Advice: Pre Gunbarrel service brief for tdi Defender

[JamesH]

Hi

I'm writing out a To Do list for the mechanic when he does a full service on the Defender before I take it out to the Gunbarrel and Connie Sue.

I had a recent one off drop in the coolant level and the brake fluid level so I'm getting them to look around the braking and cooling systems for any signs of trouble.

Got them checking the rear axle breather, had a mate do the seals out bush once because of a blocked breather.

Radiator core is 2-3 years old (20000k max). How about a flush?

Getting a new (main) battery. Current one seems fine but it's five years old and from what Ive read here, Ive had a good run. Running fridge and a versa light each night might be too much to ask.

Anything else I should ask about? it's at 231000KM, no belts due.

cheers

[justinc]

Hi james, jealous, that trip will be fantastic:)

I would definately pay close attention to wheel bearings, and shocks/ shock rubbers.

A good all round service and levels check obviously but being a Defender all else should be A1!:)


Have a good time!

JC

[Ean Austral]

Suspension Suspension Suspension..

The gunbarrel was very corrigated when we did it a year ago, and met people who had come up the connie Sue and they said the same about it.


Shocks and springs and any bushes.. priority 1.

Seen a Pajero on the canning who had been waiting 6 days for the other car they were travelling with to drive to Newman and Back for new shocks and springs.

Enjoy the trip

Cheers Ean

[JamesH]

Thanks, Justin & Ean.

I'll get the suspension given a good going over. Got newish HD front springs but the rear are original from 1996. The front Bilsteins would be near on 12 years old, the rears about 7. I still have the original steering damper. Ive had them look at it before but they reckon it's fine.

I'll put the trip plans on a blog post.

cheers

[bblaze]

done the gunbarrel in 2009, shockies, shockies and shockies. I got a lot of fade and wished I spent more on shockies. 2 spares and low tyre pressure
cheers
blaze

[Michael2]

Hoses / Belts and all the little pulley bearings on the front cover. I think they're all the same size, cost under $5ea and you can do them yourself (or at least carry spares).

Spare RH & LH Tie rods; Uni; Wheel Bearing; filters... (you know already)

Check the A-Frame ball.

Carry 2 Jacks.

[JamesH]

Ive got the old belts as spares and will take a couple of fuel filters. Have two spare wheels, and a hi-lift. Must remember to take brake, clutch and engine oils.

If the corrugations are too bad I'm going to throw the towel in at Neale Junction and head back to the main road via the Annie Beadell. I took the Mitchell Plateau Rd before grading and it did my head in, even though the car was fine.

[isuzurover]

What the others have said.

When doing the wheel bearings, make sure the axles and drive flanges are thoroughly checked for wear, and the flange bolts loctited properly on reassembly.

[JamesH]

What the others have said.

When doing the wheel bearings, make sure the axles and drive flanges are thoroughly checked for wear, and the flange bolts loctited properly on reassembly.

Thanks. I have maxi drives on the rear. I vaguely recall bearings being done years ago. Might pull out the old invoices.

[PAT303]

Don't forget inside as well,you can't have enough tie down points and pack an extra towel for laying over the food in the fridge so when you close the lid nothing moves inside.I'll be doing the same trip the third week in december. Pat