Unknown driveline sound - Disco II

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rico_vancouver

Active member
May 26, 2005
29
0
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Hi,

I have a new set of sounds emanating from under my 2004 Disco II that concern me.

The first one is a light clunk (i.e. if the stereo is on, you won't hear it) that is noticeable when you are in top gear but only doing about 40 mph, and you let off on the gas. A minor similar clunk can be heard when you re-apply the gas. I had the same sort of of noise with my Disco I, and the dealership told me that it was simply the amount of linkages in the driveline that account for it.

However the second noise is more disconcerting. Same situation, driving in top gear, approaching a light/stop sign, and let off on the gas... a rat--tat-tat sound for about a second. Seems to be the same thing, but just a different sound. At first, I thought it was another vehicle around me - that's about how loud it is - not so obvious that I was sure it was my vehicle. But after repeated sound in different circumstances, I realized it was me after all.

Any thoughts would be appreciated before I take it in and open my wallet.

Rich
 
D

DevilDisco

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2006
160
0
Swansboro, NC
How many miles on your Disco? The first sound is normal. There is a certain amount of play in the drive line that makes itself know under the conditions you stated. The second one however if it sounds similar and you think its the drive line I'd crawl under the Disco and inspect the driveline. I think Most '04's have a least one greaseable U-joint between the cats. If it has not been greased it could be failing. I'd take it somewhere to have the drive line inspected. If you are under warranty take it back to the dealer.
 
R

rico_vancouver

Active member
May 26, 2005
29
0
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Update: Unknown driveline sound - Disco II

I finally got around to taking my DII into the shop after poking around underneath myself. Here's what the indy shop I went to found. A high degree of play in the front driveshaft; pretty tight in the back. Their expert was away due to a funeral, so they were reluctant to say whether it is the centre diff or the front diff that could be the culprit. Anyone with any experience/history that can weigh in here?

Thx.

Rich
 
I HATE PONIES

I HATE PONIES

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2006
4,864
0
Re: Update: Unknown driveline sound - Disco II

rico_vancouver said:
I finally got around to taking my DII into the shop after poking around underneath myself. Here's what the indy shop I went to found. A high degree of play in the front driveshaft; pretty tight in the back. Their expert was away due to a funeral, so they were reluctant to say whether it is the centre diff or the front diff that could be the culprit. Anyone with any experience/history that can weigh in here?

Thx.

Rich
Click to expand...

Mine did the same thing. It turned out to be excessive play in the front diff. You could have a different problem though so I would check the drive shafts too.

If the drive shaft is good just drop one end of it and then check for play in the diff.
 
Agent

Agent

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2007
669
3
WV
rmuller said:
replace front driveshaft with a greaseable one, and grease it every oil change. It will fail, and it may not be pretty.
Click to expand...

+1

Sounds like the U-joints in the front shaft are going. FWIW, its not necessary to replace the entire shaft though. (unless its damaged of course) Just replace the U-joints with greasable ones and you'll be good to go.

It could be something else like a diff, but I'd check the front driveshaft first as its a universal problem area.
 
Mongo

Mongo

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
5,731
2
59
pinion bearing or most likely the front driveshaft needs work...
 
KyleT

KyleT

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2007
6,059
8
39
Fort Worth, TEXAS
cant diagnose noises over the intraweb...

first sounds like normal driveline slack.
second sounds like mine did when a 04 style t-case went out in mine. gears were out of round and wore funky.
 
M

mprocopio

Member
Oct 19, 2007
11
0
Dublin,OH
I had the exact same sound and it was one of the u-joints in the front drive shaft (On the double cardon joint).

Knowing what I know now, I'd climb under there and see if you can move that double cardon joint by hand. Just push and pull all the u-joints and make sure none of them are loose. Mine was so loose I knew immediately where that sound was coming from.

I tried to rebuild the front DS and I must say it was a complete waste of time. I screwed up one of the u-joints on assembly. I'd recommend removing it and taking it to a driveline shop.
 
Last edited:
Agent

Agent

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2007
669
3
WV
mprocopio said:
I tried to rebuild the front DS and I must say it was a complete waste of time. I screwed up one of the u-joints on assembly. I'd recommend removing it and taking it to a driveline shop.
Click to expand...

+1

It can be tricky/pain in the ass, especially if you don't have the right tools. I did mine myself last summer, but would certainly consider using a driveline shop if I have to do it again.
 
R

rico_vancouver

Active member
May 26, 2005
29
0
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Just a final follow-up on my issue; turned out it was the front diff. My indie shop found me a good used one to replace it. Not as a painful as I was expecting (except the front brakes/rotors that needed replacing!).

Thanks for the replies and input.
 
I HATE PONIES

I HATE PONIES

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2006
4,864
0
I think I may have been right!

Let me ask you this. Did you get stuck and rock the truck back and forth to get unstuck. I.E. grab the rack and shake the piss out of it while someone else drove?
 
A

ausdisco

Guest
greasable PARTICULARLY if is,or intend to lift.i'm not sur but people 'seem' to have less faith i the rear rotorflex and pay less attention to the maintainence and seemingly more problematic front shaft.
 
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