will get a mate to help and use his ! cheers

[KingWolf]

That's funny :?  when I changed mine earlier this year the bolts were 14mm. Maybe I have a special Disco...lol

Oh yeah, it really helps if you have a good vice and workbench at hand.

You'll be amazed at the difference once you've changed them, feels like a different Disco afterwards.

Mark.

[davidlandy]

a 14mm will fit , but not properly - 9/16 is the correct size

[KingWolf]

Well I guess you learn something new everday after all  :lol:

I've also got the propshaft socket tool thingy which makes life even easier, no more faffing around with a pair spanners for me anymore.. :lol:

Mark.

[freeagent]

a pair of 9/16 ring spanners will be all you need to get the prop off, you can buy a snazzy propshaft tool for about £16, they are brilliant (must get one) but if you are on a budget you can do without it.

I tend to jack one corner up (only buy 1/2" or so) and get myself in a position where I can spin the lifted wheel with my foot, makes life a bit easier...

I'd probably do both UJ's at once, its as much hastle getting the prop off as it is to swap out the UJ's...

[mickelson]

a pair of 9/16 ring spanners will be all you need to get the prop off, you can buy a snazzy propshaft tool for about £16, they are brilliant (must get one) but if you are on a budget you can do without it.

I tend to jack one corner up (only buy 1/2" or so) and get myself in a position where I can spin the lifted wheel with my foot, makes life a bit easier...

I'd probably do both UJ's at once, its as much hastle getting the prop off as it is to swap out the UJ's...

I sense a pattern here... having been in the Army for 20 years now as a mechanic, and having to make do alot on your own, this is defo the way to do it mate