Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

[alexcoist]

Hi all,

I have had my L400 about six months now and apart from a couple small issues, it has been great, until yesterday evening.

I drove from Edinburgh to Wales and back, about 10 miles from getting back home, there were some serious load grinding/scraping noises for around a minute before a bit of a bang. After that, the diff lock light begun flashing orange continually and I have a quieter, but still very noticeable, grinding noise.


The drive was to pick up a puppy so it is possible that the amount of stuff in the front footwell has possibly nudged the diff lock on but I doubt it.

It still seems to be able to select 2WD and 4WD but the grinding noise is worrying.

Does anyone have a good guess at whats gone wrong and broken here?  I haven't moved it yet, is it a bad idea to drive it?

Thanks!

[Google]

[alexcoist]

okay so no response yet but I have done some reading into this and the cheapest / easiest option to get the van moving again seems to be to just buy a second hand diff and fit that as they can be picked up for around £100 delivered.

The question I now have is whether I need to buy a front or rear diff assembly? I am pretty deaf so it's hard for me to trace a noise by ear, but it seems that the crunching was louder in turns which would lead me to believe that it would be the front diff. Does that make sense?

If anyone thinks they can help diagnose then please chip in as I really need this thing back on the road ASAP and can not afford multiple trips to a garage.

Thank you!

[Deker]

Try the simpler items first -

Wheel Bearing/s - - - In 2WD - Place trolley jack under Lower Wishbone, as close as possible to the road wheel.
Grasp the wheel firmly in the Vertical position, As hard as you can rock the wheel back & forth.
If there is "Play" or slackness, then rotate the wheel, listen for noise/s.

Do this test for both front wheels - then the rear wheels.

CVJ/s Same as above. Whilst you have each wheel jacked up, Grasp the Drive Shaft, try to lift up/down - Left/Right.
The drive shafts should move a little Horizontally.

Please let us know the results of the tests.

HTH

Mr D

[alexcoist]

Hi Deker,

Thanks so much for the pointers. I tried what you said and found it a bit unsteady with my current, somewhat under powered, jack setup. Paid the local garage £20 to get it up on the ramp today and have a good nosey for 20 mins and it appears you were correct in that it isn't the diff.

The guys at the garage suggested finding a new front left hub and swingarm. I think I have found an appropriate hub on ebay and am now trying to source the swingarm. Shall report back.

[buzr6mille]

Swing arm? I guess they mean wishbone, without seeing it I couldn't guess but I've not fitted a wishbone for a hub fault
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2nd gear low and go go go!

It's A Shame That Stupidity Isn't Painful..

One dent at a time...

[unclebazwold]

As said bearing first try Milners 4x4 for them they do a kit and do the hub upright bearing too why you are at it.
Bazza
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Mine is black and silver it is the best colour.
Just remember when you read my replies i know nuffin..............