broken prop shaft...having trouble with drive!

[landyluke]

Hello
I'm driving a 110 and i'm having a wee bit of bother. I managed to snap the U.J. connecting my front propshaft to my transmission box (i went a bit OTT while going down a rough track!), i have removed the part and drove the vehicle home. My problem is that it will only drive when i have engaged my diff lock. Does this mean i have ruined my gear box? It drives fine when engaged but won't move in normal ratio gearbox. Any help would be appreciated! 

[ChrisW70]

This is normal, without centre difflock engaged the transfer box will put drive through the path of least resistance - as there is no prop connected to the front output this gets all the power, with centre difflock engaged the drive is locked 50/50 to front and rear outputs. It can be driven like this (obviously) but most people say not to drive for too long i.e. emergency use only.
Difflock can be used in high and low ratio.

[landyluke]

Nice one, thanks. Thats good news!

[bogie]

But still dont use it as a run about,fix it before using it!!!!

[Saffy]

What exactly is the reason why you can not run like that for 'too long' ?

[topless matt]

There is no reason why you cant use it for a long period of time provided you dis-engage and re-engage the diff lock from time to time.

[bogie]

Dont know the exact ins and outs  but a mate had the same broblem,carried on without a care in diff lock and destroyed the transfer box. As diff lock is selectable there must be a good reason for it being that way or you would not have it??? For the sake of repairing or replacing a prop its a big gamble,only takes 30 mins to replace a uj.

[Saffy]

putting it down as a landy urban myth until someone can give technical explanation as to why.

as for why selectable difflock... with the diff locked (i.e it no longer acting as a differential) and driving around curves and corners your going to get axle wind up (which will damage tranny in end) and tyre scrub if on high traction surfaces like asphalt (not a problem in mud or bumpy roads because wheels will spin out) . With the diff present ( diffLOCK not engaged) the front vs rear axle wheels are allowed to rotate at different speeds which is a characteristic of driving around a bend and no wind up is suffered.   None of that applies when you haven't one of the propshafts on.

[V8MoneyPit]

I'm with Saffy on this. I can't figure any reason why it should be a problem with one of the propshafts removed.

You have drive out of the transfer box into the diff. The diff is locked, so nothing happening internally, Then, it is transferred out through the rear shaft.

There is a problem the other way round.... if you constantly spin the diff, for example on brake rollers at an MOT station, it accelerates wear in the diff pin and planet gears.

Of course, I stand to be corrected!

[MuddyMike]

It will do no harm at all as long as you drive gently and don't use low ratio. The system is designed to spread the power over both axles, you are now putting it all through one axle so a light right foot is the order of the day. Nothing will get "wound up" as one responder suggested as you still have an open diff in the rear axle. I once drove an uprated V8 110 over 500 miles on front drive only, now that was interesting (particularly as I was towing) but no harm was done.
Having rear drive only in high box is basically the same as series Land rovers were built.

Mike

[hairyasswelder]

Having rear drive only in high box is basically the same as series Land rovers were built.

Mike

The permanent 4 wheel drive came first with the range rover..... 135 hp V8 running basically the same running gear as the 50 hp series.

Test showed the drivetrain inadequate in 2wd (twisted props etc.) so instead of producing all new running gear, they changed the transfer box.

[bogie]

I would love to know the answer to this one,as whether it is 100% safe?

[topless matt]

Been there and done that, no problems at all.
Have a friend who did the same when he shattered  diff, he ran his td5 at normal road speeds on 35" silverstones for over 2000 miles in just rear wheel drive and the transfer box is all good.

Like its been said above, damage will only occur with difflock engaged on tarmac with drive to both axles

[pondy653]

The difflock is only there for when two axles are being driven which has been said then allows the difference in distance being driven (the rear axle takes a shorter route when cornering) to not damage the drive train.  When you lock the center difff it just makes both props run at the same speed delivering drive to both ends of the car and overcomes the natural effect of the power going to the path of least resitance when one wheel looses traction.  Of course if one wheel on each axle looses traction i.e. cross axle your going no where (unless like Topless Matt you've spent a small fortune making your car virtually unstoppable and thats when you need a 360 eh mate ;) )

So to answer the original question, no problem at all with only 1 prop (front or rear) and the diff locked, i've done it loads and will continue to do so without hesitation.

[frosty]

  I drove for 10 hours from Poland to Hohne with only the front prop connected and it all went smoothly..so smoothly we forgot to put a rear prop on, the OC was less than understanding when it got stuck on the next exercise 3 months later!
 

[topless matt]

unless like Topless Matt you've spent a small fortune making your car virtually unstoppable and thats when you need a 360 eh mate 

This is very true  :oops: