Transmission replacement!!!!! What would you do

[herrBlick]

I will be swift about my woes...done the 120,000 k service at MLR and low and behold you guest it shuddering in 3rd gear = transmission problems....I've only had the bloody thing 6 months so I'm a little ****ed off....but because I love .......errrrr Derrick (named by 8 year old daughter) I don't care what I have to do but I am curious if I have to replace the transmission will I get another 200,000 is out of it. I have obviously got finance owing but 10 grand on top of that seems impossible... Very confused indeed ...what would you do ....
I feel like selling cutting my losses and getting a new Defender with warranty...
Again I ask What would you do????????

[Mike_S]

I'd ring A&B Transmissions in Dandenong, ask for Bill Rolfe & tell him your problem. He's the ZF rebuilder & knows his stuff, he'll sort it.

[herrBlick]

At the moment it's being sent for testing by MLR fingers crossed its something simple but I'm not hopeful....

[NavyDiver]

At about 6k- just do it. Ritta's replaced mine. mine was at about 230,000km. hope to keep it till about 500,000 so cost over this time/distance will be cheaper than the tax you donate to the government on a new car.

[herrBlick]

At about 6k- just do it. Ritta's replaced mine. mine was at about 230,000km. hope to keep it till about 500,000 so cost over this time/distance will be cheaper than the tax you donate to the government on a new car.

This what I wanted to hear

[TerryO]

herrBlick,

Once it's out it is out no point getting it pulled apart and looked at unless you want the mob it's being sent to to do the work. Because once they have pulled it apart your basically stuck with them and what they are going to charge.

I'd ask for a quote on a full rebuild up front before they pull it apart and see what they say, then you will know if they are looking after you or not. 6k sounds about right.

Please don't mention Defenders again otherwise that rabble from the Fender area will infest this thread as well. ...;)

cheers,
Terry

[sheerluck]

............Please don't mention Defenders again otherwise that rabble from the Fender area will infest this thread as well. ...;)

cheers,
Terry

Terry, surely they can come in, providing they wipe their feet first?

[Chops]

The 6 grand?? is that a rebuilt trans, or just a second hand unit.

If it were me, I'd be paying to have my own rebuilt, although I'd do it myself as I've done a few autos (Fords). If its shuddering, it's most likely blocked solenoids or worn/laminating orings, but this will cause a breakdown of the friction plates, creating more blockages of the valves etc. So essentially you'd be looking at the valve Body and Clutch Pack.

Dave might chime in here with more/better info hopefully.

Of course, me being a Defer driver, I'd suggest a nice new one ;)

[NavyDiver]

The 6 grand?? is that a rebuilt trans, or just a second hand unit.

If it were me, I'd be paying to have my own rebuilt, although I'd do it myself as I've done a few autos (Fords). If its shuddering, it's most likely blocked solenoids or worn/laminating orings, but this will cause a breakdown of the friction plates, creating more blockages of the valves etc. So essentially you'd be looking at the valve Body and Clutch Pack.

Dave might chime in here with more/better info hopefully.

Of course, me being a Defer driver, I'd suggest a nice new one ;)
New gear box not a recon mate:D

Tax office example of "Bruce includes $8,280.92 LCT and $7,885.09 GST." Ouch both taxes above my 6K


Incase you wish to get cross do not look at your tax bill us second types did not pay Luxury car tax. I like Defers but love my D3
(http://www.ato.gov.au/corporate/content.aspx'menuid=0&doc=/content/13288.htm&page=3&H3)

[Slunnie]

I'd ring A&B Transmissions in Dandenong, ask for Bill Rolfe & tell him your problem. He's the ZF rebuilder & knows his stuff, he'll sort it.

I'd do this too.

[Summiitt]

Had exactly the same issue with my td6 rangie, gearbox went, as it turned out it also took the transfer case with it, I had only had the car for 3 months. Decided to get the best heavy duty rebuild I could and opted for a brand new out of the box transfer case. The issue is that the vehicle is worth nothing with a buggered box, so I figured I would do the rebuild and hold onto the vehicle as it only had 102k on it when it went, it killed me financially but 12 months on and the car hasn't missed a beat, and I'm back to enjoying the drive! Good luck.

[Tote]

New (exchange)transmission and transfer ( new) in mine at 160,000. Similar decision process, it's worth nothing broken and I like the truck. The zf boxes are ok as long as you change the oil regularly. I'm doing a drop of the oil at the major services (36 k) which changes about half the oil. It's now got 230000 km on it and no trans probs so far. The transfer case was replaced due to input shaft spline wear possibly caused by insufficient assembly lubrication. Transfer came from a&b in Melbourne at a cost of about 6k not fitted

Regards
Tote

[herrBlick]

Had exactly the same issue with my td6 rangie, gearbox went, as it turned out it also took the transfer case with it, I had only had the car for 3 months. Decided to get the best heavy duty rebuild I could and opted for a brand new out of the box transfer case. The issue is that the vehicle is worth nothing with a buggered box, so I figured I would do the rebuild and hold onto the vehicle as it only had 102k on it when it went, it killed me financially but 12 months on and the car hasn't missed a beat, and I'm back to enjoying the drive! Good luck.

This is great to hear and is exactly what I wanted to hear....It is so disappointing but I do love the car so ...beans and toast for me for a while

[Graeme]

I can't recall where I saw the post but IIRC it was on this forum, but someone whose D3 gearbox was assessed by several experts as needing a rebuild elected to use an oil additive designed for to cure such troubles and the gbox has been good for quite a long time since. It might be worth searching for the comments as having a gbox fail just because of new oil does not sound convincing to me.

[jonesy63]

Post # 7 in this thread:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/155350-d3-tdv6-torque-convertor-problem.html

[~Rich~]

I have changed my fluid twice since I bought my 05 and its up to the 164,000 mark now. I bought the Dr Tranny shudder fix & Lubeguard ready to add next service, I don't have any problems with my box as yet and will add it as a safeguard.

[Graeme]

Post # 7 in this thread:
I knew I'd seen it somewhere but was a bit off with the significant kms since travelled.

[herrBlick]

Thanks for your advice. Car is with A&B at the moment. This is we're Melborne city landrover send there cars with tranny problems. Hopefully it's just a worn part. I really can't afford 10 grand

[micsus]

I agree with mike s. check with bill Rolfe at A&B automatics he knows his stuff when it comes to zf boxes
Cheers

[ozscott]

What's the average miles of d3/4 boxes going south? Assuming oil changes and not constantly towing?

Cheers

[gghaggis]

What's the average miles of d3/4 boxes going south? Assuming oil changes and not constantly towing?

Cheers

Average is hard to judge, as those that don't have problems don't normally post updates on how many km's they've done. There are quite a few D3's over 300,000 still going strong, higher in the UK.

What's the average for a D2?

Cheers,

Gordon

[discotwinturbo]

A taxi driver that I know has a falcon with a zf......900,000 before engine was rebuilt.....tranny not touched except for oil changes.

Brett.....

[clubagreenie]

I had my D2 rebuilt at 210,000 but was fine apart from some wear on the friction plates. Fluid was a little silver from some metallic wear but the re-builder said it cold have gone on longer with more regular fluid changes.

But it's much better now being beefed up and I know it's new along with the engine at the same time.


As an aside, from the LCT link:

If I read it correctly, LCT applies at least 3 times in the supply chain!

The following examples are all considered a supply under LCT law:


a dealer that sells a car to an individual or business and the car's title passes from the manufacturer (or importer) to a finance company, then to a dealership, then to the end customer - each stage is regarded as a separate supply

[Tote]

Average is hard to judge, as those that don't have problems don't normally post updates on how many km's they've done. There are quite a few D3's over 300,000 still going strong, higher in the UK.

What's the average for a D2?

Cheers,

Gordon

Without oil changes 100 - 160000KM
With oil changes, I've not heard of one.
Regards,
Tote

[Rich84]

Without oil changes 100 - 160000KM
With oil changes, I've not heard of one.
Regards,
Tote

This seems about right - mine is going in tomorrow to be looked at for torque converter shudder. Purchased at 158,000, now 174,000. Never noticed it during test drive, only after I'd arrived home in Adelaide - have been all over it and expect the dealer to cover it under statutory warranty. No oil changes from what I can gather. It's **** poor on both LR and ZF's part - ALL oil breaks down from constant pressure and temperature cycling. Mine will be getting changed every 50K km from now on.

[clubagreenie]

Just has mine drained as the cooler and lines came out at the panel shop. 25,000 since rebuild and the oil was still golden as new.

Blew up the cooler (don't ask) and had to replace.

[Ean Austral]

I've always lived by the rule, oil is cheap. and also it cant be changed too often, and this seems even more so with the D3.

Engine, gearbox and diffs seem to me to have very long oil change intervals.

Some say its a waste of $$$ to change oil to early, but for me its $$$ well spent and piece of mind. For me its good to look at what comes out and see if it looks, smells or is contaminated compared to the previous oil change.

Hope that it works out at not to much $$ and you get to enjoy the car once again

Cheers Ean

[herrBlick]

Just to keep up to date..
my bill is 7,500 with MLR including major service.. This is a big chunk of cash and when you put it into haircuts it's a hell of lot..
So I am led to believe that an oil change in the gear box every 2 services ???? Correct

[~Rich~]

Just to keep up to date..
my bill is 7,500 with MLR including major service.. This is a big chunk of cash and when you put it into haircuts it's a hell of lot..
So I am led to believe that an oil change in the gear box every 2 services ???? Correct

Every 50,000 will do.

[Rohan]

Just to keep up to date..
my bill is 7,500 with MLR including major service.. This is a big chunk of cash and when you put it into haircuts it's a hell of lot..
So I am led to believe that an oil change in the gear box every 2 services ???? Correct

Do you have a hair chopping establishment? No reason I can't get my flowing locks looked after by a fellow AULROian :)
Feel free to p.m. me if posting you business details would be against the rules.

[ozscott]

Average is hard to judge, as those that don't have problems don't normally post updates on how many km's they've done. There are quite a few D3's over 300,000 still going strong, higher in the UK.

What's the average for a D2?

Cheers,

Gordon

Thanks Gordon. I cannot recall seeing the ZF auto for D2 being discussed as a problem item- so probably as long as a piece of string. The auto in my D1 has just under 300,000 and shifts nicely with only one service in its life (slack I know...). My D2 manual on the other hand has bearing noise at 210,000k. It has does a lot of towing of 2 tonns and I shift like a race driver which wouldnt help. I still thought she wouldnt get that noisy until closer to 300,000. Its not in imminent danger but I might get the relevant bearings replaced to restore peace in the car.

Cheers

[herrBlick]

Well I must say the lads at MLR are great.
Firstly I got my car back with in 4 business days over a weekend...... quite amazing i think!
Everything was explained to me and a 2year warrant'y on all works carried out on transmission.
Aaron kept in contact the whole way with me.
The car drives like a dream now.....

Simpson Desert here i come

[Mike_S]

Box replaced or something else ?

[herrBlick]

Not replaced rebuilt

[connock]

What did that cost if you dont nind me asking ?

[Rohan]

What did that cost if you dont nind me asking ?

Post #28 in this thread. Dont make the poor bugger repeat the pain!!!

[connock]

Post #28 in this thread. Dont make the poor bugger repeat the pain!!!

Yep I realize that thanks, but that price included Major service I was after the trany rebuild price. Major services can vary a lot.
Sorry herrBlick if its a sore point.

connock

[herrBlick]

It's no biggie as I am so glad to have the car back56783.
6 grand for the remanufactured transmission installation.

[herrBlick]

V v I if I

[herrBlick]

Sorry pocket post

[Rohan]

Sorry pocket post

Was beginning to wonder :)