Series III drivetrain slack.

[Tom Santoli]

Driving my 1978 Series III all summer after owning and working in if for years before without driving it, I’m increasingly convinced of some driveline issues. Last Land Rover I drove years ago was a similar age 109 and it was tighter.

The rear driveshaft will rotate about 120 degrees by hand without the wheels moving; this seems like too much to me and I think accounts for allot of the ‘slop’ in the drivetrain?

Thanks for any insight;

Tom

[mearstrae]

Sounds like your worst fear, the ring and pinion are worn badly. And/or the axle splines are badly worn (less likely). I'd be worried if there were only 90 degrees of slack in this.

'99 Disco II
'95 R.R.C. Lwb (Gone...)
'76 Series III Hybrid 109
'70 Rover 3500S (Gone...)

[whitehillbilly64]

Ring gear can be adjusted.
If you have a manual, you can see how to do it.
On my 77 S3 SWB, I needed also to replace the shims.

whitehillbilly

[Manny]

If you are in need of a ring and pinion. I have a brand new set I will sell.