noisy 110 Gearbox

[wollomi1962]

I have a 1986 120 with a 3.9 Isuzu.
The gearbox is noisy in 1,2,3,5th. (got noisy in the last 2 months).
Quiet in 4th.
I have changed all oils as supplied by ALL 4X4, when I recently replaced a long rear axle and drive flange in the rear.
I am the 2nd owner and the ute has only 145,000klms on it.
It is very highly geared. Sits on 110klm easily. (But only if it cannot see a hill).
I have been told it has high range diffs and a Santana box.
It is a very unusual Landy, in that it does not leak any fluids from anywhere. Really !
Any help from the great minds on this site are most welcome.
Cheers, Paul.

[Bearman]

I have a 1986 120 with a 3.9 Isuzu.
The gearbox is noisy in 1,2,3,5th. (got noisy in the last 2 months).
Quiet in 4th.
I have changed all oils as supplied by ALL 4X4, when I recently replaced a long rear axle and drive flange in the rear.
I am the 2nd owner and the ute has only 145,000klms on it.
It is very highly geared. Sits on 110klm easily. (But only if it cannot see a hill).
I have been told it has high range diffs and a Santana box.
It is a very unusual Landy, in that it does not leak any fluids from anywhere. Really !
Any help from the great minds on this site are most welcome.
Cheers, Paul.

G'day Paul, It will be an LT85 5speed that your vehicle has in it. Unlikely it is a Santana box - they have a split case bolted together north to south whereas yours should be a solid 1 piece gearbox case. The diffs will be 3.54 which is the standard ratio for that vehicle. It is very unusual if it has no oil leaks haha. The symptoms you describe indicate it needs new bearings especially the layshaft. Don't leave it too long or the cost of repairs will escalate.

[loanrangie]

Isn't the lt85 a Santana box ?

[rick130]

Isn't the lt85 a Santana box ?Yep.

[Bearman]

I always thought the split case version was referred to as a Santana.

[rick130]

Now I'm wondering Brian?

[tc_s1]

I've heard it referred to as a Santana by Ashcroft and in the States.

[DazzaTD5]

Isuzu engine.... can a noisy gearbox even be noticed [tonguewink]

[djam1]

The LT85 was originally designed under contract by Land Rover for Santana in Spain and was considered to be a strong working gearbox. Rover purchased LT85 gearboxes directly from Santana. It is also known as the Spanish Box.This gearbox was used as originally designed until 1988. A cost reduced, lighter weight, divided caseversion of the LT85 was introduced in 1988 and used through 1991. The main short coming of the divided case version was its main and lay shaft bearings. The loading on the bearings in 5th gear caused frequent gearbox failure when cruising for long periods of time under high throttle. There was also a bearing quality problem at one stage of manufacture and the gearbox was sensitive to the type of oil used.In 1991 the relationship between Rover and Santana ended and the LT85 was no longer available to Rover.

[Bearman]

Well, there you go. I always understood that the solid case lt85 was a land rover box and the split case one was the one built under licence to santana.

[uninformed]

LT95 - 95mm gear centres

LT85 - 85mm gear centres

LT77 - 77mm gear centres

R380 - same as LT77 and rated to 380 Nm

Maxi Drive did a bearing mod upgrade to LT85's not sure what was done though. TRB maybe?

[djam1]

A suffix J R380 was designed for 380 Nm
There were upgrades that occured through history that changed this although figures dont seem to be discussed.
Strongest is the Suffix L as I understand it




R380 - same as LT77 and rated to 380 Nm

[rick130]

A suffix J R380 was designed for 380 Nm
There were upgrades that occured through history that changed this although figures dont seem to be discussed.
Strongest is the Suffix L as I understand itK&L are equal in strength according to Dave Ashcroft.
The K was used in the last of the Tdi's.

[uninformed]

A suffix J R380 was designed for 380 Nm
There were upgrades that occured through history that changed this although figures dont seem to be discussed.
Strongest is the Suffix L as I understand it

I dont mind the R380. It gave no trouble to me and I gave it a hard life. The bearing in the rear extension housing is a problem, not only from design but now NLA in genuine (only cheap crap) The only way to go is the Ashcroft HD bearing mod.

[djam1]

I recall Dave Ashcroft saying that the replacement bearing they found hadn’t had a single failure.
That was a while back it might be different now I agree with the updated bearings though

[wollomi1962]

Thanks to all replies.
I will get onto the rebuild. Any suggestions will be graciously recieved.
Cheers, Paul.

[Bigbjorn]

Thanks to all replies.
I will get onto the rebuild. Any suggestions will be graciously recieved.
Cheers, Paul.

A noisy LT85 might need a new input shaft as well as bearings, seals, synchros. The Isuzu flogs the **** out of the input shaft at idle. Helps if you turn up the idle screw on the pump until it idles smoothly. To do it properly will cost two big ones + labour if you can't do it yourself.

My opinion it is a better box than the 4 speed. Really makes the car as a tourer does the overdrive gear. Tip - don't use o/d under 80 k's and get back into 4th when approaching a hill.

[wollomi1962]

Many thanks Bigbjorn.
Yes, I never go into 5th unless doing over 90.
As for the hills.........................
Cheers, Paul.