LR
All faults
Axles & drivelineMedium severity

Differential whine or clunk

Will get worse if left.

Symptoms

Whining from the axle that changes between drive and overrun, clunk when turning, or metallic noise.

Likely cause

Worn crownwheel and pinion, worn pinion bearings or low oil level. Older Rover diffs are often simply worn out.

Suggested fixes

Listed roughly in the order most owners try them.

  1. 1

    Check and change axle oil

    Drain the oil and check for metal fragments. Refill with EP90 to the level plug.

    Difficulty:
    Easy DIY
    Cost:
    £ (Under about £50 in parts)
  2. 2

    Fit an exchange differential

    Rover type diffs come out as a complete unit, making an exchange swap straightforward.

    Difficulty:
    Moderate DIY
    Cost:
    £££ (Over about £300)
  3. 3

    Rebuild with new bearings and pinion setup

    A specialist can rebuild and set pinion depth and backlash correctly.

    Difficulty:
    Specialist job
    Cost:
    £££ (Over about £300)

This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.

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