2011-12 Defender Safety Recall - front axle

[Summiitt]

Anyone know what these reinforced collars are? Just noticed them while crawling around under the ute. They have only just been added after some warranty work by the dealer.. They bolt into the control arm and look to support the swivel housing but don't look to bolt onto the axle/swivel housing bolts..has there been issues with strength in these areas?

[Patchy]

There was a recall or still ongoing about defenders and I think disco possibly breaking the axle shafts with the possibility of suspension collapsing read it in news paper or something awhile ago so at a guess thats what it will be.

[Beery]

Yeah its to stop the wheel separating from the vehicle if the axle tube breaks at the flange.

Apparently they had a batch of badly welded axles and this was their bandaid solution

[Summiitt]

Really? Thanks beery, it's a serious bit of cast fabrication, didn't hear of any issues, so was surprised to see it hanging off the axle case..I don't think my axles are in the batch of poorly welded numbers, given the hiding this ute has taken.. Maybe I got a good one!?

[Beery]

I reckon its a dicey move by Land Rover. Even with the bracket, if the axle broke and caused you to lose control and crash, they'd be in deep water because its a problem they know about.

[PAT303]

It's not a lash together bandaid,they are a very well made bracket,mine has them fitted. Pat

[Summiitt]

Agreed pat, it's engineered very well, where did the axle fail, before or after the swivel flange?

[Beery]

Apparently the weld that attaches the flange to the axle tube was the problem on the affected vehicles.

[123rover50]

I have seen an even stronger bracket somewhere that attatches the axle tube to an extension of the bottom swivel pin.
Supposed to stop the neck of the swivel housing bending.
Seemed a good idea too.
Especially for me with 2400 kg on front axle.

Keith

[PAT303]

Has anybody found out about a housing that has failed?. Pat

[gng1]

Does anyone think this is good enough? I am reading this right? They know that the wheel and hub assembly might become detached, so instead of replacing the suspect front axles, they are putting in reinforcement brackets so that the wheel and hub doesn't kill anyone in the event of a failure. But it may still f up on you at any time...
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=101547&stc=1&d=1446786818

[Scouse]

There was a thread on this a while ago so I assume you must be the 2nd owner of the car & LR has tracked you down via the registration details.


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/226189-130-swivel-upgrade.html

[gng1]

I didn't see the earlier thread. I'm the first owner and the brackets were installed last time it was flat bedded to the dealer (another story). I didn't think much of it at the time. But I got this letter direct from LR a few days ago. What it says is a bit of a concern. It seems to me that perhaps I might have a case under the Australian Consumer Law to get them to fix, ie, replace the dodgy axle, but they are trying to get out of doing so by applying a band aid safety solution that's not going to help much when out in the bush with a stuffed axle. Am I being unreasonable?

[Scouse]

You've had the brackets fitted & they've now sent you a letter saying they still need to be done?


Or is this a 2nd recall for the same problem?

[oldyella 76]

Yep, I got one today as well. I wonder if they will fix the problem under warrantee if and when it does fail and the vehicle is out of warrantee, bit strange. I will certainly ask the dealer when mine is done.
Lindsay.

[gng1]

It's the only letter about the one recall as far as I'm aware. My concern is that they are installing a safety device instead of replacing the known to be dodgy axles. It would be like giving owners of those washing machines that were catching fire a fire extinguisher.

[Chops]

I received one of these during the week, I'll have to have a proper read.

[Cammo]

Me too - dad had one earlier in the year.... I'd say they've broadened the scope of VIN numbers possibly affected.

[spudfan]

Lots of discussion here on the Defender 2 site. Had mine done.
DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - MY2011/2012 Recall Action P047/048 Front Axle Case (http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic33029.html?highlight=axle+case+brackets+safet y+recall)

[spudfan]

I wonder if this could be more of a problem to those who use the vehicle frequently in off road situations i.e. as it was intended to be used. I would presume that frequent or heavy off road use would stress the suspect components more than on road use.
I wonder if I did have an accident on the road due to this issue whether my insurance company would use it as an excuse to get out of any payment due to other parties as it is an acknowledged defect. I know that Land Rover have done a "fix" on it but without replacing faulty components. Just wondered whether the insurance industry is satisfied with Land Rover's solution to this issue.

[Bess]

I didn't see the earlier thread. I'm the first owner and the brackets were installed last time it was flat bedded to the dealer (another story). I didn't think much of it at the time. But I got this letter direct from LR a few days ago. What it says is a bit of a concern. It seems to me that perhaps I might have a case under the Australian Consumer Law to get them to fix, ie, replace the dodgy axle, but they are trying to get out of doing so by applying a band aid safety solution that's not going to help much when out in the bush with a stuffed axle. Am I being unreasonable?


Yep I have also just received this notice even thou my MY11 vin is not in the range specified by P048 or P047 ( recalls )

This is a band aid attempt at this repair & LRA now it. The recall notice itself admits that the axle may still fail after the " mods " are made so you are correct in being concerned about who / how the future repairs will be paid for! Costs a lot to be flat bedded anywhere these days.

I have sent an email to LRA regarding this but still wait a reply.

The vehicles covered under P047 that are getting the axle assembly replaced appear to have HD suspension fitted as best I can tell.

Every vehicle covered by this recall should have the axle assembly replaced in my opinion!

Time will tell.

Best regards Chris.

[rgty_kmj]

Thanks for highlighting this. It was news to me.

I had a quick look on the DEFENDER2.NET site and found this gem posted by fifth horseman . . .

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you register with Topix at https://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/ (free to register) then login and enter your full VIN in the vehicle finder it will show any outstanding recalls.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I registered with TOPIX ages ago but never subscribed.
You enter your VIN number and then click on the print icon
and you get your full vehicle spec and build date.
And also any outstanding campaigns/recalls.
Which for my vehicle 2012 110 shows P048 - Front axle problem.
Hope this is covered as my warranty ran out 4 months ago!

Kerry
Hamilton, NZ

[wally]

So here's what they do:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/781.jpg

[jackdef90]

just ran my vin and it comes up with p048 at work so dont know if they sent me anything.
Does anyone know if this going to be repaired by LR on the house, as my vehices well out of warranty?
not very happy about this, its quite bad knowing theres a chance of an axle failure.

[Scouse]

Any recall work is covered by Land Rover, in warranty or not.

[gouldier]

Hi has anyone had the brackets fitted to their front diff , and getting a strange clunk coming from the front end now . I think the whole front diff housing should be replaced . Given what could happen . I have been waiting 3 weeks to get a phone call back after leaving a message with Austral.
Robbie

[Scouse]

3 weeks?? Chances are they've left something loose so maybe you'd better run a spanner over the parts associated with the new bracket just to make sure something isn't going to drop off.
I doubt the service centre is open this week but try them again (sales will be open who can fire an email off to the service manager) & then call the service dept first thing on Monday to have it sorted out.

Unless there's damage to the axle casing, LR aren't going to replace it if they think the recall is a sufficient fix.

[DazzaTD5]

Just to clarify..

Its not the axles breaking as some have mentioned, its the weld on the end of the axle housing. You will likely find the company that manufacturers the whole diff/axle housing has picked up through their own batch testing / checking etc that there was a potentially cold weld or similar issue and have notified their customer/s in this case being Jaguar Land Rover of the issue.

Engineers have no doubt then found a suitable solution that sat well with the bean-counters as apposed to replacing the complete diff/axle housing.

Regards
Daz

[hey_burgs]

Hi has anyone had the brackets fitted to their front diff , and getting a strange clunk coming from the front end now . I think the whole front diff housing should be replaced . Given what could happen . I have been waiting 3 weeks to get a phone call back after leaving a message with Austral.
Robbie

Hey mate, what have you had done about your clunking?

Mine started to happen about 3 weeks after the installation, and has been ongoing and getting worse. It happens on acceleration and braking, like something is popping out and then back in again.

I went to Austral and had some work done (hub seals replaced, new clutch kit installed etc.) and they said that the issue was now fixed, but started to clunk again about about 48hours of getting the vehicle back. Going to make the call to them again to ask what's going on.

Are these brackets the problem, or have they caused something else to fail because of their installation? Would be good to know what you've done about this.

Thanks!

[justinc]

Hey mate, what have you had done about your clunking?

Mine started to happen about 3 weeks after the installation, and has been ongoing and getting worse. It happens on acceleration and braking, like something is popping out and then back in again.

I went to Austral and had some work done (hub seals replaced, new clutch kit installed etc.) and they said that the issue was now fixed, but started to clunk again about about 48hours of getting the vehicle back. Going to make the call to them again to ask what's going on.

Are these brackets the problem, or have they caused something else to fail because of their installation? Would be good to know what you've done about this.

Thanks!

The clunking is likely insufficient tightness on the radius arm bolts. They are used to hold the bracket on.
I feel it is a ridiculous band aid and the housings in question should all be recalled. Just think what would happen if these vehicles were sold in the US market??? CLASS ACTION would become a household word at landrover HQ....😮😮😮
Jc