Thread: Puma Defender 2.2 - Clunky Gearbox

Originally Posted by jackdef90

It's vented so that won't work.
i can't remember exactly how accessible it is, I'm at sea, can you remove the filling line , I think it's like a 3 way hose thing with the vent incorporated.
Maybe that will make it easier to fish around inside the tank

Guessing I will have to remove the tank and filling tube.......it doesn't seem to hard on the 130 as its just located under the tray at the rear. Now just need to run the tank down so it doesn't weigh 50+ kgs!

What do you think about the front diff oil and play in the drive shaft? I remember you mentioned the rear diffs have problems............

a bit of play is ok and perfectly normal,
Your 130 will have a beefier rear diff than mine, ... I think.
As for the black oil I reckon maybe drive for a 1000 kms and then check it again also check the breather for it look for any signs of water ingress. I've inly changed diff oils on my 90 once myself and oil looked pretty good, it wasn't black and it gets used off-road a lot.
Im no expert maybe post a thread.

Originally Posted by PAUL200

Guessing I will have to remove the tank and filling tube.......it doesn't seem to hard on the 130 as its just located under the tray at the rear. Now just need to run the tank down so it doesn't weigh 50+ kgs!

What do you think about the front diff oil and play in the drive shaft? I remember you mentioned the rear diffs have problems............

Hey Paul, I'm not a professional mechanic but from what I understand there can be some migration of grease from the swivels/bearings into the front diff oil, this could be contributing to oil colour. How black is it? If it's really dark I reckon I'd change it. If it's got water in it will be going milky.
...Agree, a little free play in driveshaft when stationary is normal I think, but hopefully one of pro brains trust here will reply to your Q.

My wife happily drives the Defender, after a bit of practice at slowing down the gear changes and making sure the clutch is out before she accelerates. Our daughter has also driven it without complaint. Its just a slower gear change than in a sporty little hatch, but we don't find that an issue.

First to second in mine is a bit notchy when cold, but fine when warm. Pause in neutral in the mornings. It's not a car-like gearbox which is good! Having said that, if it really clunked! Or was getting worse, I'd be taking it back to get checked out.

Well took my new Puma back to the dealer to get them to check it out. I drove another new one they had on the lot and that had smoother changes than mine.Their Service Manager, who is a Pomm and has been around Defenders for a while drove mine, his changes were clunky and then said he can't see that there is much wrong. Go figure!
So I am about to go on a road trip to Cairns towing my van and the plan is we will re-evaluate when I get back and put it in for its first service. I got the feeling they were trying to flog me off a bit but I didn't expect much else but will see if it settles down at all after the trip.

CJ

Originally Posted by conjames

Well took my new Puma back to the dealer to get them to check it out. I drove another new one they had on the lot and that had smoother changes than mine.Their Service Manager, who is a Pomm and has been around Defenders for a while drove mine, his changes were clunky and then said he can't see that there is much wrong. Go figure!
So I am about to go on a road trip to Cairns towing my van and the plan is we will re-evaluate when I get back and put it in for its first service. I got the feeling they were trying to flog me off a bit but I didn't expect much else but will see if it settles down at all after the trip.

CJ

Sounds like their standard response CJ. If you're still not happy and you think the other vehicle definitely had smoother changes, you should go back again IMO. Ask them to drive both too perhaps. Best wishes for your trip.

Yep, go back after your trip and have them take a good look.

I had difficulty selecting 1st to 2nd, with the occasional grind... way more than another vehicle on the lot. I too was given the standard line.

I politely insisted they fix it during a subsequent visit and they contacted the Land Rover Engineer's who got them to perform some tests and take an oil sample. The mechanic guest correctly when he saw the silvery streak in the sample.... the synchro on 2nd was dying

3 weeks later I had a new box and a greased lay shaft fitted. It is a different beast now (largely due to the lay shaft I think) and a pleasure to drive. 1st to 2nd is back to what it should be because of the low gearing... slow deliberate movement, with a light pause

Good luck and I hope it gets sorted soon.

Pete