Thread: Ashcroft MT82 Adaptor Shaft - install question

Thanks for the update - despite the slightly unsatisfactory outcome (for now).

You've saved $400 installation fee in the short term - time to spend it on something else!

Indeed. My wonderful wife has been suggesting I should invest in a bull bar and winch, perhaps also a light bar.

Originally Posted by Simon

Indeed. My wonderful wife has been suggesting I should invest in a bull bar and winch, perhaps also a light bar.

Hi Simon, I can understand dealers not wanting to replace original couplings with after market parts. My experience with after market couplings has not been good. I replaced the original coupling when the gearbox was out to replace the failed clutch. The new coupling failed after 15,000k's. Just after I had completed a central Aust trip. If it had failed a week earlier I would have been in trouble. The second after market part failed after 11,000k's I then replaced the second one with an original part.
The failures presented as gearbox oil leaking in the area of the coupling.
My advice would be to only use original parts. there is a way to make these original parts serviceable, a search on this site might help.
hope this helps,
Chris

Originally Posted by lightwing

Hi Simon, I can understand dealers not wanting to replace original couplings with after market parts. My experience with after market couplings has not been good. I replaced the original coupling when the gearbox was out to replace the failed clutch. The new coupling failed after 15,000k's. Just after I had completed a central Aust trip. If it had failed a week earlier I would have been in trouble. The second after market part failed after 11,000k's I then replaced the second one with an original part.
The failures presented as gearbox oil leaking in the area of the coupling.
My advice would be to only use original parts. there is a way to make these original parts serviceable, a search on this site might help.
hope this helps,
Chris

The Ashcroft kit use's genuine parts, engineering wise it's a far superior solution than Land Rovers idea of replacing, slapping on some grease and hoping for the best. The TC will need dropping again to re-grease the splines in 20-30,000k's time. As long as you treat it as a service item, then I guess it shouldn't be a worry.

Chris, was the failure of the aftermarket couplings on your Defender? or another vehicle?

Originally Posted by ozy013

The Ashcroft kit use's genuine parts, engineering wise it's a far superior solution than Land Rovers idea of replacing, slapping on some grease and hoping for the best. The TC will need dropping again to re-grease the splines in 20-30,000k's time. As long as you treat it as a service item, then I guess it shouldn't be a worry.

Chris, was the failure of the aftermarket couplings on your Defender? or another vehicle?

The failure seems to be the seal and not the actual shaft.As you say the Ashcroft kit uses genuine parts. Looking at the kit it looks to me that the seal could be easily damaged on installation.That's why when I get mine done I won't be doing it myself.

Originally Posted by ozy013

The Ashcroft kit use's genuine parts, engineering wise it's a far superior solution than Land Rovers idea of replacing, slapping on some grease and hoping for the best. The TC will need dropping again to re-grease the splines in 20-30,000k's time. As long as you treat it as a service item, then I guess it shouldn't be a worry.

Chris, was the failure of the aftermarket couplings on your Defender? or another vehicle?

Hi ozi013, the vehicle was my 09 defender110. As you say the aftermarket kit is made from genuine parts, but they are modified parts and the failure that occurred on both of the adapter shafts that I had fitted resulted in gearbox oil leaking out through the adapter shaft housing. both of these shaft kits were installed by reputable L/R mechanics.
I think the answer lies with finding a way to lubricate the original shaft splines. This has been done and a search on this site should find the info needed.
Interestingly, there was no obvious damage to the shaft seal that could be seen after removal. So I don't know why the failures occurred, this is why I ended up fitting an original unmodified MT82 output shaft.

Thought I should update. The dealer has inspected the adaptor shaft and replaced with a new LR part. They reported some red dust and thinning of the splines = covered under warranty. Also reported the new shaft has been well greased.

Originally Posted by Simon

Thought I should update. The dealer has inspected the adaptor shaft and replaced with a new LR part. They reported some red dust and thinning of the splines = covered under warranty. Also reported the new shaft has been well greased.

Nice. So is the Ashcroft going back on a pedestal in the Bat Cave, until it is needed?