Defender warranty issues

**justinc** · 25th April 2012, 07:35 PM

I have seen a 25K old Puma with a front differential cross pin facing imminent failure, Front diff developed some excessive backlash and on inspection the cross pin had flogged the carrier to an oval shape already, and was loose, with almost NO offroad use, so this wouldn't surprise me that one failed completely, and at highway/ road speeds WILL take out a crownwheel etc etc. I would be getting Ray to make a report on this, I would say based on what I have seen even with the limited amount of these vehicles I have come in contact with that it is going to be not all that uncommon in the future. This differential was replaced immediately by our local dealership.

JC

**justinc** · 25th April 2012, 10:14 PM

And just a bit more background on that particular subject if anyone is interested;

I am only a small independent repair shop, I was asked by the vehicle owner to check a bit of extra backlash that he felt appeared over a few weeks, I noticed it was way too excessive also so inspected the front differential carrier (You can see it through the filler plug hole with an inspection light) and saw the pin in that condition. I am on very good terms with the local dealer service personnel and manager, I explained what I had seen and they took it from there. Vehicle was still under warranty, they inspected it also and agreed it was a problem, so fitted a new front diff centre for the customer.

I haven't had any real difficulties with the dealer and their responses to issues that arise from time to time with these vehicles as I do a fair bit of 'in warranty' servicing, but ANY problem I see/ note gets taken up with the dealer and they have been great in this regard.

It just goes to show that ensuring a good pattern of communication and professionalism goes a long way to keeping everything flowing along smoothly

JC

scott oz · 27th April 2012, 08:15 PM

So is this a problem with the Pumer defender

**justinc** · 28th April 2012, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by scott oz

So is this a problem with the Pumer defender

Not really, I have quite a few customers that don't have any issues with their Puma Defenders, at all.

It just means in my opinion that ANY drivetrain issues need to be taken seriously and inspected/ rectified ASAP. If The owner/ regular driver of the vehicle suspects something is not right or has changed recently, ie backlash has increased or a clunk has got worse, then they should be taken seriously and the cause investigated straight away.

There have been a few incidences where these vehicles have had failures that could quite easily been prevented by early intervention. Just because the vehicle is 'new' doesn't mean it is entirely immune to problems.

Furthermore, one fellow in particular who works his 130 very hard, and is now up to 150,000km, has had a transfer case replaced due to centre diff and intermediate shaft destruction, but has had no diffs replaced or any other issue apart from a clutch as it was rattling at start up and shutdown.

JC

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