Td5 defender r380 gearbox failure. Help.

[Franksd]

1 week into our trip around oz my 130 td5 snapped the gearbox mainshaft in rural SA. I got the ute towed to Port Lincoln where Peter Owen has diagnosed the issue. The box was reckoned recently but is 4 months out of warranty so is not covered. The workshop who did the recon is in Sydney and does not have another r380 so would I would need to freight mine too and from him which is 4 to 5 days each way plus rebuild and fitting time. I am traveling with my wife, 6 month old and 2 year old so we don’t want to be stuck here too long. I am having trouble sourcing another defender r380. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

[goingbush]

1 week into our trip around oz my 130 td5 snapped the gearbox mainshaft in rural SA. I got the ute towed to Port Lincoln where Peter Owen has diagnosed the issue. The box was reckoned recently but is 4 months out of warranty so is not covered. The workshop who did the recon is in Sydney and does not have another r380 so would I would need to freight mine too and from him which is 4 to 5 days each way plus rebuild and fitting time. I am traveling with my wife, 6 month old and 2 year old so we don’t want to be stuck here too long. I am having trouble sourcing another defender r380. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

It will be quicker to buy one with HD 5th gear upgrade from Ashcrofts in UK , Airfreight is less than the 20% VAT you save. Better gearbox for less money than you pay locally. Is what I did when we blew our R380 on a round Aust trip.

Ashcroft Transmissions (https://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/manual-gearboxes.html)

[jbe]

It will be quicker to buy one with HD 5th gear upgrade from Ashcrofts in UK , Airfreight is less than the 20% VAT you save. Better gearbox for less money than you pay locally. Is what I did when we blew our R380 on a round Aust trip.

Ashcroft Transmissions (https://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/manual-gearboxes.html)

That would be my first choice as well, but realistically it would take a couple of weeks for them to arrive & clear customs.

[rick130]

TRS?
I think that's who did the reco on my step dad's R380 for Suttons in Alice Springs a few years back.

I'll ask, or Big Jon may be at the to confirm?

[Franksd]

Just heard back from Ashcrofts. $2400 aud shipped. Sounds good but they will take 1 week before they have one ready to send. How efficient are Australian customs?

[Franksd]

TRS have quoted $1800 to recon my box if the rest of the box is ok with a 4 day build time. Freight around $250. Seems these late model r380’s are a bit hard to find.

[djam1]

If you are desperate I have one near Melrose in a container that could be shipped to Peter if needed.
The box is one I bought it had done 90000 km with failed 5th gear bearings.
I replaced the 5th gear bearings and oil pump and assume its ok but have never driven it.

[Franksd]

Peter is going to crack it open today so see if what the damage is. He said he may be able to do a basic rebuild himself but hasn’t done one in a while. Did I see you at the toy museum a few days ago?

[mateusz]

Give rovercraft a ring they might have one in stock. Perth sydney or melb

[Franksd]

here Is the damage.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/150x100q90/924/rcGgPK.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/porcGgPKj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/150x100q90/922/TsLIJq.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmTsLIJqj)

This box has done less than 20000 since I purchased it as a recon box.

Peter is going to do the rebuild here. He sourced a new genuine shaft from Melbourne.

[djam1]

Different failure to what you normally see

[Franksd]

Peter thinks that the shaft was probably not replaced when the box was reconditioned.

[Blknight.aus]

Just heard back from Ashcrofts. $2400 aud shipped. Sounds good but they will take 1 week before they have one ready to send. How efficient are Australian customs?

How cold is the sun?

[DeeJay]

Peter thinks that the shaft was probably not replaced when the box was reconditioned.

As a matter of interest ( I am a week away from doing a S.A/W.A/N.T. trip) in our TD5, were you towing a big van ? I guess I am looking for peace of mind, as we are only towing a 1500kg campervan & will pass thru Port Lincoln. I understand that 5th gear should only be used on level territory.

[Franksd]

Here is a picture of my setup. The van is around 900kg loaded. I think the problem was with the recon box, not what I was towing.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/150x100q90/924/PJTZbv.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poPJTZbvj)

[djam1]

They usually break the lay shaft because the rear bearings fail often stripping the gears as the shaft deflects
The weaker bearing is on the lay shaft
To have a failure on the main shaft I would of thought was odd
Maybe Dave or Ian Ashcroft could pipe in and give us an opinion

[djam1]

Dave is away sailing at the moment and only has his phone he asked me to post this response


This is a common failure usually on the earlier suffix J boxes due to a stress concentration from a sharp radius on a groove where the split oil ring fits but we have also seen this failure on the later suffix K/L TD5 boxes


Regards Dave

[Franksd]

Dave is away sailing at the moment and only has his phone he asked me to post this response


This is a common failure usually on the earlier suffix J boxes due to a stress concentration from a sharp radius on a groove where the split oil ring fits but we have also seen this failure on the later suffix K/L TD5 boxes


Regards Dave

Thanks Dave and djam1.
The shaft is being replaced with a genuine part. Do I need to worry about this happening again? Is there a known fix to prevent this in the future?

[djam1]

Thanks Dave and djam1.
The shaft is being replaced with a genuine part. Do I need to worry about this happening again? Is there a known fix to prevent this in the future?

I would'nt of thought so

[Franksd]

Should have mentioned this is a suffix L box.

[rick130]

Should have mentioned this is a suffix L box.All the TD5 boxes are mate.
[emoji6]

[Franksd]

Picked up the car today with the box rebuilt. It all felt ok just a bit tight on the gear changes. No noises.

100ks down the road we pulled over to tend to the kids. Went to take off and as I got half way onto the road and the bunny hopped as if the back wheels were going faster than the front!

Stopped and checked everything over and couldn’t find an issue. Checked the oils which were fine. It selected all gears and high and low range and diff lock no worries.

Drove another 5 kms down the road no issue. Pulled over and tried first gear. It was tight but selected. Took off ok in first but when I took the power off there was a wiring sound. Then when I put the clutch in there was an almighty clatter as if it released pressure.

I taking off again and this time the box bound up and the car stalled.

I removed the front tail shaft, locked the centre diff and have now limped it back to Port Lincoln.

This vehicle is cursed.

[shack]

Picked up the car today with the box rebuilt. It all felt ok just a bit tight on the gear changes. No noises.

100ks down the road we pulled over to tend to the kids. Went to take off and as I got half way onto the road and the bunny hopped as if the back wheels were going faster than the front!

Stopped and checked everything over and couldn’t find an issue. Checked the oils which were fine. It selected all gears and high and low range and diff lock no worries.

Drove another 5 kms down the road no issue. Pulled over and tried first gear. It was tight but selected. Took off ok in first but when I took the power off there was a wiring sound. Then when I put the clutch in there was an almighty clatter as if it released pressure.

I taking off again and this time the box bound up and the car stalled.

I removed the front tail shaft, locked the centre diff and have now limped it back to Port Lincoln.

This vehicle is cursed.Sometimes it can feel like it, persevere, you'll get there....
And have plenty of great stories too regale everyone with later,

Did I ever tell you about that trip where we went too Dalhousie and absolutely nothing happened?

Didn't think so, wasn't worth telling.

[djam1]

Picked up the car today with the box rebuilt. It all felt ok just a bit tight on the gear changes. No noises.

100ks down the road we pulled over to tend to the kids. Went to take off and as I got half way onto the road and the bunny hopped as if the back wheels were going faster than the front!

Stopped and checked everything over and couldn’t find an issue. Checked the oils which were fine. It selected all gears and high and low range and diff lock no worries.

Drove another 5 kms down the road no issue. Pulled over and tried first gear. It was tight but selected. Took off ok in first but when I took the power off there was a wiring sound. Then when I put the clutch in there was an almighty clatter as if it released pressure.

I taking off again and this time the box bound up and the car stalled.

I removed the front tail shaft, locked the centre diff and have now limped it back to Port Lincoln.

This vehicle is cursed.

Was the CDL engaged?
Sometimes this can happen if it is slightly mal adjusted

[Franksd]

Was the CDL engaged?
Sometimes this can happen if it is slightly mal adjusted

That was it. CDL needed an adjustment. Back on the road again!

[Franksd]

Spoke too soon. 250ks our of town, geared down to 2nd to pull up and heard some knocking. All gears went tight to get in. 4th now wonÂ’t let me in it just grinds.

[towe0609]

Spoke too soon. 250ks our of town, geared down to 2nd to pull up and heard some knocking. All gears went tight to get in. 4th now wonÂ’t let me in it just grinds.

Feeling your pain and hoping it works out eventually ... sending a virtual punching bag your way to take out the frustration. Port Lincoln is too nice a place for all this bad energy and memories.

[djam1]

So where are you

[Franksd]

So where are you

“Limped” it back to Lincoln. Lost 2nd and 4th. If I backed off throttle at all I got the death rattles. So kept the power down all the way. Clutch in to slow down.

[djam1]

So what do your tyres look like?

[Franksd]

So what do your tyres look like?
What do you mean?

[djam1]

If you have run for any distance on a hard surface with the difflock in it will cause major tyre wear
This is assuming this is what happened

For the record you can drive from
Katherine in the NT to Alice Springs with the CDL but your tyres and other things will be stuffed when you arrive

[Franksd]

Got ya. Tyres are still ok. Probably did loose a mm or 2.

[djam1]

Mmm that’s good hopefully Peter can get it sorted for you
Were you heading West?

[Franksd]

Doing the lap. Heading west through Perth.

[djam1]

So how did you go?

[DeeJay]

I'm leaving Melbourne mid next week doing a similar trek. At the rate you are going, (assuming all is well with my Deefer) I might catch up with you..
Hopefully they sort this out quickly for you.
David

[Franksd]

I'm leaving Melbourne mid next week doing a similar trek. At the rate you are going, (assuming all is well with my Deefer) I might catch up with you..
Hopefully they sort this out quickly for you.
David

We might meet up yet.

Back on the road yesterday. Pulled up at streaky bay and found the transfer has now been leaking oil. Also found after the highway run with everything hot I am having to force gear changes!

The mechanic is now closed for the weekend and he made it clear that he didn’t want to see my car again.

The box is making a slight rubbing noise with road speed which is noticeable with the clutch in coasting.

I have dropped the oil in the gearbox. The plug magnet was covered in steel fines and a fair bit of brass fleck through the oil.

Replaced the oil with syntrans so see how it goes tomorrow (across the Nullarbor🤞).

With the transfer case it looks like the leak is either the bottom cover or something between the box and the transfer. The mechanic said he “replaced the seal” but is not sure what seal that is.

I pulled the cover and the two bolts that protrude into the case from that side that I could reach and applied some silicone in an attempt to stop the leak. It had lost around 250ml in the last 350 km.

Any suggestions welcome.

[scarry]

My suggestion would be find a good Indie before you go too much further.

Possibly harder to do than said,but it may save a lot of grief and stress later on.

Good luck on your travels

[Sly]

Turn around now, your closer to Adelaide and maybe a work shop that can help. There is no joy for you between Ceduna and Perth . Let’s be honest, your wife now hates the car / unreliable POS and the next mech fail somewhere after border village will do you no good ......

[Franksd]

Any recommendations for a mechanic in Ceduna?

[djam1]

Any recommendations for a mechanic in Ceduna?

None that I know of Adelaide is your best bet

[Sly]

None that I know of Adelaide is your best bet

I second this , I know it a pain in the ass but a better outcome for you , family and future travels in the 130.
Get camped up in Adelaide , get the gearbox / trans out and fix the issue . If the gear box main rear seal is leaking badly it wont get any better , some thing is crook other than that new main shaft !!!

[Franksd]

Sorry all. I ignored all of your sensible pragmatic advice and headed for Perth. After the oil change in the gearbox the gears freed up and changed normal. The noise I had was still there but much quieter. So I picked up 4L of gear oil and headed west.

Day 1 across the Nullarbor from Ceduna. 350ks, and the transfer leaked out 400ml.

Day 2. After sleeping on it I thought I would check the transfer breather. a blow on the transfer breather hose. I blew on the breather hose as hard as I could before we left. Another 400ks, box was wet but didn’t use any oil! Degreased everything so I could monitor.

Day 3. 600ks. We made it to Norseman. Transfer is wet again but not to much oil on the caravan. I will check if it used any in the morning.

On another note, my clutch has started slipping a bit today and the aircon lost its chill.

So I will need to spend some coin when we get to Perth. Bring the Easter weekend we won’t be rushing to get there until the workshops open up next week.

Any recommendations for mechanics in Perth?

[clintooo]

Dave Dover would be my recommendation.

I and a lot of the guys in TW4 club recommend him.

Dover's Automotive - Home | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DoversAutomotive/)

[rick130]

Re the clutch slipping, check the clutch pushrod, it'll hopefully only be that.
If the adjustment is only a tad too long the clutch won't fully disengage.
Access is through the top of the pedal box in the engine bay

[Franksd]

I will give Dave a call. His page looks the goods.

Thanks Rick130. I will check that adjustment today. I am guessing it is to be adjusted so as the push rod has a slight bit of slack?

[weeds]

I will give Dave a call. His page looks the goods.

Thanks Rick130. I will check that adjustment today. I am guessing it is to be adjusted so as the push rod has a slight bit of slack?

You should have free play In your brake break....it should move 5mm or so before pressure. The spring holds the peddl

[Franksd]

You should have free play In your brake break....it should move 5mm or so before pressure. The spring holds the peddl
Thanks Weeds! Sounds to good to be true but if I adjust the clutch and clear the breather maybe the gearbox won’t have to come off again.

I will think positive.

[weeds]

Hum, hasty post......best i fix it a bit.

You should have free play at the top of your brake pedal....

Pedal should move 5mm or so (might be more) before you feel the pressure of the clutch master cylinder. The spring holds the pedal all the way up, try pushing pedal with hand.

There is also a height that the pedal sits of the floor.

[Franksd]

Adjusted the clutch push rod. There was no free play so backed off the two lock nuts to give 1.5 to 2mm play.

The aircon had blown the 20 amp ac clutch fuse. Replaced the fuse and all is working fine. I used a nanocom to test the ac clutch switch and it tested ok. No obvious issues with the wiring loom. No idea what caused the fuse to go.

I will give it a run tomorrow and see how it goes.

Transfer isn’t using much oil now which is nice.

I have booked the 130 in with Dave Dover in Perth on Tuesday. Sounds like he knows his stuff. Very helpful on the phone.

Thank you all for your help. We will make it to Perth yet!

[weeds]

Thanks for the updated.....

[clintooo]

Also check out the Defender WA facebook page. Not sure how long you will be in WA, but there are occasional meetups. Plus a lot of people willing to help out a stuck defender driver.

[Franksd]

Also check out the Defender WA facebook page. Not sure how long you will be in WA, but there are occasional meetups. Plus a lot of people willing to help out a stuck defender driver.

I just sent a join request to their page. Thanks.

[DeeJay]

Glad to see you made it to Norseman. We stopped at Streaky Bay and now at Eucla, so it seems we won't catch you up as we turn South at Norseman. Safe travels. David

[Franksd]

Glad to see you made it to Norseman. We stopped at Streaky Bay and now at Eucla, so it seems we won't catch you up as we turn South at Norseman. Safe travels. David

Might catch you yet. As it is Easter and workshops in Perth are closed till Tuesday we headed south too.

Staying at Esperance tonight. Glad we did. This coastline is amazing.

[Franksd]

The 130 is back on the road today. It spent the week with Dave Dover. Test drive and inspection from Dave and he recommended a remove and replacement gearbox.

Transfer seal replaced again and he used some green lock tight with the new seal.

He thinks there is something majorly wrong with the way this box was assembled from day 1. It had made some serious steel between port Lincoln and Perth. Replaced with a genuine LandRover reconditioned box from rover craft.

Serious dent in the bank account now...

[Franksd]

Checked things over in Geraldton on Sunday and found the transfer case still with a major oil leak.
I contacted Dave Dover and he was sure it must be the intermediate shaft oring.

He booked me in for this morning and said he would reseal the transfer and have it back on by lunch.

So back to Perth.

Transfer out and diagnosis is major damage due to driving on tarmac in diff lock. New transfer case required.

So now waiting on a recon box from Melbourne through rover craft $$$.

We are about $11K into this repair now and nearly 5 weeks in workshop time out of our trip.

Now we need to make the decision of continuing the lap or just heading home.

[clintooo]

i've got a TC if you want to take a punt on a second hand one as a cheaper option. It's out of a D2 though so will have slightly taller gearing. Dave may be able to swap out the ratios in your TC if they are ok.

I'm in perth. Dave knows me (I pull D2s apart as a hobby).

I understand your frustrations, but looks like you will have it sorted shortly. Then you will have this pain behind you. It's coming up to the best time of the year to head into the North West. You don't want to miss it mate, you have gotten this far....

Clint

[Franksd]

i've got a TC if you want to take a punt on a second hand one as a cheaper option. It's out of a D2 though so will have slightly taller gearing. Dave may be able to swap out the ratios in your TC if they are ok.

I'm in perth. Dave knows me (I pull D2s apart as a hobby).

I understand your frustrations, but looks like you will have it sorted shortly. Then you will have this pain behind you. It's coming up to the best time of the year to head into the North West. You don't want to miss it mate, you have gotten this far....

Clint

Thanks Clint. I considered the secondhand d2 option but Dave talked me out of it pretty quick. I have had so many issues I had better get it done right with a recon transfer.

I think the ratios probably would be too high for my rig and my gear set was very sloppy. If rovercraft don’t come through with the goods I will be in contact though.

You are right about continuing north. It will be a bit of a rushed trip but that’s life. I am just paranoid about braking down along way from anywhere now. Ok if it was just me and my wife but we have my 2 yo and 7 month old to think of.

[clintooo]

yeh 2nd hand does come with risk.

How long are you having to wait for the box to get here from melb?

Perhaps maybe look at dropping one or two destinations up north, some of the gorges have quite long hikes in which might be difficult with the kids. Might be better to drop one or two so you aren't so rushed to get to everything.

This guy has a series of videos of his trip last year to the Kimberly and NT. It might be helpful for you in working out what is unmissable and what you can bypass, he also discusses access to each and crowds.

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFoV9izIemDaDLg3qDRMIng)

[Franksd]

yeh 2nd hand does come with risk.

How long are you having to wait for the box to get here from melb?

Perhaps maybe look at dropping one or two destinations up north, some of the gorges have quite long hikes in which might be difficult with the kids. Might be better to drop one or two so you aren't so rushed to get to everything.

This guy has a series of videos of his trip last year to the Kimberly and NT. It might be helpful for you in working out what is unmissable and what you can bypass, he also discusses access to each and crowds.

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFoV9izIemDaDLg3qDRMIng)

Hoping to get the box by Friday. We will then do a couple of days south of Perth to test things out before heading north again. At least then I can drop back into Dave on the way past Perth for a final check over.

Those videos look great. We will watch some tonight for some inspiration.

[Franksd]

Probably boring everyone with my problems now but the saga continues.

Got the defender back today, now with gearbox and transfer case replaced with Land Rover reconditioned units from rovercraft.

Dave Dover has been great for starters. He lent us a duel cab Ute for the week so I could keep the family entertained and tow the van.

After the replacement he test drove my ute, even ran it on blocks for an hour and there were no leaks.

So I headed north and when I pulled up just south of Geraldton, oil was dripping on the road from the transfer case again.

It is booked in with whyatts landrover Geraldton tomorrow for another repair. Rovercraft look like they will foot the bill but will have to see tomorrow what the diagnosis is. It looks to me like intermediate shaft seal.

[Ancient Mariner]

checked the breather?

[big harold]

There is a mod the local guys do here which involves installing a penny washer to the transfer case.
Penny washer is a domed solid brass disc that you install then tap with a hammer to expand and lock into place.
Requires full strip of the case and machining + skim cut to end of intermediate shaft.
Mark

[rick130]

There is a mod the local guys do here which involves installing a penny washer to the transfer case.
Penny washer is a domed solid brass disc that you install then tap with a hammer to expand and lock into place.
Requires full strip of the case and machining + skim cut to end of intermediate shaft.
MarkOften the intermediate shaft bore elongates/flogs out.
The permanent fix is the case bored and a top hat bush pressed into place.

[big harold]

Often the intermediate shaft bore elongates/flogs out.
The permanent fix is the case bored and a top hat bush pressed into place.
Yep but will still leak even if bushed as "o" ring wears.
With the washer will not leak even if "o" ring damaged.

[rick130]

O rings don't wear when used as a static seal.
These suckers are Viton, they're good for 10-15 years before taking a set.

[big harold]

O rings don't wear when used as a static seal.
These suckers are Viton, they're good for 10-15 years before taking a set.
Thats why I have 2 defenders both with 100K one 4 and one 6 years old and both have leaks from intermediate shaft seals.
Mark

[Franksd]

Picked the ute up yesterday. Mechanics took it for a 60km road test, no leaks.

I drove it for 5 km, started to leak!

Went back to whyttes Land Rover and checked it over. They showed me the oring which they replaced on the intermediate shaft. I’m their opinion it was the wrong size completely. It was misshapen and definantly not viton.


We tracked the “new” leak down to transfer input seal. Their thoughts was that the gearbox output shaft collar must have an imperfection which is allowing oil from the transfer to seap past.

I contacted Dave Dover who said he has had this happen a few times now on boxes he has reconditioned and suspects there is a bad batch of collars. He has been replacing the collars on the with the genuine part and has fixed the issue.

Contacted Rovercraft who confirmed the gearbox and transfer were reconditioned by landrover UK. Rovercraft are covering costs of this failed repair.

I have decided to continue my trip and just monitor the leak until I get to brisbane or it gets worse.

It certainly has not been easy to relax and enjoy this holiday.

[rick130]

Thats why I have 2 defenders both with 100K one 4 and one 6 years old and both have leaks from intermediate shaft seals.
MarkAnd I have D2 that doesnt leak.
At all.
The engine does, the the g/box and t/case are dry. (And they have fluid in them! [emoji23])
The last t/case I built for a Deefer I bushed the intermediate shaft, but that car had done 300,000+

[Ancient Mariner]

Off topic but relevant 4 bolt steering box static seal 1995 model no leaks the other new box 12 months old leaked since day one,easy to see why


AM

[DeeJay]

Wow, just reading the posts will have me looking under the Defender every few
hours. We are near Canarvon now so maybe our paths may cross yet.!!

[Franksd]

Wow, just reading the posts will have me looking under the Defender every few
hours. We are near Canarvon now so maybe our paths may cross yet.!!

Ha ha. Yes, sick of looking under it and pumping oil into it.

We are at Tamala Station at the moment. Did a run to Steep Point and back today so rest day tomorrow then head north again.

[DeeJay]

Ha ha. Yes, sick of looking under it and pumping oil into it.

We are at Tamala Station at the moment. Did a run to Steep Point and back today so rest day tomorrow then head north again.

We just left
Tamala the day before yesterday after 3 days at 3 Bays. We came back from Steep point on high beam all the way, never saw another vehicle for over 2 hours. Weren't the corrugations fun.150827

[Franksd]

We just left
Tamala the day before yesterday after 3 days at 3 Bays. We came back from Steep point on high beam all the way, never saw another vehicle for over 2 hours. Weren't the corrugations fun.150827

Corrugations!

The stereo landed in my wife’s lap. I ended up supergluing my dash back together and sikaflexing the stereo surround back in. The ranger said there was a defender stranded with 2 flat tyres out there. Was that you?

[DeeJay]

Corrugations!

The stereo landed in my wife’s lap. I ended up supergluing my dash back together and sikaflexing the stereo surround back in. The ranger said there was a defender stranded with 2 flat tyres out there. Was that you?

No, touchwood we have had no tyre issues yet. Maybe the Gibb RR will change that.. Never saw a Deefer only a disco, but 2 tyres could easily happen an that mongrel track.
Currently at Coral Bay & on to Exmouth tomorrow for 3 days.
David

[Franksd]

So we are on our final leg back to Brisbane.

Still toping up transfer case oil as we go. After the Gib we headed to Darwin for some repairs as the rear axle ball joint had worn.

I asked the mechanic to change the gearbox oil while he had it on the hoist.

Turns out the drain plug was not standard. It was a 10mm square driver.

The drain plug was so tight a breaker bar and a 1m extension just tore the centre out of the plug.

So he welded a 19mm bolt inside the plug. Again I watched him swing off a pipe over a breaker bar until the bolt head sheared off and he gave up.

Very disappointed in this reconditioned box. I paid a premium for the genuine landrover reconditioned part.

[DeeJay]

Great to hear that you are on the final leg. As you know, we passed you at Exmouth roadside & met up at Drysdale River Station & again at Purnalulu?? My daughter, who took our Landie & camper home from Darwin - yes she made it home OK- says she saw you in the McDonnell Ranges as well.
Bad news about the gearbox though, sounds like an apprentice's project job.
Regards, David

[Franksd]

Great to hear that you are on the final leg. As you know, we passed you at Exmouth roadside & met up at Drysdale River Station & again at Purnalulu?? My daughter, who took our Landie & camper home from Darwin - yes she made it home OK- says she saw you in the McDonnell Ranges as well.
Bad news about the gearbox though, sounds like an apprentice's project job.
Regards, David

Hi David. Back home now.
Great to hear your daughter made it back ok. Great experience for her.

My mechanic here in Brisbane are dealing with Rovacraft to repair the transfer case leak and gearbox drain plug.

Maintenance and repairs on the trip really hit our budget hard. Total of 26000km.
The damage.
-reconditioned gearbox x 3
-reconditioned transfer case x 1
-radiator
-rear axle a frame ball joint
-rear axle brake line
-6 x tyres. 4 repaired, 2 replaced.

$13100

So glad we didn’t turn back at Perth. The Kimberly’s was our highlight.
It was such a same that we had so many issues with the defender. 6 weeks down time for repairs.