SVX transmission slack anyone?

[PJH1109]

OK, last time it was a clunking around the transfer case - LR dealer said they 'couldn't find anything wrong' but it's not happened since, so I'm suspecting they fixed it by slackening off the handbrake and didn't tell me.

Now I've been noticing for a little while that there is an increasing amount of 'play' in the transmission, very noticable in lower gears (1-4) when driving normally on roads.

LR dealer said 'that's normal for a defender as they loosen up' - how loose is loose? Is a definite 'clunk' in every gear upto and including 4th normal as it takes up the slack? Is this level of slack normal? Are there any reports of this with anyone else?

I hate going back to the LR monopoly here in Perth and looking (or sounding) like an idiot, but at the same time, my mechanical ear is not too comfortable with this level of noise.

Anyone else experiencing the same problem?

[dmdigital]

I would say it's not normal. Certainly nothing like you describe has occurred on my 08 Puma and I've now done almost 40,000km.

Do you get any clutch rattle, particularly at startup?

[Drover]

I would take it back for sure.

My SVX only has 7,500K's and I haven’t experienced any clunking.

In fact it is pretty smooth, providing your clutch and gear work is up to spec.

If you can’t get satisfaction from the dealer, complain direct to LR Australia, that should stir them up enough to motivate them to take the problem seriously.

Cheers

[dullbird]

had the same thing on mine....I was told that it was normal..especially clunked bad in 3rd. I actually had a fellow Puma owner drive mine and he did say it felt ok..however when they pulled the engine low and behold after me still complaining yep the clutch springs were loose...new clutch in and it was great..how ever I have a vibration coming from the gearbox now and when gearbox is cold 2nd is really crunching.....

but again it wouldn't surprise me if it is the clutch....

no one knows the car better than the person that drives it the most as you feel the differences in the vehicle if your tuned into its mechanics..

even Ian didn't really believe me about the 3rd gear crunch even though he struggled to change gear and even he admits he was wrong and I was right to persist that it was the clutch because it was.:)

I'm no mechanic but I know when something has changed or is different as I take note all the time of the way the car feels and sounds (because I'm paranoid:)) when I'm driving and my driving.

[dmdigital]

If you can’t get satisfaction from the dealer, complain direct to LR Australia, that should stir them up enough to motivate them to take the problem seriously.
:Rolling: You've obviously never had to go down that path:(

[Drover]

:Rolling: You've obviously never had to go down that path:(


Actually I have,

I had a "flare" between 2nd and 3rd in the 6 speed auto, when cold, on my previous LR a Disco3, dealer replaced valve body and various other parts but they couldn’t fix the problem and then wasn't prepared to keep chasing the cause.

I little bit of correspondence and gentle pressure with LR Aus and I got to deal direct with the Manager of vehicle Service. Without too much drama, new gear box - Happy Days.

I guess it is all in the approach!

Cheers

[PJH1109]

Guys, this is great and gives me more confidence in going back there and standing my ground. Generally Southern are pretty responsive, but nothing winds them up more than the customer spouting off about his car, so I think I'll take the long but hopefully productive route - I'll try and take the mechanic out with me in the car and see what he says...

Thanks for the input - if there's any more words of wisdom, I'd be grateful and hope that I don't have to resort to writing to LR Australia.

[LR D4]

OK, last time it was a clunking around the transfer case - LR dealer said they 'couldn't find anything wrong' but it's not happened since, so I'm suspecting they fixed it by slackening off the handbrake and didn't tell me.

Now I've been noticing for a little while that there is an increasing amount of 'play' in the transmission, very noticable in lower gears (1-4) when driving normally on roads.

LR dealer said 'that's normal for a defender as they loosen up' - how loose is loose? Is a definite 'clunk' in every gear upto and including 4th normal as it takes up the slack? Is this level of slack normal? Are there any reports of this with anyone else?

I hate going back to the LR monopoly here in Perth and looking (or sounding) like an idiot, but at the same time, my mechanical ear is not too comfortable with this level of noise.

Anyone else experiencing the same problem?

Hi PJH


Keep pushing Southern for what you know is right they certainly seem to be the king of dodging bullets


If you need any fodder for your case you are more than welcome to drive down the hill and compare my 09 Puma with yours.


Regards

LR09WA

[Allan]

I would take it back for sure.

My SVX only has 7,500K's and I haven’t experienced any clunking.

In fact it is pretty smooth, providing your clutch and gear work is up to spec.

If you can’t get satisfaction from the dealer, complain direct to LR Australia, that should stir them up enough to motivate them to take the problem seriously.

Cheers


My SVX clunks if my gear change is out of sink as well. My old man drove transport during WW2 and taught me smooth. If I forget this, clunk. I just think its a very slow box with lots of backlash built in and we have to live with it.

[PJH1109]

Thanks to everyone for the input. LR09WA - I may well get in touch and see what happens - did you buy yours from Southern too?

The problem doesn't seem to be temperature or gear related, I think that it's more noticable at slower speeds because there's less momentum in the drive train to keep the system 'loaded' - I really noticed how bad it was when my wife drove off in it today, and I could hear it clonking away at over 100 yards whilst she was pulling away. (I suppose if could be her driving, but it shouldn't be that bad). She was changing gear quite normally...

I'll steel myself for a long haul at Southern next week when I get back to Perth.

[Allan]

This clonk seems to be standard equipment on Pumas. Years ago when my trade was Ford transmission mech. at Lynfords, Ford had a very compearable problem with 6 cyl TC Cortina diffs. They did s..t loads of mods to get rid of the clunks the old autos would do on down change. Dont think I can remember anything working. I think, like them, we have to live with it ( PS Try John at Alfs, tell him Allan with the moded SVX recomended him and he will S..t) honestly he is a nice guy and will listen.

Allan

[PJH1109]

Allan

Recognise that car - we bumped into each other, almost literally at Coral Bay back in July !!

How spooky - my second car was a 250 TC Cortina SW, which was a great car - I don't recall any excessive slack on the transmission (mine was a 4sp manual with well over 100,000 miles on the clock), but rest assured, this clunking is really excessive (and has come on since we 'met') and I agree with most people here, it needs to be looked at.

I'll see how Southern are and take it from there.

Cheers


Peter

[Allan]

Hi Peter

I am back to Coral Bay next month but without my sons Disco as back up. Sorry your having problems, hope Sotherns can help. let me know how you go.

Allan

[Allan]

Allan

Recognise that car - we bumped into each other, almost literally at Coral Bay back in July !!

How spooky - my second car was a 250 TC Cortina SW, which was a great car - I don't recall any excessive slack on the transmission (mine was a 4sp manual with well over 100,000 miles on the clock), but rest assured, this clunking is really excessive (and has come on since we 'met') and I agree with most people here, it needs to be looked at.

I'll see how Southern are and take it from there.

Cheers


Peter
Further to this, trans noise to the side, would anybody like to work out the odds of two SVX Landrovers meating at a beach north of Corel Bay that is a bitch to get to on the same day.

Allan

[LR D4]

PJH

I certainly did buy from Southern and If they supplied the car on time and not 10 weeks after they assured me on delivery I could almost say it was painless.

As for the service department I think southern should spend more time and money fixing their customers vehicles instead of worrying about things like valet parking, leather sofas and soy latte coffee.


Jordan Rover-Tech :: Jordan Rover-Tech - Perth, Western Australia (http://www.jordanrover-tech.com.au/)

Discovery Automotive. Land Rover Specialists (http://www.discoveryauto.com.au/)

Perth Jaguar Servicing, Land Rover Serving, Range Rover Servicing, Scooter Servicing (http://www.franzonemotors.com.au/jaguar-rover-servicing-perth.html)


Take the car to any of these guys and get a second opinion

I am sure they would be more happy to help and doubt they would charge if you tell them your concern.

LR09WA

[PJH1109]

OK - I promised to provide the update on my 'slack' transmission now that Southern LR have had it for a week whilst I was abroad.

Clutch replaced - clutch plate springs compressed causing the rattle that's been reported by others - new clutch assembly including thrust bearing, but whilst it improved the clunking, it didn't fix it.

Further investigation showed the the off side splines were worn on the half shaft at the wheel end. This was a contributing factor to the noise (and slack that I had previously described). The splines on the off side (drivers) rear were 'worn a bit' so they replaced both sides as a precaution.

I must say, it's now quiet, smooth and tight and feels like a new car. Hats off to Southern for persisting and not doing the bare minimum, and I'm a happy boy.

Happy Christmas to everyone.


Peter

[BigJon]

Axle spline wear will be an ongoing issue until you go to MD type drive flanges and oil lubed wheel bearings.