Thread: Clutch Removal 300 Tdi Defender

no easy way, pull the gear box or the engine for a clutch change.

Just paid someone to do mine, enjoy.

I just did mine on a 200tdi. I dropped the gearbox but it wouldve been easier to pull the engine. Working in cramped spaces is never fun.

Originally Posted by tonic

Just paid someone to do mine, enjoy.

Ha, ha.................................and send you the bill ?

Reading through the LR manual on R380 gearbox removal, for some reason it specifies

step 12. drain cooling system
step 13. remove viscous fan unit

Can't see the point really, same with

step 46. Support engine under sump with jack

An excellent idea if there weren't two perfectly good rear engine mounts.

On the 'Glass is always half full side', it looks to be an easier job than when I did the clutch on my old SII and SIII, which is just as well as I'm a bit older now. Though if I was cleverer I'd take your advice and pay someone else to do it.

Deano

Hi

cant really understand why you should have to drain cooling system. but as for the fan removal when you drop the gearbox the engine will tilt backwards thus pushing the fan into the radiator.

Hey there...
Just did my clutch in a 300TDI discovery - decided to take the center console out and borrow an engine crane to go through drivers door and loop a chain around g/box.
And it worked really well. I have to admit I expected it to be far more difficult, but apart from having a LPG tank restrict access to cross member bolts and rounded heads on a couple of bellhousing bolts it was a fairly straight forward job.
Ended up having to do it again 2 weeks later due to a wrong clutch plate, and second time around working with a friend we had the box on the floor within 2 hours. So I'm not too sure what people are on about that engine out is an easier option - especially on the way back in, I could not see swinging the engine and rocking the crank to get the mainshaft through the clutchplate being very easy....
but then again, I've never done it.

For your theory, I can't see 100mm being enough to get the mainshaft clear of the clutch and remove pressureplate... also from my understanding your issue could very possibly be a gearbox fault ...

As to draining coolant ---- no need for it in disco, but the engine will tilt forward, so thats why they take the fan off to avoid damaging the radiator (I didnt, if you're careful you'll be right), but since you need to line the g/box up perfectly with the engine, it is great help to have a jack under the sump for better control.

There. My 25 cents...
Good luck whatever you decide doing

Originally Posted by 91ramjet

Hi

cant really understand why you should have to drain cooling system. but as for the fan removal when you drop the gearbox the engine will tilt backwards thus pushing the fan into the radiator.

Top hose length.

Have a bad day and it'll pull the fitting off the radiator tank.

Thanks guys.

Can see the point about tilting the engine and putting the fan into radiator if not careful, BUT the rear engine mounts are on the rear of the engine and not the bell housing and there is no mention of removing them in LR's detailed instructions, so cant see how engine could tilt ?
I'll go out into the freezing cold and have another look.

Deano

PS. Yep! more of a stay than a mount and the motor can tilt if not supported. My mistake.