Thread: 92 RRC Vogue SE. Things to look for.

The Viscous coupling inside the transfer case is your weakest link...

Look for front tyre wear odDities and listen for chirping when on hard lock, like a small roundabout. - A turning circle like an ocean liner is a dead give-away...

Here's a link for the 'official' test method and best place to buy a replacement.-If this is dead, you really should buy a new output shaft whilst you're at it. -Saves a few dollars on carriage.

Range Rover Viscous Coupling - Ashcroft Transmissions

and here if you want the shrt versn on Youtube , all of 72 seconds...
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1vV9Zk-GhI]Range Rover Classic /Borg Warner viscous coupling failure - ask the expert - YouTube[/ame]

There's lots of other quirks... memory battery in the seat/mirror ECU will be due for replacement - if it has'nt leaked already...

Monumental fuel use... is normal.

Howzat for starters ?

Thanks superquag, I'll add them to the list. Thought they would of had the viscous coupling sorted this late in the model run.

BW, have got the VC sorted,,, a part you can't substitute for, which does not have an indefinate life, and therefore will need replacing at some time.

Or trade it up for a new car...

If it has been on the beach at all, or been on the coast for awhile, make sure you do a thorough rust check. Rusting usually starts on the floors at the base of the firewall (inside). You can pull the front carpets up and the rubber mat underneath to check. Plenty of other places to check for gaping rust holes on Classics (bottom of the sills, door frames, inside and under the rear quarter windows, top seam of the firewall which is behind the master cylinder) but if the car looks like it has been cared for and is generally tidy - the floor is worth checking anyway because the rubber mats trap any moisture/water on the floor and it's usually forgotten about until there are 50c sized holes. If the top tailgate frame is rusty (almost all of them are) they are hard to find in good condition and quite expensive brand new.

If it really has been well cared for by the owner, you might only have to worry about the Lucas gremlins that will eventually begin to make everything stop working.

I would have thought of several things more likely than the Viscous coupling.
1 extensive rust around the sunroof due to blocked drains
2 ABS problems which are very expensive to fix
3 electric seat operation ECU corroded
4 engine problems eg leaking head gaskets /slipped liners
5 air suspension problems
6 If over 200Kk the biggie is Auto transmission wear problems/operation notably slow change from first when cold. This is at least 3.5-4K.
7 worn steering /leaking steering box/swivels need replacing
8 rusted tailgate both top and bottom
9 heater not connected due to leaking core
Regards Philip A

Oh I forgot the rear output shaft of the Borg Warner often goes at 200Kk and can leave you stranded. Best to replace it before going on a big trip.

"...I would have thought of several things more likely than the Viscous coupling."

We were breaking the news gently Phil...

****balls... the list grows... thanks for the tips everyone... I wasn't aware the 4 speed auto transmissions had notable issues.

its not all doom and gloom.....i have a 1991 SE and the gearbox is fine...

ABS problems....headliner is hanging.....electric seat buggered(circuit board most likely) perished hoses....dash falling apart...radio and CD stacker not working you know the little things

oh and the heater core