Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Guy's, have been having some dramas with the transfer case in my 84 RR Classic. It is an L230T with a R380 5 speed manual. The dramas really started one day going to work when all of a sudden no drive. No sudden noise, bangs or bearing whine. Locked the centre diff in and it drove in diff lock. Pulled out transfer case and gearbox to check and could not really find any buggered bearings or worn gears or shafts. Had it sitting on the bench and seemed to all lock up ok when put in or out. Put back in the car and started up and seemed to be in gear in the unlocked position high range, went forward about 2 feet then seemed to lack drive even though it seemed to be trying to crawl. Just did not seem to want to go under load. Would not move in either high or low diff unlocked. Put into diff lock and will drive in high or low fine. Have checked diffs and axles and all OK. The only thing that has changed is the oil I used book specifies 80W/90, could not get up here so used 80W/140. This should not cause any great dramas, right? The other thing that has changed which I do not think is related is the front left wheel appears to be pointing slightly outward (swivel bearings I think). Would this have any relation to axle / diff drive? Will be pulling the transfer case out again shortly. Is there any basic tests I can do to try and pinpoint the problem? The nearest RR specialist for repairs is some 600kms away. Gear box is also in good nick. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like broken bevel gears inside centre differential. Jack up both front wheels and place on axle stands, start engine, apply handbrake, put in 1st gear , let clutch out without difflock engaged. if front wheels are not being driven then centre diff is shot. if they are being driven apply light pressure to footbrake. if you get banging, grabbing or clanging noises,the centre diff is shot . Are you absolutely sure that both front and rear diff/axle assemblies are ok and you dont have a broken halfshaft?
Bill.

Thanks Bill, Definately not axles and diff have pulled both out to check. I was leaning a little towards centre diff problems. Good point with that is they are reasonablly easy to change out. Will pull out the centre diff and have a really good look.

I wouldn't say the LT230 centre diff was all that easy to access Craig. It would have been much nicer if they came out the back of the transfercase like an LT95.

Bill.