Thread: Life of Puma Rear Diff's

Originally Posted by n plus one

I'll see your 55k on a 10 and raise you 85k on a 09

No diff dramas with mine either - and that includes a reasonable amount of heavily laden towing (20k) of which 5k was on corrugated dirt.

Having said that, mine has had a new rear centre (under warranty), which was changed out due to misdiagnose half shaft wear (i.e. the diff had no issues at all - lol) and I still intend to upgrade to something tougher (likely Ashcroft) in the future.

Well I beg to differ

Strike one ...TD5 Defender MY03 110 wagon front diff pinion bearing collapsed at 119429 km in July 08 after four and a half years and cost me $2k at the dealer to fix it.

OK ...didn't like that, so figured I would take out the next lease for 4 years instead of 5 years. Figured I should be OK for one year out of warranty without any major costs. Didn't want to do a 3 year lease as I would lose too much money on resale with all the accessories fitted...plus it takes about a year to get the various accessories fitted and sorted.

Strike two ...MY09 Puma 110 wagon rear diff failure requiring complete replacement in September 2012 at 89366 km and 6 mths out of warranty. Cost = $4000.35 !!!

Both vehicles had been serviced every 10,000 km at the LR dealership.

The Puma had done very little towing and had the rear diff pinion flange seal replaced under warranty 12 months earlier.

For some reason I have just ordered a MY13 Puma 110 but wiil be looking at getting my servicing and warranty work done elsewhere than LR dealer in future and getting the diffs specifically checked and documented just before the end of 3 years.

I find it interesting that I previously had a County 110 V8 for 17 years and being young and stupid thrashed the **** out of it, broke engine mounts, broke shockers, bent the front axle and then got a HD reinforced one installed so I could carry on being stupid, wore out a Fairey overdrive but not a single problem with the diffs and sold it with the original diffs.

I love the defender and it is becoming easier to use and drive but it would appear to me that it is becoming frailer with issues around the longevity of components.

Mark

One thing for sure Ashcroft are not making an air locker for a sals. I lived in hope after it was thrashed out on here somewhere a while ago, but na

Originally Posted by newhue

One thing for sure Ashcroft are not making an air locker for a sals. I lived in hope after it was thrashed out on here somewhere a while ago, but na

Seems odd when they have more potential to tap into the USA D60 market...

Originally Posted by uninformed

Seems odd when they have more potential to tap into the USA D60 market...

Let alone the number of series and defenders already made that have a Salisbury. I would have thought it would be a great opportunity. I guess ARB and Eaton have it covered. Ashcroft would have an idea through enquiries if its viable. Seems not.

Originally Posted by newhue

One thing for sure Ashcroft are not making an air locker for a sals. I lived in hope after it was thrashed out on here somewhere a while ago, but na

TJM definitely have stock of their Pro-Locker (nee Jack McNamara) for the Sals.

I asked a few weeks back when driving past a TJM store and they rang back the following week to confirm it was available and in stock at the wharehouse.
Just a shame list price is $1350 (incl.), but you won't find a better design.

Originally Posted by pannawonica

[snip]
Dave Ashcroft has stated before that the Sals has a bit of a weight problem.
[snip]

A D60 is worse, I killed my back a very long time ago lifting and moving one.

Originally Posted by rick130

A D60 is worse, I killed my back a very long time ago lifting and moving one.

Jeez and everybody laughed when I just about pooped a hernia trying to lift a Series Salisbury!

Looking at an OKA yesterday, D70 rear diff...35 spline full floater.....

VERY HEAVY THOUGH. Pallet jack would be req me thinks

JC