Thread: Bulletin release for Puma notchy gear change.

The October 2013 issue of Land Rover owner international [ issue 11] has a buying guide for the Defender TDCi, 2007 to present. It details known faults , with what to look for when buying a used one. There are 5 pages of information, a must read for anyone thinking of buying one. It does say the TDCi ' is shaping up to be one of the best defender engines yet'. Bob

Most of the puma owners I have spoken to (and from my own experience), find hard shifting occurs between 1st and 2nd, mainly when cold. I doubt that a couple of spacers will remedy that, but might be worth a try.

Cheers for the link

Originally Posted by Gerokent

Most of the puma owners I have spoken to (and from my own experience), find hard shifting occurs between 1st and 2nd, mainly when cold. I doubt that a couple of spacers will remedy that, but might be worth a try.

Cheers for the link

Have there been any defender gearboxes that don't exhibit stiff changes between 1st/2nd when cold ?


Martyn

Defender gearboxes, when cold, will be "difficult" to shift, especially 1-2. Most trucks are exactly the same. Simply double declutch shift from 1-2 until gearbox oil hot - then you're fine.

Trying to "fix" this "issue" seems to me to be forgetting that Defenders are not cars.

Originally Posted by Scallops

Defender gearboxes, when cold, will be "difficult" to shift, especially 1-2. Most trucks are exactly the same. Simply double declutch shift from 1-2 until gearbox oil hot - then you're fine.

Trying to "fix" this "issue" seems to me to be forgetting that Defenders are not cars.

In the real cold put the transfer box in neutral, the gearbox in gear and idle it for a minute or two before you set off.

Everything will feel better.

Hi
Changed gear box oil at 10,000 km’s to Penrite Pro Gear 75W-85 full synthetic (must be GL4). Have nearly 50,000 km’s on clock now consisting of heavy caravan towing and gear box shift is excellent, have no gear clashes at all. I use a GL5 full synthetic in all other drive areas, the transfer when hot has a gear clatter while on the “float”, is quite prominent and annoying, I just avoid this as much as possible, mainly happens on long hauls with cruise on.

Originally Posted by Dougal

In the real cold put the transfer box in neutral, the gearbox in gear and idle it for a minute or two before you set off.

Everything will feel better.

I do that here on the Gold Coast in winter before setting off with trailer each morning

Cold for me, real cold NO!

Originally Posted by uninformed

I do that here on the Gold Coast in winter before setting off with trailer each morning

Cold for me, real cold NO!

Touch wood, but I have never had problems changing between 1st and 2nd, even when it's been an icy 4 deg in the dead of winter here on the Gold Coast . Since I chipped it, I don't use 1st much anymore.

Cheers Ian