Whats that noise

[Snooky]

Have posted this on other forums, but as new to here decided to try and get some more advice.

Got a nice rumbling noise which appears to be coming from the rear Diff, but this is only when not accelerating, I.E. Freewheeling or on a balanced throttle. Am guessing at the rear as seems louder when sat in the back.
Since buying the 90 I have replaced the bushes all round, greased all the propshafts within the last week and checked all oil levels. Propshafts appear to be fine, hardly any if no movement on the UJ's
Wondering if it might be the rear diff bearings and if so anyone know the best place to get these, standard rover diff on a '88 plated 2.5TD
There is the normal clonk when changing gear but can live with that and tend to be light on the gear changes now.

[Budgie]

If you've got ANY movement in the propshaft U/Js then change them. Sometimes the full extent of the movement isn't clear until you remove the propshaft from the vehicle.

If these are OK and you think it could be the rear diff bearing then have a word with Ashcrofts or have a look in the For Sale section to see if anyone has a spare diff. The good thing is that your diff is fitted to 90's, Range Rovers and 200 series Discos. It's a 3.54:1 ratio and I think yours will be the 10 spline type so there are plenty around.

As for the "clunk" from the transfer box, you can illiminate some of it by fitting a new, cross-drilled, output gear. They are £45 from Ashcrofts and will take out some of the slack.
If the gearbox mainshaft is too worn then this won't make much difference and a new mainshaft & input gear is the only way round it. These can just round off and the first you know about it is when you loose drive!!  

[hobbit]

Benn having probs with the same problem for a while now, most of the noise on mine actually turned out to be the splines on the prop shafts, grab the two sections of the prop and twist them like ringing a cloth, backwards and forwards.

The noise mainly was the sliding splines being worn, on both shafts

[extreme90]

is it a drum or disc break axle ?
has the vehical got a lift on it ? as this will cause the odd rumble sound on overrun as the angle of the nose on the diff will change ( no sarcy comments mike  :shock:  :lol:  )
have you changed the diff oil to see what comes out ?
the diff flange could need tightenin...see if there any lateral play on the flange
danny

[Snooky]

Just popped in to the guys at Challanger 4x4 and they have checked the prop shafts front and rear and checked the play in the rear diff and say all looks fine to them, so their opinion was to remove the rear prop shaft and drive with diff lock engaged, will at least point to front or rear problem as we all know how much noise can travel round these things  :lol:

[Snooky]

Was a seized UJ on the rear prop shaft, stopped in at Safari Engineering in Eversley and they had a quick look, dropped the shaft and sorted it in no time, and at a good price as well.
Even though I could have done it, the fact that I didn't have a 9/16 spanner was a slight issue, but all sorted and would say nice and quiet, but it's still a defender  :lol: