A few weeks ago I posted that my car (MY2010, manual gearbox) was making a loud clonk when reversing.

This continued till a few days ago, and now, instead of a single clonk when reversing, I get a series of smaller clonks when going forward, moving off or turning a corner.

I jacked up each rear wheel in turn this morning, and when I rotate them by hand they both make a sort of rattling/rumbling noise. The noise appears to be coming from the front of the propshaft, and it happens both in neutral and in 1st gear.

I fear this is the PTU output stripped, so I have contacted Bell Engineering to book it in.

Since this is likely to be weeks away (it would happen the week before Christmas, wouldn't it!) the big question is: is it safe to drive?

Ours failed - didn't know what had failed, but loud bang and then she used to spin the front wheels when setting off turning left or right. A couple of weeks later it was dry enough to spend a day lying in the gutter for a stripdown - PTU failed. Put her back together including the failed PTU, ordered the parts from Bell Engineering then waited for another dry weekend to do it all again.
So at least a month with failed PTU was no issue.

Sounds like good news - but, on mine the input splines had failed, stripped the gearbox connecting sleeve and the input drive to the PTU so no drive to the PTU. If the PTU internals have failed different scenario, maybe the pinion bearings have gone - grab the propshaft and feel for play, taking the propshaft off at that point might give you more time. You could try sampling the oil, if there are no bits in it you will be fairly safe as it points to an external failure.

I would like to point out that the damage is done, the PTU has died - so make sure you have recovery policy in place, and essential journeys only. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

My plan to drive up to Bell Engineering may be a bit ambitious then.

Can anyone recommend an independent in the Bournemouth area (Dorset/Hampshire)?

Candy's 4x4 in Fordingbridge, not too far from you.

https://www.candys4x4.co.uk/

I have used them for the past two and a half years, very helpful.

Chris. 2007 TD4 HSE

Thanks, I will contact them

T & S Norman in Somerset just off the A37 worth a chat with Steve the owner.

Just a quick update:

I took my car to Candy's 4x4 in Fordingbridge just before Christmas. Of course, they were just about to close for two weeks so they didn't get to look at it till just after New Year.

They removed the PTU and discovered it was, as predicted, the drive between the gearbox and the PTU that had failed, so they ordered a reconditioned PTU from Bell Engineering, fitted it and returned the car good as new yesterday. I also had them change the gearbox oil to save me a job later in the year.

I can't praise Candy's highly enough for their work.

The car is a joy to drive again. I just wish we could go somewhere!

Hopefully I'll get a few more years of fun in it before I'm forced to go electric.

Good result  Jules

what is the mileage on these failed ptu"s

Mine let go around 150,000 miles Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Mine had done 103,000 miles, and the diff was replaced 18 months ago at 95,000.

Not great, but hopefully they won't need doing again in my lifetime.

tim_roberts wrote:

Just a quick update:

I took my car to Candy's 4x4 in Fordingbridge just before Christmas. Of course, they were just about to close for two weeks so they didn't get to look at it till just after New Year.

They removed the PTU and discovered it was, as predicted, the drive between the gearbox and the PTU that had failed, so they ordered a reconditioned PTU from Bell Engineering, fitted it and returned the car good as new yesterday. I also had them change the gearbox oil to save me a job later in the year.

I can't praise Candy's highly enough for their work.

The car is a joy to drive again. I just wish we could go somewhere!

Hopefully I'll get a few more years of fun in it before I'm forced to go electric.

Well done Tim,

You might want to enter this under the Dealership thread for other users too.
Dave DAVE.