Thread: Total loss of drive....bugger!

Originally Posted by ozy013

Ok, quick update, ordered all the parts from Ashcrofts yesterday. ATB centre, HD crown wheel and pinion, HD half shafts, HD Cv's, and finally HD drive flanges.
Hopefully back on the road by next weekend.

HD Crown wheel and pinion?? Im assuming the 3.54 ratio will be maintained?
How much stronger is the hd C&P compared to standard??

Yes maintaining standard ratio, Ashcrofts is 3.5 with 28 teeth on the crown wheel and 8 on the pinion.

The stock ratio of 3.54 is 46/13, the 28/8 is almost the same ratio, but with fewer wider teeth, which is able to absorb higher shock loading, the only down side is a slight increase in noise.

I did look at diff pegging as well, to keep the gears in constant mesh, but after speaking to Dave over the weekend, I decided that it would probably be overkill for what I use my rig for. Plus with all the upgrades I'm doing, the front axle should be strong enough.

Well it's been awhile, but my front diff is now back together.
The delay in shipping was due to the Ashcroft parts, along with many others, being held by customs after they discovered a heap of drugs in farm machinery a couple of weeks ago.

I had a call from Pickards on Thursday to say the Defender was up and running and that they were very happy with the quality of the Ashcroft parts.
However on taking the vehicle for a test drive they discovered an unusual vibration from the engine between 2500-3000rpm.
They wanted me to come for a drive, which I did today, and the vibration is definatley there. It wasn't present before the loss of drive a month or so ago now.
They've checked the driveline, engine mounts, ball joints etc etc etc. But it seems to be clutch / engine related. It doesn't happen all the time just at the above mentioned rev range.

So it's back to MCLR we go, I will call them tomorrow and try to organise a technician to take it for a drive. I guess in the dealers defence, they never really had a chance to road test the clutch they fitted. The front diff decided to let go before they hit the road.

I know they're going to try to dodge the bullet and look elsewhere for the vibration, but Pickards have checked everything else and it certainly looks like the clutch is the issue.

So tomorrow I pick her up, then let the fun and games begin.......will keep you posted.

Thats unfortunate mate. Maybe they could write a report saying what they've checked and what they believe is the issue????

How do you find the new front axle set up? Correct me if im wrong but you've upgraded the half shafts, cv's, C&P and stub axles??? Noise? Backlash??

Haven't really had a chance to drive it any distance, they just wanted to make sure it wasn't a vibration that was there prior to the loss of drive. It was just a quick 5 minute job around the block

Backlash on the short drive around the block was all but gone. Yep, ATB centre, HD crown wheel and pinion, HD axles, HD CV's and Flanges. Already fitted last year Ashcrofts ouput shaft, and HD rear axles and flange(HI-Tuff)

Don't really want to venture off road yet and give it a good workout, not until this vibration is sorted.

Well this arvo, I finally drove it home from Pickards. The backlash in the driveline is totally gone, and except for the vibration, which is also there at idle, it's great to drive.

Pickards put it back on the hoist on Friday, after my drive with the mechanic, to try to isolate the vibration. It was then they discovered that my transfer case is now leaking, not only that but the dealer forgot to plug in my park brake light loom, and they left this little part sitting in the footwell on the passenger side.

DSC_0230.jpg

I was going to ask here if anyone knew where it was supposed to be fitted, but i think I've found the answer here;

Looks like it's a support bracket for the high/low range lever.(Number 2)
Would the lack of this support bracket be causing the vibration?

After inspecting the leaking transfer case on arriving home, the leak is pretty bad, it's dripping on the driveway. ( I'll take some photo's tomorrow when the light's better). I've decided to call the Dealer on Monday and book it in to try to get them to rectify the issues they've caused. The transfer case wasn't leaking before it went into Landrover, and neither was the vibration there. So lets hope they come to the party and sort it without trying to charge me.

I'll be so happy when this whole saga is behind me, and I can venture of road again. Ah well one step at a time

The missing bracket could quite possibly be the reason for the vibration, although without seeing and hearing it this is purely a guess.

Wow Ian how are you staying calm
How can any one have faith in dealers when this crap consistently happens .
Hope its sorted soon and for the positive mate