Puma Chassis Flex

[Green Elephant]

Hi guys!

I have a '12 Puma 110 Wagon - recently put 285/75/16 on steel pro comp wheels. I decided to do some guard/flare clearance tests.

At near full articulation I decided to jump out of the truck and take some pics... I made the mistake of opening the rear tail gate while the truck was all crossed up. The tail gate seemed to open fine. However when I went to close the tail gate to drive back onto level ground, it would not close...without some persuasion that is. It left a nice scratch on the roof sill/channel but I managed to get it shut.

I can only assume this was due to the chassis flex? Has anyone else had a similar experience with their Puma, or even older model? No spare was fitted to the standard rear wheel carrier at the time of testing...

[BilboBoggles]

Yes - My 2003 TD5 does this as did my 2009 Puma. Does not take much flex of the chassis to move the body around. One of the attractions of the defender is it's Body flexibility - which is because it all screws or pop rivets together and is directly bolted to the chassis.

Don't worry that little bit of flex actually improves your articulation!

Just don't open the door unless you have to.....

(this also happens on normal cars too - I remember I used to have an old HZ Kingswood that popped it's rear window out when I did a bit of offroading.)



JUST one other comment - It's very brave of you to go to non standard tyres! Please take care - as you will/probably have voided your driveline warranty, and believe me you are likely to need it. So don't let your dealer know these were fitted.

[cal415]

This is normal, my puma and 85 county both suffer from it at full articulation, a defenders body is hard mounted to the chassis - no rubber mounts, so what ever flex the chassis gets is reflected in the body.

[Green Elephant]

Thanks for the info.

Coming from a racecar background I was a bit alarmed when it happened, but I guess the extra articulation from the chassis flex can only help with offroading.

I only opened the tailgate to let the dogs out, they were getting concerned with the angles. I may have to come up with another way of accessing recovery gear from the boot.

From what I read the T/C problems were all related to oil levels and heat from the puma exhaust and only hear good things about the gearbox. When the 285's were fitted I had not researched the Puma diffs at all, simply assumed something rated to tow 3500kg would be up to the task of 33's or even 35's on a standard unloaded Deefer. I now know that my assumptions were wrong.

I hope no dealers are watching this thread! Most of the time the stock alloys and continental tyres are on the truck. Having said that, when the diffs let go, I am tossing up whether to chase warranty for the same part to be replaced and inevitably fail once again, or to become friends with Hi Tuff and Mr Ashcroft and fix it once and for all. I guess I will cross that bridge when the time comes.

[newhue]

How did you go closing the drivers door getting back in. Bit stiff?

Just driving along the road if you put your finger on an external door joint you can feel the body moving. As others have said its all normal.

[Green Elephant]

The drivers door seemed to open and close ok. I had the front passenger wheel up on the incline, so Im not sure if this had less of an effect on the drivers side or not.

[Scouse]

I hope no dealers are watching this thread! Most of the time the stock alloys and continental tyres are on the truck. You're safe. Dealership staff would never venture out into a Land Rover enthusiast's website :).

[460cixy]

I had my ute crossed up real well while testing the new front springs I had it balancing on two wheels and my mate hoped out to have a look and no way was the passenger door going to close again till I was on level ground.

[isuzutoo-eh]

You're safe. Dealership staff would never venture out into a Land Rover enthusiast's website :).

Only those from the national warranty office that tells the dealership what to charge, right? :p

[Scouse]

Only those from the national warranty office that tells the dealership what to charge, right? :pI have no idea what you're talking about.......

[BilboBoggles]

You're safe. Dealership staff would never venture out into a Land Rover enthusiast's website :).


Actually not true - there are a few mechanics from the various dealers on this forum, their nice people though!.

[Scouse]

there are a few mechanics from the various dealers on this forum, their nice people though!.I'm sure all dealership staff are nice people :).

[BilboBoggles]

I'm sure all dealership staff are nice people :).


NO - Not all dealer people are nice. Some of them are infected with a hatred of Defenders and prefer to be working on nice shiny vehicles owned by pimps and lawyers.. After being told by the dealer to that all "defenders are a pile of crap" (Their words) and I should have bought a Discovery instead if I wanted one that did not have issues, and that I should not worry about the fist sized dents they put in my wing tops, I now know that all dealers are not alike, and a few of them are not nice...

Ooops - There you go you I'm complaining again! I'll shut up now...:nazilock:

[Green Elephant]

Bilbo, thats pretty much the attitude Im expecting from the local dealer here in Bris should I ever need warranty... :(

[rick130]

Thanks for the info.

Coming from a racecar background I was a bit alarmed when it happened, but I guess the extra articulation from the chassis flex can only help with offroading.

[snip]


These are road going 4WD's, torsional rigidity is as needed as it is on the track ;)