Thread: Gearbox shudder is back!

I am not going to discount your theory about water ingress and you do need to make sure there is absolutely no water in the oil (this will destroy an auto), but if the oil change at 160k was the first drain and flush since new, then it is at least 60-80k overdue. The original oil has passed its useable life by between 80-100k (less if you tow a lot), and so from that point on wear rates in the clutch packs would have been accelerating. Even doing the first flush at 160k can also dislodge sludge after the refill, and the new oil already be a bit dirty.

When autos were a lot simpler and cheaper to replace you could get away with not servicing and replace with new every 200k, but today's are complicated and expensive items they need to be over serviced. LR (and BMW did the same) were foolish to believe they did not need more regular oil changes. Pity the oil is also so expensive!

Being only a slight shudder, you may not have too much reason to be concerned. Hopefully it does not rapidly deteriorate.

Thanks for the reply DiscoDB,

I got it hoisted up and the guys at Sunstate gearboxes and diffs couldn't see any evidence of water in the gearbox. Apparently the breather is pretty high.

I put two tubes of Dr Trannys Shudder Fix and it seems to be perfect now. I wish Land Rover bought in more manual gearboxes for their cars: but I guess new Land Rover buyers arnt interested

Had fluid replaced by dealer at 160K and was fine for 20K. Shudder returned and had fluid replaced again and steel pan fitted by independent mechanic. Now been fine for a further 40K (220k). Independent repairer said it was reasonably common for 2 changes to fix the problem after waiting until 160K or more to replace fluid