Thread: Defender Puma 2.2 - voice your issues

Originally Posted by jannion

Hi all. I recently purchased the 2013 110 Defender in Nara Bronze. This is one of a small handful of Defenders I have owned & have always been a devout advocate. However, unfortunately I have found the new MY13 Defender to be a little short of the mark. I have had major hassles & are still trying to resolve a long list of issues with the vehicle (less than 40000kms). Land Rover have requested evidence of forums where similar problems with the gearbox, engine, driveline - basically PUMA in general are discussed. I would appreciate anyone that could post on this thread regarding any issues or altercations they have had with Land Rover or with the Defender. Below is a list of problems;

• Engine revs between gears causing slow & difficult gear changes
• unjustifiable drive line back lash at only 3000kms
• drive line vibration in low range
• underpowered in comparison to the 90 with only 150kms difference in Tare weight.

Have you previously owned a PUMA, or were they TD5 or older defenders?

The reason I ask is that the PUMA defenders almost all vibrate (grind/rattle) nastily in low range, when under load. I've had a 2.4 PUMA MY09, and that went back several times. I think the main cause is that the clutch vibrates. This was temorarily fixed 3-4 times with a new clutch plate, but soon came back. I reckon the TD5 is nearly silent in comparison because it has a Dual Mass Fly wheel, the PUMA's is solid. I currently own a MY13 PUMA, in Nara Bronze, and it's driveline is a LOT quieter than the MY09 was, but no where near as quiet as the TD5, it vibrates more at low revs. And I think it has to because of the lack of dampening from the Dual Mass flywheel and the fact it's a 4 cyl vs the TD5's 5 cylinders.

I think this vibration issue can't be fixed and is something to live with.


The engine Revving, is by design, and I've now adapted to it and find it OK. I think you can disable this be shorting out a switch on the clutch master cylinder.

Driveline backlash is much more noticeable on the PUMA than the TD5, I reckon because of the lack of a DMF to absorb some of the shock.

I'm not sure about the under powered issue - I think my MY13 2.2, is more lively than the 2.4 MY09 I replaced, especially in the mid range, high revs It's hard to pick which was better. But the 2.2 is much better than the stock TD5. So for me the 2.2 is an improvement.


Is your's a seven seater?

Just a response to all those that have experienced heightened driveline backlash. My 2012 defender did something similar after about 3000kms. It turned out to be the four bolts that hold the drive shaft onto the flange out of the transfer had come marginally loose - but not to the point where you could notice it by trying to move the drive shaft. The head mechanic at the local dealer said that it had happened to all the defenders that they had sold and that no matter how tight they did the bolts up during pre-delivery the two flanges still seemed to "bed in." I noticed a huge improvement after that service.

Dual mass flywheels are not my favourite but they do absorb those annoying vibrations and deliver the power from the engine to to wheels a lot more smoother than a solid mass flywheel...

Agree, the dmf is nice, but only lasts a certain amount of time, and then needs to be replaced. Its also very expensive to replace. I just had one done as part of a clutch job on my td5. $1000 just for the flywheel itself. The center bearing had broken.

Originally Posted by BilboBoggles

Agree, the dmf is nice, but only lasts a certain amount of time, and then needs to be replaced. Its also very expensive to replace. I just had one done as part of a clutch job on my td5. $1000 just for the flywheel itself. The center bearing had broken.

Yep exactly...interesting I would have thought the td5 had a SMF and the puma had a DMF but there you go learn something everyday.... I've noticed the price is quite high for an item that seems to fail a considerable amount..

Originally Posted by jplambs

Just a response to all those that have experienced heightened driveline backlash. My 2012 defender did something similar after about 3000kms. It turned out to be the four bolts that hold the drive shaft onto the flange out of the transfer had come marginally loose - but not to the point where you could notice it by trying to move the drive shaft. The head mechanic at the local dealer said that it had happened to all the defenders that they had sold and that no matter how tight they did the bolts up during pre-delivery the two flanges still seemed to "bed in." I noticed a huge improvement after that service.

Rain hail or shine i shall be under the Defer in the am with spanners in hand and it ****ing down at the moment. I hope this is the fix.
Mike

Driveline backlash is a common problem for most Defender owners.

I have an SVX 2.4 motor and it had this issue from new and also complained to the dealer with no outcome. My only thing I could do was to drive as smooth as I could - this would help but not all the time.

Ater the warranty period, I began getting serviced by Ritters. I didn't mention anything but after the first service they said the driveline backlash was excessive and I needed a new rear axle. Mind you, this was with only 60,000kms on the clock!!! I at first rejected that my new car needed a new axle after only 60,000kms but after thinking it through, I went ahead.

When I picked it up after getting the new axle (Maxi drive type), it was like driving a different vehicke - no more backlash noticeable and it now drove better than new and I am not joking.

So, consider replacing the back axle.


Nigel

How much did the back axle cost?