Thread: Rear diff issues

Across my 3 Defenders - I've had 8.. Yes 8 replacement diffs.... That's over the years 2003 to 2014, so it's not like they've had no chance to fix the basic issues.

My 2011 130 has a whine which has been increasing slowly over the past 18mths. At the last major service (50,000) they said the oil was badly burnt and replaced it. Noise still there.

8,000 km later and just before warranty expires, I have the car checked by an independent Land Rover specialist. His report was that the rear diff oil is discoloured and exhibits signs that something is causing wear in the gears. The front diff oil is darkened at shows signs of grease from the hubs and that the seals may be leaking grease into the diff housing.

I take the car to the local dealer and they state that the rear oil looks ok but they want to replace the front diff. The transfer case has a slight oil leak and the diff lock won't stay engaged so that's being replaced too.

I checked the rear diff oil myself and aside from it being low, it looked OK (honey coloured) I spoke to the specialist and he said I'd have to take a bigger sample and ideally from the drain plug. I'll look at doing that soon.

My concern is that they've misdiagnosed the front diff and that they're ignoring a potentially bad rear diff!

Aside from the mechanicals, I am getting a new roof as the seam running across the top is cracked and is letting water in and also the existing roof dips over the drivers door which means there isn't enough of a gap to allow roof racks to be fitted.

I also have a leak somewhere on the drivers side firewall which is proving difficult to rectify.

Add to all of this, my warranty ran out a few days ago - I've been promised that all work aside from the rear diff has been lodged and approved by LRA and will be rectified when parts come in.

All I can say is good luck Henry. My roof also cracked (May have just been the paint cracking) and repaired but has done it again. Water still comes on the front some where (presume it's the wind screen) and that has also been previously "fixed". The EGR valve was recently replaced with a new one as it was squeeling, now thw car shutters from time to time whilst trying to maintain a certain speed (I'm not certain it's the EGR fault but have read that some where, almost feels as if fuel is being starved or running out)
Now that the car is out of warranty I get the feeling Land Rover are going to do nothing at all with any of these issues.
Ohh and my passenger rear light panel (black insert bit) keeps gettin heat effected by the exhaust and discolouring. Has been replaced before also

I think all Defenders since the beginning of time eventually crack their roof at that seam... It's because the body is bolted to the chassis, and as the chassis bends over bumps the only place that can absorb that is the roof panel.

Eventually they let water in, this can be slowed by forcing some mastic into the seam. Another alternative that is not as pretty is to use a flexible clear sealing tape made by 3m, need to make sure you get a genuine 3m version as that's the only one rated for outdoor use.

Im beggining to get a bit worried about my diff also. Starting to make a howling noise which wasn't there before, and now it is obvious but hardly offensive at the moment. I was puttting it down to maybe the tyre's and how they have worn, but I doubt it. My car has 36000km's and is 2012 110. Im about to get my 3rd set of wheel hub seals next week, so if it has developed more by then, I suppose I shall ask them to look at the diff also. The dealer who sold me the car has been good and has shown his concern about the potential and continuous issues. I told him I love the car but am worried about it's durability outside of warranty. If it all settles then I will be a happy camper, if not then it will probably force my hand a little about what to do about it. Cross my fingers.

Originally Posted by voltron

Im beggining to get a bit worried about my diff also. Starting to make a howling noise which wasn't there before, and now it is obvious but hardly offensive at the moment. I was puttting it down to maybe the tyre's and how they have worn, but I doubt it. My car has 36000km's and is 2012 110. Im about to get my 3rd set of wheel hub seals next week, so if it has developed more by then, I suppose I shall ask them to look at the diff also. The dealer who sold me the car has been good and has shown his concern about the potential and continuous issues. I told him I love the car but am worried about it's durability outside of warranty. If it all settles then I will be a happy camper, if not then it will probably force my hand a little about what to do about it. Cross my fingers.

Does the noise change depending on the amount of throttle? If yes then probably diff or maybe transfer case. If not then possibly tyres. Are they MT/R's on Sawtooth alloys? (this howl after 20,000k's)

Originally Posted by justinc

That is unacceptable. Make some noise, LOUDLY. Woeful, Woeful product support, LRA you SHOULD BE ASHAMED!!! I know you are listening/ reading!!!

I too have replaced many p38 diffs in Puma defenders, even the rover front diffs, too. ALL at very low KM's.

IMO it is clearly down to product a failure; whether it be materials quality or QC I don't know, I just am appalled at the number of them that fail with NO provocation!!


JC

JC, sounds like more than just a set-up problem now.
Any idea who the supplier is of CWP's now vs the Td5/Tdi era ?

Originally Posted by rick130

JC, sounds like more than just a set-up problem now.
Any idea who the supplier is of CWP's now vs the Td5/Tdi era ?

No idea, but they certainly have gone backwards in QC and materials I feel.

Used to be able to run a 350HP chevvy infront of std 24 spline rover diffs (Not too hard I might add) and expect them to last longer than 30K...

JC