Strange loud noise. Need help.

[rayhyland]

Ok so this has been odd.

In our Series 1 (86") as we were driving east through turkey we experienced a loud Squeeling noise coming from the front of the drivetrain. Sounded like a bearing starting to go.

It only happened with the front hubs unlocked. When I locked the front hubs the sound went away. So I guessed a front wheel bearing. The noise was louder on the right side so we pulled the front hub and the inside bearing was pitted (it was pitted before we left but what the heck I changed it).

The noise is still there when the hubs are unlocked. When the hubs are locked it goes away.

When I put it in 4WD with the hubs unlocked, the noise also goes away.

So the noise only happens when the front drivetrain is turning at the same speed as the rest of the drivetrain.

So, if it's not a wheel bearing, could it be front output shaft bearing?

I enter Iran tomorrow so I don't have a lot of Land Rover shops around to help me troubleshoot.

Any thoughts?

Ray

[red90]

From you description, it can only be the hubs. When it is happening, nothing in the front drivetrain is moving other than the part of the hub attached to the wheel hub. Just leave them locked. There is nothing to be gained by having unlocked hubs.

[rayhyland]

Yes that was what I thought but then I started to get this juddering when slowing down. Plus I get a faint "cooked bearing" smell when I exit the vehicle.

[red90]

It has to be a hub. If it were me, I would just leave them locked and not worry about it. Actually, if it were me, I would remove them and put on stock drive flanges. If you want to investigate, take the hubs apart. They are probably full of mud instead of grease.

[rayhyland]

I've had them apart. They look fine. Greasy and perfect. Any thoughts what could make the sound when I depress the clutch pedal when slowing down?

[S3ute]

Hello again from Brisbane.

Land Rovers were built under licence in Iran for many years. You will probably encounter a lot of local mechanics who know the Series trucks quite well.

I will post your symptoms on the local AULRO site and see what the locals think.

Cheers

[John]

When freewheeling hubs are fitted and are not engaged then you don't have the benefits of splash lubrication in the front hubs - not what the design engineers had intended. If an owner is determined to run with freewheeling hubs and is commuting regularly then it would be advisable to engage them every so often (weekly?) to ensure there is some fresh lubrication splashed around. If the vehicle is rarely used then you are not doing the workings any favours by running with the hubs disengaged. Other drive line issues would need to be dealt with separately. I'd start by looking at your u-joints, prop shafts and/or half shafts.

John