Uh.oh 07 defender diff problem???

[Xavie]

Hi Everyone, I just took delivery on friday of the latest model Defender and I have problems. I'm looking for advice on a couple of aspects. I've just emailed the dealer to let them know and should I do anything in particular?

It happened when I was sitting at the bottom of an ugly clay hill and my centre diff would not lock in. I sat there for a minute or 2 playing with the lever and even took the user guide out and did exactly what it said. I went for a short drive on some flat ground doing everything I could to get it in but everytime I put the lever into lock position either from high or low range it would just wobble out within 5 seconds. The light would come on some times for around 3 seconds and not come on at all other times but it was never engaged. It will go into low fine or high fine but will just not lock diff.

In the end I had to gun it up the hill and the traction control was awesome but I just don't know what could be the issue with the diff lock. When I pushed the lever it never showed any sign/feeling of sort of like...locking in to position when I tried to put it in diff lock. It does show signs of locking in to position when going into H or L however.

I emailed the dealer just stating the problem and how does warranty work etc.. as I've never used it before. Will I be entitled to a loan car does any one know?

Thanks guys it's a real pity cause she's a beautiful machine.

Xavier

[justinc]

The one I test drove went into difflock OK, but took a fair bit of hassle getting it back out again!!!:mad::mad:

I also thought it felt like it needed adjusting, I wonder whether the CDL is part of a PD or not??


JC

[spudboy]

I have been back to my (Adelaide) dealer a couple of times with issues on my RR and they have been completely excellent. Just take it back to whoever sold it to you and they should look after you.

With a brand new car issue I'd be asking for a loan car for sure, and at no cost. They have got $55K of your money so they can stump up for a loaner for a day.

It will probably just be an adjustment issue by the sounds of things. I haven't heard of anyone on the UK forums complaining about this so probably just a one off.

Hope it gets sorted soon.
David

[solmanic]

Yep there is all sorts of guff in the warranty terms and conditions that state LR's obligations for manufacturing defects. My favourite is their "right first time repairs" clause. Basically if they don't get it fixed straight up then you are entitled to your pick of the service manager's daughters or something like that.

I'm married, so I got a nice Volvo for a week;)

[barney]

if it's set up like the disco, it operates via a two cable system, one switches it between high and low and the other locks and unlocks the cdl.
maybe one of these has popped out of it's holder or snapped. just a thought!

[spudboy]

And Xavie - put your location in your user profile so people know where you live and can suggest a good local dealer or whatever.

[solmanic]

it's a real pity cause she's a beautiful machine.

Xavier

... and no-one here believes anything without pictures.

[camel_landy]

Hi-Lo & CDL are quite often "stiff" on a brand new machine.

To make sure the transfer gears have engaged when changing from Hi-Lo or Lo-Hi, stick it in gear, apply gentle (but firm) pressure to the transfer lever and bring the clutch to the bite point. This will make sure that the transfer gears have engaged properly.

As for the CDL - That could be the linkage or the pin on the side of the diff. Usage will certainly help here but it could be that the actuator just needs a drop of oil.

M

[Ace]

Hi-Lo & CDL are quite often "stiff" on a brand new machine.

To make sure the transfer gears have engaged when changing from Hi-Lo or Lo-Hi, stick it in gear, apply gentle (but firm) pressure to the transfer lever and bring the clutch to the bite point. This will make sure that the transfer gears have engaged properly.

As for the CDL - That could be the linkage or the pin on the side of the diff. Usage will certainly help here but it could be that the actuator just needs a drop of oil.

M

My disco does this sometimes. CDL and Low range wont engage so i put the car in first, put pressure on the low range leaver and slowly lift the clutch then it drops in, works every time. matt

[camel_landy]

My disco does this sometimes. CDL and Low range wont engage so i put the car in first, put pressure on the low range leaver and slowly lift the clutch then it drops in, works every time. matt

Yep... That is the 'official' LR way to do the Hi-Lo change.

M

[Xavie]

I have been back to my (Adelaide) dealer a couple of times with issues on my RR and they have been completely excellent. Just take it back to whoever sold it to you and they should look after you.

With a brand new car issue I'd be asking for a loan car for sure, and at no cost. They have got $55K of your money so they can stump up for a loaner for a day.

It will probably just be an adjustment issue by the sounds of things. I haven't heard of anyone on the UK forums complaining about this so probably just a one off.

Hope it gets sorted soon.
David

Thanks very much I totally agree with all you said. I'm just hoping the sales person is not so much of a tool as he was when I was trying to organise its purchase.

[Xavie]

Yep there is all sorts of guff in the warranty terms and conditions that state LR's obligations for manufacturing defects. My favourite is their "right first time repairs" clause. Basically if they don't get it fixed straight up then you are entitled to your pick of the service manager's daughters or something like that.

I'm married, so I got a nice Volvo for a week;)

I'm not sure I would like the daughter judging on the sales person but maybe a freelander 2 for a day or two just to have some luxury and then get back in to the 'fender.

[Xavie]

... and no-one here believes anything without pictures.

lol. I will get some snaps up but I wanted it to at least have a bull bar on it before I go plastering it everywhere!

[solmanic]

I'm not sure I would like the daughter judging on the sales person but maybe a freelander 2 for a day or two just to have some luxury and then get back in to the 'fender.

Yes, a loan Freelander will be "excellent" off-road - punish it well.

[Cameron_Def]

My 2001 Defender works fine every time ..

Happy to give you a working version of the legionary defender, we will even call it even, you keep all my mods / accessories

Give me a call when your ready for the swap :):):)

[Xavie]

Just spoke to the man at the service centre... he was great help and he was at least honest saying LR have not given them proper workshop manuals for how to fix things or how they work. He said he has a loan car and will even drop it off to me despite being about 100kms away. I'm very pleased with the service and how nice the guy was.

He said it should not be a big problem to fix and find the issue so fingers crossed it all goes smoothly from here... I'll keep y'all updated.

[Scallops]

Good luck with it all, mate - for the record - mine goes in and out of DL no probs so I'm sure it'll be an easy fix.

[Scouse]

Just spoke to the man at the service centre... he was great help and he was at least honest saying LR have not given them proper workshop manuals for how to fix things or how they work. He said he has a loan car and will even drop it off to me despite being about 100kms away. I'm very pleased with the service and how nice the guy was.

Gee, that Ian's a nice bloke :p.

[Xavie]

Gee, that Ian's a nice bloke :p.

hahaha, he sure is!;)

[Xavie]

Well, I found out it was just some metal shavings floating around in the transfer case so nothing to worry about after all as long as no long term damage was caused!. Several people had told me it was probably electrics but it ain't thank goodness.

So can't wait to get her back because I got some driving to do this weekend!!!

[BigJon]

saying LR have not given them proper workshop manuals for how to fix things or how they work. .

Interesting. Land Rover haven't provided workshop manuals for years. All tech information is sourced online. Given how long the vehicle has been on sale in the UK, I am sure the online information would be up to date.

[WildOne]

Well, I found out it was just some metal shavings floating around in the transfer case so nothing to worry about after all as long as no long term damage was caused!. Several people had told me it was probably electrics but it ain't thank goodness.

So can't wait to get her back because I got some driving to do this weekend!!!

:eek:Is this not something to worry about????:eek:

[Scouse]

Apparently there was a bit of swarf in the drilling for the diff lock detent which was allowing it to self disengage.

As far as I know, there was no swarf in the oil so hopefully this is a one off problem.

[sclarke]

Well, I found out it was just some metal shavings floating around in the transfer case so nothing to worry about after all as long as no long term damage was caused!. Several people had told me it was probably electrics but it ain't thank goodness.

So can't wait to get her back because I got some driving to do this weekend!!!

They admitted to that?????
In that case tell them to take it back, pull the trasfer out and clean it. Then when its apart, inspect it and tell them thay can put it back together.....
That is sooooo Wrong... if they found a few that stopped the CDL from engagin there is a BIG Problem that will come back and bite you.........

[Xavie]

They admitted to that?????
In that case tell them to take it back, pull the trasfer out and clean it. Then when its apart, inspect it and tell them thay can put it back together.....
That is sooooo Wrong... if they found a few that stopped the CDL from engagin there is a BIG Problem that will come back and bite you.........

I agree it sucks and is wrong but I have to take their word for it that it has been cleaned out as I simply don't have the time with work to inspect it myself (I was told they had cleaned it out and replaced seals). BUT, in saying that they were descriptive about problem and it has been in for days now and hell, they can pull me out next time I'm in middle of no where stuck because the CDL doesn't come on if it is still broken haha. They also replaced the rear differential I was just told (about 2 hours ago) as there was a minimal amount of whine.

I sort of figure and it may be wrong, but when you put that much vehicle together something must go wrong because although it is a relatively simple vehicle in todays market it still has a lot of components... So, as long as they keep to warranty and don't stuff me around then I shouldn't get to wound up about it.... I reckon I'm wrong cause several ppl have told me off for saying that.

[Xavie]

:eek:Is this not something to worry about????:eek:

Agreed it is something to worry about but I thought it was probably a lot worse and if there is no long term damage or contamination to oil my simple understanding is that it should not cause long term damage...... if it does I'll be worried but...... for now I'll just live in the moment :o

[Xavie]

Well the Defender is back and working great. I was told there was rear diff whine and that it was fixed as they put a new rear diff on BUT I can tell you there was rear diff whine and it is as bad as before I put it in to the workshop so..... It seems normal to me and I'm not concerned ..... at least I didn't have to pay.

But great staff, they all did a wonderful Job. A fellow named ?Chris was at the shop until 1930 hrs making sure it got on a tilt tray to get it back to me as I was going away the next morning.

[justinc]

Ah, the rear diff whine IS NOT NORMAL and you should pursue it immediately and with great tenacity. Trust me, I would get it rectified NOW.;)


JC

[awabbit6]

Apparently there was a bit of swarf in the drilling for the diff lock detent which was allowing it to self disengage.


... if they found a few that stopped the CDL from engagin there is a BIG Problem that will come back and bite you.........

Not necessarily true. If what Scott has been told is accurate, there is not really any reason to expect that any damage is likely to occur. Assuming that the detent ball, spring etc is similar to other transmissions, anything that is in there is unlikely be able to fall into the main assembly and bearings.

The diff whine on the other hand ...