Rear Diff replacement for 2004 Freelander

[Albioninoz]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the list so apologies if this topic has been raised before. I have a 2004 Diesel Freelander that has done 118,000 klms and I recently took it for a service and was told the rear diff had a lot of metal in it and that a new diff would be needed in the next 12 months. I was quoted $2500 for the diff alone. Has anyone had or heard of similar problems and does this figure sound right or is it exceedingly excessive? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ray
Melbourne, Australia

[101RRS]

The basic design of all FL1 diffs is basically the same - the later ones from about 2000 on have heavier bearings. They are a dyna diff and generally do not have problems.

I am sure that the price for a new diff in Australia is probably OK but given the basic longevity of the diffs I would go for a good second hand one - from about $900 from a reputable landrover wrecker. Another option is to try the UK Ashcroft Transmissions (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/category_1.html)

However if the diff is not dead now I would be getting another opinion - what is causing the metal? Is it noisy? Other than the metal what are other symptoms - sounds a bit suss to me. How do they know it has metal - there is no drain plug and the oil in Freelander diffs is not a serviceable item - strictly speaking the diff is never replaced and on service the filler plug is removed and the oil just topped up. (I do replace mine though). Is the metal from when the diff was new and is just the minor residue from the running in process - I would remove the oil - flush the diff, refill and recheck for metal in 5000km - I bet there will be nothing.

Anyway I would get a second opinion.

Garry

[Albioninoz]

Thanks Garry, I don't know much about Land Rovers, only having had this one for a month. At the service they said they replaced the diff fluid and added an 'friction inhibitor'. Might it be that on service they siphoned out the old fluid before replacing it and found metal fragments in the old fluid? The diff is not noisy at the moment. I will leave it until the next service is due and get a second opinion. Do any readers know of a good Land Rover wrecker around the Melbourne area? Thanks again.

[101RRS]

If there are no real symptoms - I would be tempted to leave it and see what happens - you have nothing to loose - if you are not going offroad it is unlikely that the diff will fail catastrophically and will give warning - $$$ damage is a diff that you are thinking of replacing anyway.

As this is more of a general technical question - try posting in the technical area where other people will view it - we have a couple of good mechanics on the forum.

TR Spares in Lonsdale (Adelaide) in SA are the main wreckers in the southern states. Triumph Rover Spares - The World's Largest Land Rover Dismantler (http://www.triumphroverspares.com.au/)

Garry