D2 front drive shaft disaster averted

[barshnik]

Have the '01 D2 at independant LR service shop for some work (trans service, install rear TT, SlickRock front sway disconnects) and asked to have GBR's greasable front driveshaft u-joint kit put in.

Found that the needle bearings for the 'Hookes' joint were toast (rusty mess) - too many water crossings without grease, I guess. So, the whole front prop shaft is at the driveline shop being rebuilt.

I feel lucky that this was found the 'easy' way, rather than out in the mountains or desert. I've heard lots of stories about failed front drive shafts on D2's lately - check yours if stock, and you don't want to have a problem when it is least convenient...

John F
LV, NV
'01 D2, now with front and rear TT's

 

[discokid99]

good thing that they found that...how are you liking that dual TT setup on your D2? does it work amazing or what?

 

[barshnik]

I'm the one that had one of the few failed front TT's - even though it was nearly 2 years old, TracTech covered it with Bill at GBR's help. During the time it took TracTech to evaluate the failed unit, I bought a new front TT again from GBR. When word came to Bill that TracTech was covering it, instead of getting money back, I opted to have him send me a TT for the rear. I'm still waiting for the front prop shaft to be rebuilt, so I won't have the D2 back till next week, then I'm immediately off on a business trip for a week. So, it'll be a few weeks before I get to try it out.

Can't wait to do the swaybar disconnect for the first time while the Straun's are deflating my tires at the start of a trail...

John F
LV, NV

 

[discokid99]

the Slickrock disconnects are nice..ive got them and love them

 

[macklow]

Who is your "independent LR service shop" in LV, I assume?

 

[barshnik]

<<Who is your "independent LR service shop" in LV, I assume?>>

Bill Goodman - used to work for the dealer, started his own shop some years ago. Still the only certified Land Rover 'Master Mechanic' in NV.

West side of Valley View just North of the Gold Coast, you'll see a bunch of LR's parked out front. Phone: 222-0444

Much more in tune with off-road mods than the dealer, of course. He had the SlickRock D2 disconnects in stock, for example.

John F
LV, NV

 

[frickjp]

What did your TT do when it "failed" I just bought a rear from Bill, and it didn't hook up. I've had the TT in the front for a while. It just snapped loudly as the wheel sat there and the other side dug a hole. I opted to wait a bit to see what Bill thought, and while waiting, decided to go for the Detroit instead. I swapped it out last Wednesday, and she hooks now. The old unit is on it's way back to Bill. The odd thing is, while it was snapping and not turning, the truck was only digging holes on the far side, neither left side turning. Very steep hill, packed but loose dirt, flat surface, straight on. With the Detroit in the back, it now digs 4 holes. Doesn't go up the hill any further, just displaces more earth. At the beginning of the summer, I could crawl up this hill, now the top 6 feet or so are straight down, it's washed out a bit. Bummer, it was a good launch.

 

[barshnik]

<<What did your TT do when it "failed">>

Started making loud metal-on-metal clicking noise when turning, sort of like a failing CV, only worse. It still was transfering torque, but not for much longer, and the noise was bad.

Keep in mind, the TT only transfers about 70% of torque, not all of it. It should not be confused with a locker. They would not 'dig 4 holes' like a set of lockers. Great for my purposes, though, which do not involve digging holes or tractor pulls.

John F
LV, NV