Lower telescopic shaft (Discovery 3)

Item name	Spare part catalog number	Description
1	-	Torx bolt
2	-	U-shaped fork
3	-	Cardan joint
4	-	Flexible connection
5	-	Pin shaft
6	-	Nest shaft
7	-	Heat shield
8	-	Bolt
9		Plastic bushing

The lower telescopic shaft is not the same for right-hand and left-hand drive vehicles, so it is important to install the correct shaft to maintain the angle of the relative position of the steering joints. The upper end of the shaft is attached to the intermediate shaft, and the lower end to the hydraulic distributor gear on the steering gear. There is only one way to arrange these connections, which serves to ensure the correct positioning of the steering wheel in relation to the steering gear. The shaft consists of two shafts: a pin shaft and a socket shaft, which have a telescopic connection. The pin shaft is capable of axial movement of 77 mm (3.03 inches) inside the socket shaft in the event of a frontal collision to reduce frontal penetration. The sliding fit also allows for dynamic chassis relative to body movement when driving in severe off-road conditions. A plastic bushing is installed on the pin shaft. It is used only during vehicle assembly and is not used once the shaft is installed on the vehicle.



The socket shaft is a tube with a triangular cross-section and a double D-shaped hole at the upper end for fastening the intermediate shaft. A recess in the tube wall ensures the correct relative positioning of the intermediate shaft and the lower telescopic shaft. A union nut riveted to one side of the hole at the end of the double D-shaped shaft serves to fasten the bolt holding the intermediate shaft. A dust seal is installed around the end of the socket shaft, which prevents dirt and moisture from penetrating the sliding joint. A heat-protective coupling is also installed, which reflects excess heat from the exhaust manifold.

The pin shaft is a triangular tube riveted at the lower end to form a flange. Its upper end is attached to twisted spring plates that slide inside the socket shaft. On the side surface of the socket shaft there is a pin that holds the pin shaft in the hole. The lower end of the pin shaft has a flexible joint that absorbs vibration and "kickback" from the steering gear. A stabilizing pin passes through the joint and prevents it from bending. (acting as a gimbal joint), allowing rotation and longitudinal movement. The joint is molded from rubber and has nylon fibers around the mounting holes through which the torque applied to the steering wheel is transmitted. The joint is attached to the drive flange, which is part of the pinion shaft, and to a U-shaped yoke, which is attached to the pinion yoke by means of a universal joint.