Problems with new Defender

[RMB3218]

I have just returned from an extended trip that was terminated early due to problems with a new TDCi Defender. When I get a chance I will post the complete tale of woe. There a 2 problems that I would suggest owners check.

1. Rear disc backing plates cracking around mounting bolts. I had one come loose and cut ABS wiring loom. There was no sign of rock damage to the plates.

2. Inside of bonnet rubbing on brake master cylinder fluid reservoir. This cuts into reservoir and I had brake fluid coming out of filler cap due the vibration. Two other new Fenders that I have since looked at did the same. I will put up photo when I get a chance.

[spudboy]

That's bad news. Were you on lots of corrugations, or just normal a normal mix of outback touring bitumen/dirt roads?

Are LR helping you out?

[dullbird]

How long were you away for when this happened

[Scouse]

The brake leak is a worry but the backing plate cracks have been around since the rear discs were fitted.

[dullbird]

getting concerned about our trip now

[ladas]

The brake leak is a worry but the backing plate cracks have been around since the rear discs were fitted.

Scott, would a solution to the backing plate be to fit some sort of 'insulation' between the plate and where it mounts - something like rubber grommets or a 'tico' type washer/gasket ?

Ladas

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Sad to hear of these problems. However they don't sound insurmountable :)

[solmanic]

getting concerned about our trip now

You need to wait for Scallops' trip report then... nothing major went wrong, not even a flat tyre! Worst breakage was his Opposite Lock spare wheel carrier cracking at one of the welds.

[dmdigital]

Brake fluid reservoir sounds an odd one. I wouldn't have thought it was that close to the bonnet on mine to be able to rub on anything.

How did the heat shied on the turbo hold up? No loose bolts?

[DirtyDawg]

With todays technology it makes me mad that you guys can't buy a car with 60yrs development behind it and have some potential dangerous faults:twisted: all they did was change the drive train FFS and you have things as critical as the brake system faulty due to a rubbing issue....Landrover should be accountable.....

But in saying that..won't stop me from buying one before the curry munchers get their hands on manufacture.

Have you seen how many new models are being sold second hand on the web..quite a few considering overall sales numbers of new ones.

[Disco44]

Geez I thought they got it right this time.:confused:

[one_iota]

Geez I thought they got it right this time.:confused:

If they got it right the first time we'd still be driving a Series 1...times and expectations change and the vehicles in response to this do too.

change + experimentation = evolution.

[jerryd]

My other car is a Territory AWD, last week as I was driving happily along the left front ball joint snapped, the drive shaft assembly and a few other bits fell off and I was quite lucky not to cause a pile up :eek:
In theory I should have 2 years warranty remaining, but as I've exceeded 100,000 kilometres my warranty has been terminated :mad:

Needless to say I didn't take it to my " Ford Service Dept. " for repair....... so it's not just Landrovers that have problems.

It's a shame about your trip, but the consequences could have been worse for you and me

[rick130]

The brake leak is a worry but the backing plate cracks have been around since the rear discs were fitted.

Yep.
A few of the Defenders I've seen that lived out on crap roads for most of their lives are missing the backing plates entirely.
I only refitted some off a wreck as I didn't want my fancy slotted rotors getting all carved up from rocks spraying off the front wheels (which was happening)

[JamesH]

Oh is that what it's called, "the backing plate". If it is that tinny thing covering the rear disks then a I cracked one on this last trip so it rattles a bit sometimes. It looks like a spot weld job. Mine is 12 years old so i guess I can't really complain.

I tried the local Landy wrecker to get a 2nd hand one but got no response on the email. Now I know what it is called I can search properly to price a replacement.

[Scallops]

You need to wait for Scallops' trip report then... nothing major went wrong, not even a flat tyre! Worst breakage was his Opposite Lock spare wheel carrier cracking at one of the welds.

Not quite - both my rear disc brake guards did the same thing - broke off on the Gunbarrel - gave me a real scare when I heard the noise. I was lucky to get to it before it wrecked anything else. The dealer in Alice (Sutton Motors) were well acquainted with this problem and fitted new ones under warranty. They glue them on and use oversize washers which dissipate the shock.

Both my front ABS sensors went too - not that this problem stopped my progress.

And my LH mirror fell off - as well as my rear window winder!

But I did finish my trip without a tilt tray.

[Blknight.aus]

the solution to the backing plate problem is to weld the bugger properly and beef up the bit of the plate that forms the mount with some 3mm mild steel..

[one_iota]

Not quite - both my rear disc brake guards did the same thing - broke off on the Gunbarrel - gave me a real scare when I heard the noise. I was lucky to get to it before it wrecked anything else. The dealer in Alice (Sutton Motors) were well acquainted with this problem and fitted new ones under warranty. They glue them on and use oversize washers which dissipate the shock.

Both my front ABS sensors went too - not that this problem stopped my progress.

And my LH mirror fell off - as well as my rear window winder!

But I did finish my trip without a tilt tray.

:D

I like that story.

I think we need to recognise that the conditions to which we subject a piece of machinery designed for a global average will suffer when we exceed that average...the outback is not necessarily in that frame of reference. Should LR have anticipated that and still compete for sales in a milder market?

I like Sutton's response...post engineering based on experience. That's what we do when we bolt on accessories.

The moral of the story is "no tilt tray required". Progress was not impeded.

[M00nd0ggy]

Well said:)

[RMB3218]

:D

I like that story.

I think we need to recognise that the conditions to which we subject a piece of machinery designed for a global average will suffer when we exceed that average...the outback is not necessarily in that frame of reference. Should LR have anticipated that and still compete for sales in a milder market?

I like Sutton's response...post engineering based on experience. That's what we do when we bolt on accessories.

The moral of the story is "no tilt tray required". Progress was not impeded.


When I can I will tell the full story

[one_iota]

When I can I will tell the full story

And that we expect (you must) and respect (no judgement)...I bought a second hand Friday afternoon Disco after all :D.

[defmec]

Oh is that what it's called, "the backing plate". If it is that tinny thing covering the rear disks then a I cracked one on this last trip so it rattles a bit sometimes. It looks like a spot weld job. Mine is 12 years old so i guess I can't really complain.

I tried the local Landy wrecker to get a 2nd hand one but got no response on the email. Now I know what it is called I can search properly to price a replacement.
more trouble with them on take em off. not needed imho had mine off for years