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Home > Technical > Ashcroft Transmissions - Half Shaft / Flange Failure

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90GTR

Member Since: 05 May 2020
Location: London
Posts: 201

2016 Defender 90 V8 Petrol Works V8 Auto Santorini Black

jst wrote:
90GTR, the 'thump on' does it come with a change of direction too each time (ie fwd to reverse?) sounds like bush to me rather than shafts/DMs

When I drove it, reverse and 1st gear no thump or clunk and arguably when 1st to 2nd its not really there (to be fair I was quite gentle / smooth with clutch and shifting). More noticeable in 3rd, 4th, 5th when you got back on power.

Sorry to digress the thread!

26th Jan 2021 11:56am

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8268

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

ok, thats sounds more drivetrain related best start another thread on it, going OT here for OP Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

26th Jan 2021 1:32pm

Harry.O

Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 724

Thanks for all of the responses and good advice

The Ashcroft option is unnecessary for my needs and also rather pricey so in the end I went for the Britpart integrated shafts / flanges but with the improved coating offered by IRB and LOF. This seems to be a good compromise and a search around on here revealed good feedback whilst eliminating another wear point. Luke at LOF was really helpful and even applied a little discount as well getting them in the post for next day delivery so it'll be back up and running before the weekend

90GTR - I had started to notice more of a clunk/thud, particularly in the lower gears rather than the higher ones but the 110 has done 140k now so there was always likely to be a bit of play along the driveline. As far as I'm aware, everything is original with the exception of a recon gearbox and the now knackered shafts / flanges. It certainly didn't show signs of imminent failure, it just went bang as I pulled away, almost like when a transfer box jumps out.

JST - unfortunately the oil seals were in there, it was only when looking at the Ashcrofts website the other day I noticed that comment about removing them. The shafts were fitted by a previous owner and I've never had reason to take the axle apart before so was not to know, a shame really as this could possibly have been avoided but at least it broke 400m from home and not miles away! 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top
1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles

27th Jan 2021 7:52pm

QP9166

Member Since: 10 Oct 2012
Location: Sarawak
Posts: 3

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HCPU Stornoway Grey

I just had this experience to add to the knowledge pool.
Heard a few loud bangs before losing drive, centre diff was unlocked at the time. Had just driven a couple of days on rough tracks in the hills of Borneo.

My Puma is 13 years old and has done about 120K km.
Over the past years, had oil seeping out from left hub, attributed to blocked breather and sorted by blowing through breather hose.
Right side had never leaked, and presumably, stayed dry. So an occasional oil leak may have been a good thing since my leaky left half shat and flange splines are in good condition.
Locked CDL and managed to drive 200km in FWD (sorely missing 4WD on the steep hills with loose surfaces) to the next town where I had a workshop weld the damaged flange to shaft, and drove another 800km to get home.

Now fitted new flange and shaft, but only after some adventure getting the wrong shaft, a 25" instead of the correct 26", which the shop had one last piece of.
Also had spare Disco 1 shafts at home but they are smaller diameter, 27mm compared to 31mm for Defender shaft, so decided to use new and bring along Disco as spare for future arduous trips.

18th May 2025 1:59am

julian

Member Since: 17 Feb 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 169

1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White

Harry.O wrote:

JST - unfortunately the oil seals were in there, it was only when looking at the Ashcrofts website the other day I noticed that comment about removing them. The shafts were fitted by a previous owner and I've never had reason to take the axle apart before so was not to know, a shame really as this could possibly have been avoided but at least it broke 400m from home and not miles away!

It's quick and easy to do the flange and shaft.

Removing the seal is a significantly more disassembly work, so you can probably guess as to why it was still in there?

18th May 2025 8:55am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 902

jst wrote:
Ref the grease/wear and Ashcrofts, it advised on Ashcroft site to remove the inner hub seal to allow oil to lubricate the splines. Wonder if that was done?

The halfshafts and drive members we provide are warranted against BREAKAGE, not against wear caused by 'fretting corrosion' of the spline/drive member interface. This 'fretting corrosion' is a direct result of lack of lubrication, a design fault, and is common on grease filled hubs. We therefore recommend removing the half shaft seal to allow oil to migrate along the half shaft to keep the spline lubricated.

Para 4: https://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/h...s.html[/b]

Interesting. do you know where this info is today? The link no longer works sadly.

Thanks.

18th May 2025 11:31am

ashtrans
Site Sponsor

Member Since: 08 Nov 2008
Location: Harpenden
Posts: 263

https://ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/product/late-rears/ Dave

22nd May 2025 1:29pm

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