Clunky Puma Gearbox

[Witchdoctor]

Test drove my second Defender & first 90 yesterday, found the gearbox rather clunky 1st to 2nd & 3rd back to 2nd.
Is this a normal thing?
I do understand they are trucks but i'm about to spend, if this is standard i can handle that.
Appreciate input.

Cheers
David

[camel_landy]

How you drive them makes a big difference too... If you try for fast changes, you'll find it clunky. Take your time with the changes, you'll find it a lot smoother.

The Defender isn't built for speed... ;)

M

[spudboy]

Also - the box gets better with a few thousand KMs on it, but yeah - it's not a racing box, it's a truck.

[Symo]

Heaps better after a few 1000k, a pig when cold but if you take your time it's fine. As all say, it's not a racing box.

[Sue]

I can drive mine with virtually no noise at gear changes.. but put someone else behind the wheel and it's a clunking all over the place.. :o

As camel_landy said, a lot of it is how you drive it and you do get used to the gear box quickly...:)

[spudboy]

Mrs Spud, who normally drives an automatic, can really murder the PUMA gearbox :wasntme:

[newhue]

Mine has 60k on it and third has started to develop a definite clunk into 3rd. It's not all the time and quite often noticed more with a slower than normal change. It doexnt make any noise, but you feel the selectors clunking into place. Ocassionally it gets a bit tight going into third as well.
You do need to have the clutch all the way down otherwise it doesn't chage well.

[TimNZ]

Mine has 60k on it and third has started to develop a definite clunk into 3rd. It's not all the time and quite often noticed more with a slower than normal change. It doexnt make any noise, but you feel the selectors clunking into place. Ocassionally it gets a bit tight going into third as well.
You do need to have the clutch all the way down otherwise it doesn't chage well.

Is there any sign of a rusty coloured stain coming out of the hole in the bottom of the gearbox extension housing, (before the transfer box)? If there is I would seriously recommend getting the splines on the output shaft of the gearbox inspected.

Cheers,

Tim

[NT5224]

With just a few of thousand on the clock the Puma is settling in nicely-
I agree that leisurely gear changes help.

As somebody wrote on here a little while back, a Puma gear change is actually two moves. First, a deliberate shift to neutral and then a move into your selected gear.

Great advice, and when you get used to it, very little clunking on gear change. Don't worry about all the leadfoots in their oriental bubblecars behind you. Nice and slow does the trick...

cheers

Alan

[Chops]

With just a few of thousand on the clock the Puma is settling in nicely-
I agree that leisurely gear changes help.

As somebody wrote on here a little while back, a Puma gear change is actually two moves. First, a deliberate shift to neutral and then a move into your selected gear.

Great advice, and when you get used to it, very little clunking on gear change. Don't worry about all the leadfoots in their oriental bubblecars behind you. Nice and slow does the trick...

cheers

Alan

I wish it were this easy in the city (Melb), one of my "pro's and "con's" theories when getting the Defer, was it would slow me down,, "I'd be more relaxed" as a driver,,,, :mad: fat chance,, :(

[jplambs]

As others have said it definitely improves once you get a few thousand on the clock, it is also a lot more fluid once warmed up. When I took one for a test drive it was very embarrassing - I stalled it once - however now that I have it I have adjusted my driving accordingly and almost never hear any cluncks.

[Witchdoctor]

I would like to thank all members that helped out with my concerns, we will be proceding with our purchase of the 90 :D

David

[chook73]

I would like to thank all members that helped out with my concerns, we will be proceding with our purchase of the 90 :D

David

Congratulations I hope you enjoy it as much as I do......

[Dockstrada]

I would like to thank all members that helped out with my concerns, we will be proceding with our purchase of the 90 :D

David

I had no input but congrats !

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/1039.jpg

[Naks]

I had major clunking on my Puma since brand new.

After much fighting, LR replaced the gearbox - no improvement.

After much more fighting, LR replaced the clutch - no more clunking.

[BilboBoggles]

07 Puma with 90,000k's on it since new. Had driving clunks at various times throughout it's life. All comes down to clutch handling skill, as even with the faults below you can drive it clunk free if you are very carefully. But there have been several mechanical causes too:

1 - pinion spines on rear diff were sloppy, they loctited it and that's been quiet since.
2 - Axle splines in hubs wear out every 60,000 ks or so. causing clunking on take off.
3 - Clutches, if a spring breaks it will clunk. I've had 3 clutches, most recently just after the warranty expired - luckily they covered that under warranty. The clutches seem to last a few months and then go back to their clunkiness. Living with it now.

Clunking is actually the least noise to worry about on a defender, Particularly the Puma. Be more worried about chirping when you switch off, or strange vibrations...

[newhue]

Is there any sign of a rusty coloured stain coming out of the hole in the bottom of the gearbox extension housing, (before the transfer box)? If there is I would seriously recommend getting the splines on the output shaft of the gearbox inspected.

Cheers,

Tim

dunno but will have a look. It had a new transfer case whacked in it last week so I'd hope the LR specialist they are would have noticed.

thanks

edit
Just looked, it appears to have black rubbery sealent in it. I'm looking at a half moon drain hole 4" in front of the transfer. Should that be in there, or should I hook it out?

[newhue]

I had major clunking on my Puma since brand new.

After much fighting, LR replaced the gearbox - no improvement.

After much more fighting, LR replaced the clutch - no more clunking.

After they replaced my gearbox mounts, no more clunking.

[gasman]

Mrs Spud, who normally drives an automatic, can really murder the PUMA gearbox :wasntme:
Mine too. Now that the D3 is back in action, she's back in that, thank God!

[gasman]

Be more worried about chirping when you switch off, or strange vibrations...

I have just re-read these posts and yes the chirping.
Thats why we call him "Uncle Buck" If you have seen the movie you would understand why!

[wally]

There was a tech bulletin released recently - LTB00448v5 (v5 for version 5) for hesitation and engine flare on gear change. It involves a software update to the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). I have just had it done and it makes a big improvement to low speed drivability especially first to second gear changes. It is for Defenders in chassis # range ca423911 - da431347, which apparently covers most 2012 and 2013 vehicles.

[Tikka7mm08]

I just had my 08 Puma 90 clutch switch shorted (looped)...big difference in ease of gear changes - lot less clunking.

[Aaron]

Don't worry about all the leadfoots in their oriental bubblecars behind you.

Agreed. And also, The closer they get, the less you see of them! And if they want to get really close there is some cross member waiting for them. Its classic one on one self defense. Put the offender in the position to choose their own outcome. The level of pain is up to them. (thread hijack /over)