Thread: Do recent Defenders still leak and lash?

apart from the motors they are the same back to early 200tdi.
mines only 60thou k's old and no leaks yet.
back lash yes, but depends on what you class as bad.
this one isnt as bad as my old 93 disco was (260k)

cheers phil

Originally Posted by dham

Just wondering as to peoples experiences regarding oil leaks and drivetrain backlash on recent model Defenders. My 95 build Defender has been plagued by same through it's life despite best 'control' efforts including excellent maintenance, careful driving, maxidrive hubs/shafts, etc, etc. I would be loath to buy into these problems again despite the undoubted superiority (in my opinion) of the Defender as a working bush vehicle. However, if those problems are now sorted, I may be tempted.....

What problems???

oil leaks are massively reduced on the later ones, due to the fact they are now siliconing everything together! Mine doesnt really leak atall... well to the outside anyway! water gets in everywhere when it rains!

Back lash can be lots of things.
But the most common Pre 96 is the input gear in the Transfer.
Its the gear that the output shaft on the R380 gearbox goes into.
Pre 96 they were not cross drilled and suffer a lack of lubrication problem.

Not expensive to fix. Gear is about $280 depending on who you get it off...
You can fit it yourself, but you might need your rover mechanic to fit and shim the bearings.

Easy to check. Pull the PTO cover off the transfer then pull the gear out.... might be sticky, but will come out....

If its not worn bad and the output shaft is not worn bad then you can get it cross drilled or replace it.
I replaced mine.

This is a known fault with all pre 96 rovers (i know disco and Fenders do) 200tdi and V8's including the 300tdi, but the Auto's seem to be less of a problem, might be the smoother drive....

Clarkie

Mine has a little bit of backlash, and I had a rear mainseal replaced at 38k