Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
Front Diff
I think that my front diff is on the way out
I've read as many posts as I can find on here regarding diff failure and my diagnosis is based on the following evidence:
low frequency whine/humming comming from the front end quite faint at the moment but definately there, no difference when turning either way, most prominant at about 35 - 40 mph at steady speed or decelerating. Not engine speed dependent, no difference in any gear (manual), neutral or clutch up or down.
Had both front wheels up tonight and checked for play or odd noises thinking possibly wheel bearing - nothing to suggest that it is a wheel bearing.
So firstly does my diagnosis sound right to those more in the know than me or am I overlooking something more obvious?
Secondly, its only been noticable for one week. There seems to be some evidence to suggest that changing the diff oil can slow down the failure or even prevent it in some cases. Is this likely seeing as I have caught it early or am I wasting my time changing the diff oil becuase the failure is going to be imminent anyway?
I've got the special diff oil here (ordered Friday many thanks to site sponsor Opie Oils) so can do the diff oil change this weekend. Any thoughts or comments would be very helpful.
Thanks, Al.
6th Sep 2011 7:59 pm
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
Bump. Anyone got any thoughts?
7th Sep 2011 8:41 am
D4JWW
Member Since: 20 Oct 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1318
Change the oil, if it the noise is still there after you haven't waisted alot in my opinion, worth a try, Stapldm had got result after changing it twice in this post: http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic68421.html?highlight=diff
The front is not to difficult but you might as well change the rear if you bought enough oil(quantities can be found in my gallery)
This help me allot on how too: http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic32281.html?highlight=diffA few mods... and keeping it all running...Faultmate MSV2
MY09EGR's blanked Thanks Bellautos, BAS
I have similar sound around same speed. Had it for a year and it didn't help changing the oil.
I think its the wheel bearing, but no play when i checked..
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
thanks for the replies. Will change the oil on saturday and post the results.
7th Sep 2011 11:13 am
scoobystiv8
Member Since: 01 Nov 2007
Location: Barnard Castle
Posts: 205
I chased my indie convinced my front diff was failling, ended up having the front wheel bearings changed and now no noise. even the indie said there was no play in the bearings just a little noise when spinning the wheel.
I have also changed the diff oil just to be sure but at the moment I have to admit the bearings solved the issue.D3 V8 SE AUTO
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7th Sep 2011 8:04 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
I'm just back in from a test drive after changing my front right wheel bearing - prompted by this thread.
I'd noticed a bit of noise, droning or humming you could say, from the front of mine over the past few weeks, been steadily getting worse.
Sounded to me just like tyre noise but only between about 50 to 60 mph, I've got the GG AT's on but not really noticed much noise before, anyway I jacked up the front right wheel earlier to check for play and noticed just the slightest bit of movement, so I set to and replaced the bearing, I replaced the other one last year and got another spare just in case.
I can happily state that the noise has now gone and the car even feels smoother (probably placebo effect here though )
Strange that when the other wheel bearing started to fail, the noise was similar but at lower speeds and was very much influenced by turning left. Clive
8th Sep 2011 7:35 pm
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
Well front and rear diff oil done today. The drone hasn't completely gone but its much better which leaves me to believe that it is the diff and not a wheel bearing. The oil from both was very discoloured (almost black from the front) but there was no noticable swarf on either of the drain plug magnets. Both had more what I would describe as a thick black paste all over them, the front one having much more on it than the back - probably a good teaspoons worth from the front by the time it was all cleaned off.
Wasn't quite as easy job as I had hoped. For the front it didn't look like the under sump plate had been off for a very long time (TFC does my servicing and he sucks the oil up out of the dipstick tube). The bolts had been put on extreemly tightly and were very coroded. I had to resort to a large breaker bar to crack them and even then it wasn't easy. All nice and clean now and been soaking in some WD40 so hopefully next time it has to come off it will be much easier.
For the rear it was partly my own fault because I kicked over the jug with the old diff oil in so had diff oil all over the drive Also I cut the pipe too short that was attached to a small funnel which I was using for filling so I couldn't get it high enough for the oil to drain through properly. In the end I resorted to a small pipe and a large syringe to get the new oil into the back diff.
Many thanks to those who posted pics and write ups on how to do this job - I wouldn't have attempted it without them for reference.
So, I'll see how it goes. Might change the front oil again in a few months time, to see if I can eradicate the noise completely and save the dif hopefully.
You are really leaving all transmission oils and diff oils too long if sticking to LR schedule.
The sensible money would be on changing all oils, Gearbox, transfer box, diffs every 40k, maybe sooner for what they cost. (engine oil every 6 months 6-7.5k)
I will now change all mine every 2 years - total cost about £100.....
The LR schedule relies on oils working in perfect conditions, so there is no deterioration in quality - Ha Ha!!
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if it the noise is still there after you haven't waisted alot in my opinion, worth a try, Stapldm had got result after changing it twice in this post: 
)
Also I cut the pipe too short that was attached to a small funnel which I was using for filling so I couldn't get it high enough for the oil to drain through properly. In the end I resorted to a small pipe and a large syringe to get the new oil into the back diff.
