bang from the front end.....

[frank]

I recently started hearing a loud noise from the front of my disco 1 (1995). I can reproduce the noise usualy when I back out of my inclined driveway and turn to go down the road, shift my automatic trans to drive foward and the loud noise comes from what I think is the front end. BANG and then is fine driving at all speeds. The BANG only happens when I am stopped and making a turn.
I took it to the local LR dealer and right of the bat they tought it was the front differential. I later find out they want to replace my transfer case.
Any ideas if it needs a new tc? I asked them if they rebuild them , he smiled and stated "WE ONLY REPLACE THEM WITH NEW AT A COST OF $2799 FOR THE TC PLUS INSTALL"
Is this common problems with LR to loose a TC with only 72,000 miles on the truck?
The truck has been dealer maintained and never realy abused and hardly off road.
Does LR alway just replace the whole part or do they infact rebuld a TC or power stearing parts. It seams crazy to only put in new and not rebuild stuff.
frank

 

[hubris]

Hey Frank, I am pretty new to all this myself but I have been having issues with the TC as well. In the Austin Texas area, no one I have found will rebuild a TC. All of the people I have spoken to, LR service and specialty shops, want to replace the TC.

Cheapest intact and ready to install TC I have found was from a salvage yard for 1650.00.

I have no idea what would be causing your "bang" but second opinions are golden. Find a drive train specialty shop in your area and take your LR there. Tell them you think it is your differential and have them check it out. I wouldn't even mention your TC at all.

 

[disco1]

Frank, check that the bolts on top of the shock tower is tight. To test this, open the hoodnd bounce the car. If the bolt on either side is loose, you will hear it banging. I find it hard to believe that it could be your TC.

 

[frank]

I will try the shock tower test first. If that doesn't pan out then I will be forced to bring the disco to a trany / front end specialist...... I also feel the wheels fighting when I make a turn (1-3 mph). It almost feels like when I had a Jeep YJ and would leave it in 4 wheel drive on the pavement at low speeds. It feels like they are pulling at each other and tires screech Sometimes when I am turning it will bang when the wheel is cut to the extreme left. The worst is comming down my steep driveway and when it is stopped on the pavment and I go fowarsd turning letf "BANG".... I could drive at all difrent speeds all day long with no problems. Thanks for your replies and if anything changes I will let you know. If anyone thinks of any other reason why this is happening please let us know.
Frank

 

[disco1]

Just a long shot, but you haven't accidently engaged diff lock?

 

[frank]

I tried that yesterday..... I-I lights up on the dash when I engaged the diff lock and I pop it in to low. Question - Would I feel a diffrence when they (diff lock) were engaged? I don't hear any noise when it goes in or out.... I can feel a big diffrence when its in low gear. That works fine. I did notice that some of my vacume hoses are cracking, is the diff lock vacume assisted? Not sure if it is but I noticed that the cruise controle stopped working because of this.
Question - If the diff lock is on, would the tires feel like they were fighting each other almost like they were off balance?
Thanks again Frank

 

[disco1]

You won't feel anything by moving the lever into diff lock. A quick test so I believe, is move the lever to diff lock and do tight circles on the bitumen in the street. If diff lock is engaged you will hear the tires squealing/slipping slightly. If it's not the diff lock engaged, then I would start looking at the CV joints. The knocking noise is an early indicator they are about to fail.
Lets know how you make out.

 

[Moose]

I agree -- I'd bet it was diff lock and/or a front CV before a T/C.

CV's aren't anywhere near as expensive as T/C and can be replaced by a shadetree mechanic....

 

[kasperking]

If you have to replace the TC have you tried any places in the UK?

Have a look at these site, it might prove cheaper in the long run.

[email protected]

www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk

www.aztechlandrover.com

The last one supplied me with a replacement engine (300 TDi) for my 90. It runs perfectly and I have not had any troule with it since it was fitted.