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Front end vibration

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sparky
5/15/2008 1:56:16 PM
I have a 01 Disco 2 and the front end starts to vibrate at about 30 - 35 mph.  I can feel it in the steering wheel and the front seat.  Would this have something to do with the front stabilizer shock that runs under the radiator? 

I've already had the tires rotated and balanced and it's still there.

Thanks in advance,

Sparky
Disco Mike
5/15/2008 3:03:11 PM
How many miles on your truck?
Yes it could have some to do with it, but it is not the cause. Have you checked all the connections and bushings.
Have you had your front drive shaft rebuilt yet?
Spike555
5/15/2008 3:05:42 PM
GET YOUR U-JOINTS INSPECTED TODAY!!!! I am sure that you know about the double cardon joint on the front driveshaft, and just so you know, if it breaks you will need a new transmission.
The front shock on the steering helps dampen bumps so that you dont fell them in the steering wheel, it will not cause the problem that you are describing.
 
sparky
5/15/2008 3:50:52 PM
Not to my knowledge has the drive shaft been rebuilt.  It has 130k miles and I did have a mechanic look at the u joints and he seemed to think they looked fine, but he admitted that he's not a LR specialist.  I will admit, I am not familiar with the double cardon joint, but I am familiar with the amount of upkeep this vehicle needs.  I appreciate the advice fellas and I'll have it looked at tomorrow.

Sparky
Spike555
5/15/2008 3:57:32 PM
Do this, have them remove the front driveshaft and then take it for a ride, if the vibration is gone then you know it is the front driveshaft.
sparky
5/15/2008 4:09:07 PM
How many u joints does the front have and how easy is it to take off and work on?
Spike555
5/15/2008 4:18:49 PM
It has three.
Somebody will correct me if I am wrong, but you need to mark the flanges on the DS and the front differential so that you can line them back up when you put it back on, also mark them at the t-case.
If you dont get them back on the same way they came off you may have problems.
Take electrical tape and wrap around the caps on the u-joints so that they dont come off, just wrap around the whole DS. Not sure how important it is for a LR but for big trks that is what you do it you need to remove the DS so that you can put it back together with the same u-joints.
There are four bolts that hold the DS to the front diff and four that hold it to the t-case.
As far as replacing the u-joints goes, I do not know how hard it is. Some say it is easy others not so easy.
 
sparky
5/15/2008 4:59:40 PM
Spike,

Does the standard u joint work for all three?  I was thinking of replacing all three while I'm at it but Alantic British has one U joint and they say "not for double joint rear of front shaft".  So what's up with the double joint?

TIA

Sparky
Spike555
5/15/2008 5:08:46 PM
I am not sure, you also need the centering ball. That is what keeps the two u-joints inside the double cardon aligned.
I know that on my DI all four u-joints are the same. I think that the DII is the same way but not positive.
Do a search on here for u-joints, it is a common thread and some have posted part #'s.
Your local driveline shop will know what to do if you dont want to mess with it, just take the DS to them, have them rebuild it with greasable u-joints abd then you put it back in the trk.
Also check www.roverconnection.com.
Did you remove the DS?
 
sparky
5/15/2008 5:20:10 PM
No, it's still on.  I'll just have the guy take care of it tomorrow if he can get to it.  Thanks for all the info.  By the way, is it ok to drive around a few days if I have to wait on ordered parts?

Sparky
Spike555
5/15/2008 5:31:23 PM
Here is what worries me, if your u-joints are bad and they fail while you are driving you will need a new transmission, $7000. End of story no way around it.
So...with that being said, no it is not ok to drive around for a few days waiting for parts UNLESS you have the front DS removed from the trk.
You can run on just the rear diff for a short amount of time, stay off the highway, dont hot rod it and drive your wifes car most of the time.
Once your DS has been rebuilt you will be good to go for a long time.
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