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[w3526602]

Hi,

BE PREPARED!

The mail by Avalon, about extracting a broken half shaft, has prompted some thoughts, perhaps accentuated by knowing that my next (as yet unnamed) project will have only one driving axle.  So ....

1. Is one side half-shaft more likely to break, than the other? Always that side,? Or do I need to carry two spare half-shafts? They don't need to be new, but probably best if they are.

2. I will need the biggest diameter bar possible to act as a drift, and as I won't want to pull the differential, something longer to prod the broken bit out of the axle.

2.1. Will the prodder need to be the full width of the axle (two lengths of stud bar, and a long nut ... (AKA stud connecting nut) ?

3. An empty yogourt  tub to catch the oil ... or perhaps two tubs, if oil takes time to drip out.

3.1. A couple of pairs of old "kex" to mop up.

4. A couple of house bricks to act as chocks ... I've only just realised that if a half-shaft breaks on a 4x2, there won't be a hand-brake, and no point in parking it in gear.  Or did Land Rover think of that?

4.1. Hmmm? The Law says that a hand brake may not be hydraulic, but if push comes to shove, some means of holding the brake pedal down might be useful. Dual circuit brakes might be desirable.  Early 109s had hand "hand-brake adaptable" rear wheel cylinders, but that would mean 11" drums, which might conflict with my plans to fit dinky wheels. Back to the drawing board. There is something in my mind that Rover P5s had hydro-mechanical rear wheel cylinders.

602

[Peter Holden]

If you dont carry a s[pare driveshaft and the wherewithall in Barbaras car why do you in a Land Rover?

Peter

[ChrisJC]

I believe it's the short half-shaft that breaks as it has less wind-up to absorb any shock loads.

Chris.

[w3526602]

Hi Peter,

Barbara's car is still under warranty ... and will be for another five years ... although the main dealer phoned her a couple days ago. If anything breaks, THEY can come and get it, give her a courtesy car.

Thinks ... I don't remember seeing my Britannia card in my wallet recently.

602

[w3526602]

Hi,

I've broken two Landy half-shafts.

The first was in an 86" S1 front axle in Arabia. Bent the front axle, and four of my front teeth, so I assume that doesn't count.

The second was in an S2 109", driving up a 1:5 slope into a quarry, in 2WD. The narrow trickle of water across the slope had frozen.

GRIP - SLIP - GRIP - BANG - LESSON LEARNED

602

[370abc]

Don't rely on a long bar to drift the broken bit out, the last one I broke needed the diff out and a lump hammer and cold chisel to extract the remains.

[scotty]

Hi 602  I wouldn't worry about carrying a spare halfshaft I've had a number of series land rovers V8, Tdi, 2 1/4 diesel and petrol and have only ever had one break and that was a couple of weeks ago and that had been repaired (welded) by a previous owner a few years ago  Paul

[Wittsend]

Over the years I've had both short & long half shafts break.
That said it is not a common event.

After 50 years of (abuse) use the shafts can twist, more so if you snatch the drive or drive on a firm surface in 4x4 drive for prolonged periods. It you look at where the shaft has broken, they invariably have twisted - like this....



If you are at all worried about breaking the half shafts then buy and fit 2 new shafts. They are not expensive.
If you are going on your travels abroad carry 2 spares in the back - then you'll never break a half shaft 

Your push-out rod needs to be a metre long.

I would strongly advise that you remove the diff and check all is OK and check for any shards of metal fallen into the diff pan - even if you think they haven't.

Think of the half shafts as fuses in an electrical circuit. They are the "weakest link" in the transmission. You can buy stronger half shafts but if you strengthen them something else in the transmission may break and this will cost you more and take longer to fix.

 

[Gibbo103]

John, it should be dyb, dyb,dyb not dib. Last used by cubs in 1967. Means do your best!

[oddjob]

I've carried two spare halfshafts inside my front bumper for the last 10 years. Never needed them (I've cursed myself now) but have broken at least 3 rear diffs and a front halfshaft in that time.

So carry a spare diff. 

[Wittsend]

I get that .... do you know what dob dob dob means ?


 

[oddjob]

I get that .... do you know what dob dob dob means ?


 

To report the Scoutmaster to the authorities?!



Verb

dob (third-person singular simple present dobs, present participle dobbing, simple past and past participle dobbed)

    (slang, chiefly Australia and Britain) To report (a person) to someone in authority for a wrongdoing.

    I’ll dob on you if you do that.
    You dobbed me in! — I never did!

[autorover1]

Only broken  two  half shafts, both rears.  The first was helping out at Three Counties Show at Malvern driving on virtually level ground at 5 mph. I think I must have over stressed it at a LR trial in a quarry a couple of weeks before and torque reversals on/off throttle driving amounts the crowds finished it off .  Took the broken end out , the other shaft and the rear prop . and carried on for the rest of the day in Front wheel drive.  Swapped it all out the following morning and was back on duty within the hour.
The other was at Eastnor on a prototype 101 with ENV axles which is another story altogether.

[Ndrwdz]

I get that .... do you know what dob dob dob means ?


 

Do OUR Best.

So Akela says "Do your best" and the boys respond with "Do our best"
dyb dyb dyb
dob dob dob

[Wittsend]

Thanks ...

I was never in the clubs, but made the scouts ....