Pre Trip service for Disco 3 V8

[PeterDisco3]

We're going on a 3 month caravan trip covering about 10,000ks including Fraser Island, Carnarvon Gorge, Warrumbungles, Broken Hill, Flinders Ranges, Uluru then home to Sydney via Grampians. Just completed major 100,000 k service which included new compressor, under warranty luckily. I'm toying with the idea of doing a transmission oil change and have been quoted $1450 by Alto Land Rover St Leonards.

My question is, do you think I should do it now or roll the dice and wait till I get back. We've had the car since 80k and done three short trips towing the van down to the South coast. The previous owner didnt do any towing or significant off road and the car has been running beautifully since we've had it.

I supposed I'd prefer to use the $1450 on food, beer and fun but am I potentially going to damage the transmission adding an extra 10K of reasonably heavy workload. All our trip is on bitumen (except a few days on fraser without the van) and we havent planned any more than 400k travel days, having 3 small kids. Most of our "hops" will be under 300ks.

I'd much appreciate anyones thoughts.

Cheers

[Tote]

I'd do:
Trans oil change (if doing Fraser the trans will work hard)
Consider the transfer case, I think the recommended oil change is at 115K
Consider diffs, particularly the rear one if an E diff
Air filter element if not recently changed
Brake pads and discs will need to be checked. I get about 80 K out of a set so they may have already been done

Oh, and consider fitting suspension links or a LLAMS so you don't tear your back bumper off on a creek on Fraser like I did when I was last there due to not noticing that the suspension had dropped from off road height.

Regards,
Tote

[lotsmaw]

... been quoted $1450 by Alto Land Rover St Leonards.

$1450 to change the transmission fluid? Do they realise they can reuse the actual transmission and just replace the fluid etc?

Bill

[Tote]

$1450 to change the transmission fluid? Do they realise they can reuse the actual transmission and just replace the fluid etc?

Bill

Although the price from the dealer might be a bit pricy the transmission fluid for a ZF 6hp24 is in the $40 - $60 a litre price range. New (reco) transmissions are $7000 fitted.
Regards,
Tote

[tomalophicon]

I'd do it, but not if it was going to cost $1450.
There is a Disco 1 for sale on Carsales for $1500 :D

[gusthedog]

REMOVED: I thought it was a D2 Not D3 Sorry

[Tote]

The OP has a disco 3, different transmission.
Regards,
Tote

[101RRS]

I would get it done - but at a good independant or at a ZF dealer. For $1450 I would expect the plastic sump replaced for a steel one and a full on mega flush - I doubt the dealer will be doing a mega flush.

Even with all that, you should be able to manage a better price.

Garry

[Geedublya]

20l of genuine fluid is $500 from ZF in Sydney. They can also supply the steel pan, filter and gasket. Add another $400. Get a transmission specialist to do the fluid swap for $300 and you have saved $250 and still have a lot of fluid for the next change.

Or alternatively use this guy (http://stores.ebay.com.au/Furious-Performance/ZF-6HP26-6-Speed-/_i.html?_fsub=2799714011&_sid=80158341&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322) in Brookvale for the fluid and parts he is a little closer but more expensive.

More info (http://www.furitech.com.au/index.php/category/zf-friedrichshafen-ag/6hp26/).