Member Since: 14 Jul 2019
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 26
D4 - new rear propshaft vibration on motorway
Hi all,
Recently the MOT inspection suggested that the rear propshaft support bearing is broken and needs to be replaced - it's the thin rubber ring that supports the propshaft. Checking how much time it takes to replace only the bearing, I decided to replace the whole propshaft assembly. My mechanic got an aftermarket one, but I am not sure of the brand.
After the replacement, the car was driving fine at low speeds, but started vibrating at motorway speeds (60MPH and up) - I took it back to the mechanic, he got a replacement propshaft from the supplier and refitted it. A week later the vibrations returned again at motorway speeds. The mechanic has driven it around 75MPH immediately after fitting the replacement but could not spot any issues.
Yesterday we refitted back the original propshaft (with the "broken" bearing) and the car drives smoothly again at any speed, so it must be something related to the new propshaft or how it is fitted - however we tried two of them and both had the same issue appearing after a few days of driving.
The symptoms are the same as decribed here and here.
Does anyone have any ideas what to check next? I'm puzzled because the original propshaft works fine and we tried two new units and got the same issue. I wonder whether I should just glue that rubber ring back and keep the old propshaft
19th Feb 2020 1:07 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20844
Member Since: 14 Jul 2019
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 26
Thank you for the advice. I will do some research and will post here the results.
19th Feb 2020 4:39 pm
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
I had a new genuine LR prop fitted a while back under warranty and I’ve not had any issues since
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19th Feb 2020 8:50 pm
artiom
Member Since: 14 Jul 2019
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 26
Quick update:
Today I replaced the propshaft with a GKN unit (from ebay) and it seems to work fine - I've driven it on motorway and couldn't spot any vibration issues. Hopefully this one will last as the issue may not manifest straight away.
3rd Mar 2020 3:02 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1670
Amber warning for split rubber around centre bearing of rear propshaft at 5th year service at Main Dealer this week. Car is 5 years old and has only done 35,000 miles. Seems poor to me.
Quote of over £600 for the work. I understand a new prop shaft is required as it is not satisfactory to replace the rubber.
It's only an amber warning, although they have said it may cause judder. Going to get a good local indie to check it and see if this would be covered with my Warranty Direct warranty. Does anyone have any experience of WD coverage for this?
Cheers
GaryGary
-------------------------------------------
Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
5th Jun 2020 3:40 pm
artiom
Member Since: 14 Jul 2019
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 26
£600 seems very expensive to me. My final price was half of that (apart from the hassle of trying 2 unbalanced propshafts).
Technically it is possible to replace the rubber only - but it requires to take apart the sealed middle CV joint. Assembling it back does not guarantee that it will remain sealed and overall it is a lot of work (research on Internet revealed around 4-6 hours).
Replacing the whole propshaft requires to take apart around 10 bolts and takes 20 minutes - so I went this route. I tried 2 "el cheapo" shafts which resulted in vibration (I returned them back) and then I went for a GKN unit which works perfectly. The final shaft costed around £250 + £30 labor (the mechanic didn't take additional money for the extra shaft replacements).
5th Jun 2020 5:07 pm
SteveNorman
Member Since: 14 Oct 2005
Location: Somerset
Posts: 1146
Quote:
I'll only fit a GKN unit, they are fit and forget parts Thumbs Up
I’ll second that. Never any problems with gkn.
5th Jun 2020 6:24 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1670
Thanks for the replies. The £600 was main dealer price.
If I get it done , I'll definitely ask for GKN if it's replaced. Not sure at what stage of a split a replacement is required. Is it worth doing immediately whatever the size of the split? The garage are going to investigate and give me a report on the condition.
CheersGary
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Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
5th Jun 2020 6:32 pm
highlands
Member Since: 10 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5103
Sikaflex it ftw! Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me )
5th Jun 2020 7:01 pm
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
Gary_P wrote:
Amber warning for split rubber around centre bearing of rear propshaft at 5th year service at Main Dealer this week. Car is 5 years old and has only done 35,000 miles. Seems poor to me.
Quote of over £600 for the work. I understand a new prop shaft is required as it is not satisfactory to replace the rubber.
It's only an amber warning, although they have said it may cause judder. Going to get a good local indie to check it and see if this would be covered with my Warranty Direct warranty. Does anyone have any experience of WD coverage for this?
Cheers
Gary
Mine was done through WD. Genuine part with the work done by my Indy. Can’t remember the price though!
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Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
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