Td5 - R380 how long should they last?

[travelrover]

Hi all

Just have a concern with longevity of the R380 in my Td5. Back in 2012 when it only had 160k on the clock 5th gear destroyed itself resulting in a reconditioned gearbox and new clutch kit being installed. Now with 260k on the clock it’s in for the same thing!

I have owned this from new, MY99 and it has never been thrashed or abused. Always well maintained and drive with mechanical sympathy in mind so I thought I could expect a LOT more than 100k out of a gearbox!

(My 300Tdi had a new gearbox in June and that has 290k and was the original unit.)

Besides being a very expensive couple of months I am surprised and disappointed that I only got 100k out of it.

It was rebuilt by a reputable company and installed by the same independent I have been going to for 30 years!

Anyone had a similar experience?

Cheers - Simon

[discorevy]

They don't like towing heavyish loads in 5th , and if not towing in 5th , should last 3-400 000 if oil is changed on a regular basis .
What usually happens is the rear bearings aren't up to the job , get excessive play and load up 5th gearset until it destroys itself , replace with heavy duty rear bearings , this will require machining of the rear casing.
Ashcroft supplies the r380 with this option

[dromader driver]

Simon,
what oil did you have in it and how often changed?

[travelrover]

Thanks discorevy, its never towed on the road, just light loads around the farm so nothing in 5th gear. yes i would be expecting 3-400k too.

Hi dromader, its running Penrite oils in everything (all of our Defenders do) ATF type F or G and is changed per the Land Rover maintance schedule.

[DeeJay]

Thanks discorevy, its never towed on the road, just light loads around the farm so nothing in 5th gear. yes i would be expecting 3-400k too.

Hi dromader, its running Penrite oils in everything (all of our Defenders do) ATF type F or G and is changed per the Land Rover maintance schedule.

Your issues seems parallel with Frandsd's that he recently experienced in a round Aus trip that saw us camped in the same places a few times. My Deefer has now done 220k's although the only towing ( that I know of) has been the 1600kg camper for the last 20,000k's.
Here is his thread
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/269840-td5-defender-r380-gearbox-failure-help.html

You may need to copy & paste the link. David

[travelrover]

Your issues seems parallel with Frandsd's that he recently experienced in a round Aus trip that saw us camped in the same places a few times. My Deefer has now done 220k's although the only towing ( that I know of) has been the 1600kg camper for the last 20,000k's.
Here is his thread
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/269840-td5-defender-r380-gearbox-failure-help.html

You may need to copy & paste the link. David


Thanks David

Not sure I needed to read that just now [smilebigeye] as I pick it up tomorrow morning and then have to hit the road at around 3.30 on Monday morning to get to an important meeting in Port Macquarie by 8.30 which is usually 5 hours door to door with no stops.

cheers - Simon

[djam1]

I have a friend with a 300tdi Defender with over 600000 kms that tows a car trailer most of the time and his box has never been touched.
I always find that replacing the rear support bearings and oil pump every 200000 kms keeps them going
I think the problems partially relate to poorly aligned housings

[travelrover]

Well it made it to Port Macquarie with no gearbox issues. So happy with that.

I did have another issue which I thought was part of the gearbox issue. The gear lever starts to vibrate loudly over 105kph and gets louder the longer you drive. However if you put downward pressure on the gear lever it will go away for a while. That is still there even though I specifically asked it to be looked at.

Any ideas what this is and what a solution would be?

[discorevy]

The front prop shaft uni's need to run at 45 degrees from front to rear ( out of phase ) , could also be propshaft out of balance or failing u/j .

If the vehicle has raised suspension it's better to fit a double cardan front prop shaft and output flange from a discovery 2

[travelrover]

The front prop shaft uni's need to run at 45 degrees from front to rear ( out of phase ) , could also be propshaft out of balance or failing u/j .

If the vehicle has raised suspension it's better to fit a double cardan front prop shaft and output flange from a discovery 2


thanks again discorevy

its not raised, all standard. I'll look into the prop-shafts though they wouldn't have been touched since the gearbox was last done 100k ago.

[dromader driver]

try greasing the prop shaft and uni joints if they have nipples. ensure the nuts and bolts are tight.

[travelrover]

I have eliminated the vibration, I hope! It appears it was only the rubber bush inside the gear knob had perished and the plastic was touching the top of the gear lever.

I’m not so happy with the reconditioned gearbox though. With the old unit (and my 300Tdi) I would typically change gears at 20, 40, 60 and 80 kph but now find I need to change 5-7 Kph earlier as the engine seems to be labouring and once in 5th there is a whining noise...

I assume the early change is because of a different ratio?