Puma Defender 2.2 - Clunky Gearbox

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Originally Posted by conjames

I think if they tightened up the drive train it would be a better vehicle to drive. At the moment, I can shift it without the clunking as long as I do the accelerator lift off thing before engaging gear. This means that it's a one man car, anybody else tries to drive it, and it's a nightmare. Scares the crap out of the misses.
I suppose I look at it from a pragmatic view, one spends nearly $60k on a vehicle, you would expect some of the basics working well. It seems from a lot of the posts here that the Defender hard nuts don't care if they spend a large amount of money and get a lot of bad design issues because it's a DEFENDER. But I still like truck :-)
One also wonders how many of the people who post here on this subject actually have a Puma Defender, maybe you need to Own one to understand ..... Then again, maybe not.

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I'm confused about the one man car comment.

Also as a 'misses' I found the clunking reassuring coz it meant it had gone into gear and had told me loudly. Not sure what is so scarey about that?

Being pragmatic also, it is what it is so you either need to accept that and move on or sell it.

Complaining about how uacceptable it is to a bunch of Defender die hards isn't going to change a thing. :D

Sent from my SM-G920I using AULRO mobile app

It is quite interesting how an original post of a concern about clunky gear changes and if this was normal or not can regress to a stage where any comment that could be taken negatively against the Defender brand attracts the rath of the Defender lovers. It is a unique car and I suppose when you see an absolute multitude of complaints online about Puma issues, one can understand having some concerns.
Nope, not selling my Puma thanks.
I think it's a good thing we keep an open mind on these things instead of a knee jerk reaction jumping on a mobile app and having a crack.

Signing off....getting a bit hot in this kitchen.

I have the same gearbox issue with my 2014 Puma.

Although it doesn't grind there is slight resistance and delay when changing from 1st to 2nd. It is noticeably worse when cold and improves quite quickly after use. I read somewhere that if you add 'friction modifier' (no idea what brand etc..) then it solves the problem. Its not a huge issue to be honest.......just slightly concerning......

Has anybody tried using different transmission fluids and noticed any difference?

Con,
Youve probably got an issue with your vehicle, maybe rear axles and flanges or your diffs arent set up properly. It happens even on a new car, take it back to the dealer and tell them. Maybe first pull out your jack and do a bit of fault finding under your car. Theres youtube videos on how to track where the slack is coming from and the only thing you need is a jack, that way you can make sure the dealer listens to you.
If you do a search on any vehicle there will be an array of complaints about supposed issues with them, because people dont go online to just write "oh my car has no problems its driving really well at the moment", its also well documented that the warranty period for these cars is very much a teething period, so chin up.

Just for the record.......changed the gearbox oil from Castrol Syntrans to Penrite 75W-90 today......slight improvement noted from 1st to 2nd.....especially when cold - however the resistance is still there. Will just have to get used to it I suppose!

During my 'inspection' I noticed there is some play in the drive shaft between the transfer case and front differential.......is this normal? The oil out the front differential was sort of blackish as well? Oil out the rear diff was like new.

Noticed some small metal build up on the transfer case magnetic plug.....probably from when I crunched it by mistake on the dunes!

Also had a special moment.....filling up the tank with a jerry can.....then the f**king rubber nozzle fell off and has gone into the fuel tank...any ideas how I'm going to get it out!?

Maybe something like this?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...015/09/903.jpg

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Originally Posted by PAUL200

Just for the record.......changed the gearbox oil from Castrol Syntrans to Penrite 75W-90 today......slight improvement noted from 1st to 2nd.....especially when cold - however the resistance is still there. Will just have to get used to it I suppose!

During my 'inspection' I noticed there is some play in the drive shaft between the transfer case and front differential.......is this normal? The oil out the front differential was sort of blackish as well? Oil out the rear diff was like new.

Noticed some small metal build up on the transfer case magnetic plug.....probably from when I crunched it by mistake on the dunes!

Also had a special moment.....filling up the tank with a jerry can.....then the f**king rubber nozzle fell off and has gone into the fuel tank...any ideas how I'm going to get it out!?

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Originally Posted by PAUL200

Just for the record.......changed the gearbox oil from Castrol Syntrans to Penrite 75W-90 today......slight improvement noted from 1st to 2nd.....especially when cold - however the resistance is still there. Will just have to get used to it I suppose!

During my 'inspection' I noticed there is some play in the drive shaft between the transfer case and front differential.......is this normal? The oil out the front differential was sort of blackish as well? Oil out the rear diff was like new.

Noticed some small metal build up on the transfer case magnetic plug.....probably from when I crunched it by mistake on the dunes!

Also had a special moment.....filling up the tank with a jerry can.....then the f**king rubber nozzle fell off and has gone into the fuel tank...any ideas how I'm going to get it out!?

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I did that last week. Buggered about and hooked it out with a stick. Hadn't gone all the way in. Funnel for next time.

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Originally Posted by mekon76

I did that last week. Buggered about and hooked it out with a stick. Hadn't gone all the way in. Funnel for next time.

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I thought it might be stuck in the bend....tried squeezing the rubber hose but couldn't feel anything. Also tried looking with a torch....cant see a thing down there!

Probably going to to remove the fuel tank. However this could be a good excuse to fit a long range fuel tank - do they make one for the 130?

I could buy one of those ridiculous fibre optic cameras and try and find it then use the grabber to catch it. Do you think it floats or sinks in the diesel?

Paul
I've dropped a plastic funnel adaptor from my mr funnel down the filler before, I was on the side of the road 500 kms from home. I resorted to using a fishing hook and some line and managed to snag it and pull it out.
By the way are you the old 2nd mate from the swift?

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Originally Posted by jackdef90

Paul
I've dropped a plastic funnel adaptor from my mr funnel down the filler before, I was on the side of the road 500 kms from home. I resorted to using a fishing hook and some line and managed to snag it and pull it out.
By the way are you the old 2nd mate from the swift?

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Hey Jack,

Yes I was on the Swift! I had a feeling it was you......

Seems like this is a common problem...

I think the funnels gone all the way into the tank......what if I ran the tank down to empty then stuck a vacuum cleaner hose down the tank I might be able to suck it out or something?!