Landy Blog - Upgrade of Donut on drive system to Universal Joint

Upgrade of Donut on drive system to Universal Joint

Apr22

Written by:Dave
4/22/2008 2:59 PM

The Disco 2 and later model Disco 1 were equipped with a rubber coupling attaching the rear drive shaft to the differential. Why ? Only Land Rover knows. Possible advantages include cost , drive line shock absorption or even reduced maintenance.
Shortly after buying my Disco 2 two years ago I installed OME suspension ( with its small suspension lift) and larger tyres - 265/75 R16 's - 16 % greater diameter.
Offroad performance was superb - covered up for many driving skill deficiencies.
But - I have damaged 3 of the rubber "Rotoflexes " aka "Donuts"

Why have they been damaged ? The jury is still out. Factors include the raised suspension - the donuts possibly flex more with the changed angle that the drive shaft makes with the diff; increased tyre size - 16 % extra diameter means 16 % extra torque on the Donut ; Possibly just using the car on extreme rock trails - only after difficult rocky climbs has damage occurred to the Donuts.
Whtever the cause , it is now fixed, courtesy of assistance from Mike van As of Da Gama Motors . ( By the way I would rate Mike by far the best local man at attending to drive / suspension problems on Landies - a quick drive around the block is often all Mike requires to home in on a drive/ suspension problem . I guess after the Green Mamba experience he has seen them all !)

So what has been lost in driveability by removing Land Rovers answer to rough drives ? Absolutely nothing. The car actually feels 100% better without the flexibility in the drive train. Gone is the jerky rocky motion that can be set up by alternately depressing and releasing the accelerator at low speed . Offroad this rocking can be unpleasant when moving slowly thu difficult terrain - I look forward to trying it out on the next trail.

See the Gallery for before and after pics of the conversion.

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2 comment(s) so far...

Re: Upgrade of Donut on drive system to Universal Joint
I have experienced the same. I've had my '96 Disco 1 modified - OME suspension, 33" Coopers and a 'chipped' 3,9 V8 that now pushes out 144Kw. The origianal donut went within a month of the modifications without even going off-road. (I was just scaring Pocket Rockets at the traffic lights.) Being an old vehicle and not knowing what happend in it's 180,000km life, I replaced it and thought it might have been in a bad state when I when I bought it.

I took it off-road for the first time on the Voorhoede outing at Caledon. While the trial was quite mild, the vibration was back as soon as I hit the tar an put foot back to CT. A quick stop in Caledon confirmed tears in the rubber, so I nursed it home.

Conclusion: Donuts do not work with a 40mm suspension lift and 33's.

Now where's Little Mike's number?

By Leyden on 7/13/2008 5:38 AM

Re: Upgrade of Donut on drive system to Universal Joint
Hi Leyden
Sorry about the delayed response . Just got back from the Kalahari .... Da Gama tel no is 021 783 4631.
Cheers Dave

By Dave on 7/15/2008 9:24 PM