2013 Puma Driveline Slack/"Clunk"?

**Pickles2** · 27th November 2016, 07:22 AM

I think this issue has been mentioned before, but I couldn't locate it in a search.
Anyway, we've had Gracie, our 90, for 3 years now, she's our first Defender, and when we bought her we were told Defenders are all different, they rattle they leak all that sort of stuff that you've all heard.
Anyway, even sinse new, Gracie's always had what I would term as slackness/freeplay or whatever in the driveline. It's evident when starting off, during a gearchange, it's difficult to avoid a clunk. It's also noticeable if say your stopped, select reverse, then 1st to move off & ya'll get that sound like a bit of freeplay somewhere.
Gracie has always been like this, she's now done almost 50,000ks, but the other day I drove another Defender, a 110, which didn't appear to have any play/slackness in the driveline at all, so I was just wondering whether what I am experiencing is normal.
Any comments please, Pickles.

**1nando** · 27th November 2016, 07:35 AM

Pickles mate,

Could be:
Rear axles
Flanges all round
Gearbox output shaft
Pinion backlash (diff)
Loose suspension bolts (eg a-frame bolts) i had this recently.

Id start by upgrading your rear axles and replacing your flanges all round. More than likely this should go a long way to removing a lot of that slack then work from there

Sent from my SM-G925I using AULRO mobile app

**roverrescue** · 27th November 2016, 08:43 AM

Also add centre differential in t-case to the above list
It will most likely be a combination of multiple areas of wear
All contributing to looseness between your 90 and the 110

S

**Pickles2** · 27th November 2016, 03:46 PM

There actually seems to be two different & separate "noises", which happen at different times.
One sounds like a lot of slack/freeplay in somthing like the actual driveline,...unis etc. when changing gears.
The other is a very definite sort of "click", which happens when you reverse, then you stop, place in 1st gear, and as you let the clutch out, there's a sort of "click" from the rear, diff area, as if something is taking up the slack from going from reverse to first?
Pickles.

**1nando** · 27th November 2016, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by Pickles2

There actually seems to be two different & separate "noises", which happen at different times.
One sounds like a lot of slack/freeplay in somthing like the actual driveline,...unis etc. when changing gears.
The other is a very definite sort of "click", which happens when you reverse, then you stop, place in 1st gear, and as you let the clutch out, there's a sort of "click" from the rear, diff area, as if something is taking up the slack from going from reverse to first?
Pickles.

The click sound from 1st to reverse was something i experienced and it was loose aframe bolts

Sent from my SM-G925I using AULRO mobile app

**Beery** · 27th November 2016, 06:44 PM

I get that "click/clink" from the rear too. I think its the ball joint on the A frame. Annoying as all getout. LR can sort it out under warranty.

**bemm52** · 27th November 2016, 08:09 PM

could be normal LR noise wife's 90 is noisy as you describe (2013)

My 130 (2013) changes gear no different to the 90 but maybe the noise is muted due to distance from drive train,

this is what the dealer said when I raised the question

now well and truly out of warranty but no issues except turbo hose

s both vehicles now silicon

Cheers Paul

**Pickles2** · 27th November 2016, 08:24 PM

Thanks guys.
Look, I reckon everything is OK, I haven't noticed any changes in 3 yrs, 50ks, I just want it confirmed that this "normal"'.....before warranty runs out!
Pickles.

**YOLO110** · 28th November 2016, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by Pickles2

Thanks guys.
Look, I reckon everything is OK, I haven't noticed any changes in 3 yrs, 50ks, I just want it confirmed that this "normal"'.....before warranty runs out!
Pickles.

If I was you mate, I would raise this as a warantee concern with your dealer.

There response should be to investigate... then possibly replace your rear shafts with 'solid' items at the very least.

Also, how is your clutch... many on here are one there 3rd!!!

Driveline 'slack' is indeed a characteristic of the Defender... however it depends how much is reasonable...?

Good luck!

**debruiser** · 28th November 2016, 06:53 AM

hey

my 2013 D90 has a bit of slack in it too, but if you're aware of it and drive smooth it's ok, I'd love to upgrade axles and that but money is a problem. It is on the list; it will jump up the list if I manage to break an axle

I'm on my 2nd clutch, first one was changed under warranty when they did the rear main seal. Not sure if they changed it because it was apart or weather it was on the way out however the new one felt a bit better although a bit sudden for a month or so.

I also think that we 90 drivers are more aware of the noises that the rear end make simply because we are closer to it! just think about those stones that get thrown up against the rear wheel arch and how often you need to stop and change your underwear because of it.

BTW I've got 67000kms on her now.

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