Thread: Once bitten...

Ok now I am confused. Does anyone have a D3 service manual that shows how to replace diff seals?
I didn't want to start an argument as to whether D2 or D3 was the best vehicle, just don't want any nasty surprises if I do go with D3.
I thought waiting 12 months after D2 TD5 was released would be sufficient to find out any inherent bugs..LOL.. I got the lot! Oil in injector harness (twice), ABS modulator shuttle valve, ABS sensor harness, but still love my D2 & it has never left me stranded. I have to hand it to LR that they fixed these under warranty even when warranty had expired.
I would never buy a new vehicle again until at least 2 years after release & reading every forum on model first.
I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has a D3 TDV6 05/06 to find out any issues that they have had as well as general running & servicing costs.

Cheers..B

Originally Posted by bruiser69

Ok now I am confused. Does anyone have a D3 service manual that shows how to replace diff seals?
Cheers..B

It's all in the on-line GTR (Land Rover Global Technical Reference) site. The Dana supplied diffs are generally problem free on these, apart from a batch that suffered from contamination due to paint peeling on the inside of the casings. These are/were replaced under the following TSB:

Models
LM - New Range Rover
LA - Discovery 3
LS - Range Rover Sport

Title Front & Rear Differential Noise & Oil Leaks
Last Modified 03-MAR-2009 12:23
Category: Driveline
Symptom: 509000 Axle Concerns
Content: Front & Rear Differential Noise, Minor Oil Seal Leak & Debris in Oil.

Concern: Noise (Whine or humming) from the front or rear differential. A minor oil leak may be evident with possible debris in oil. Oil will be black in color.

Cause: The casing black paint /sealer degrades, detaches and contaminates the oil.
This results in the oil overheating which results in oil seal leaks and bearing noise.
Note: Differentials from the VINs quoted below are manufactured with a new casing paint which overcomes the above mentioned issues.

Please only raise an EPQR for differential issues which occur post the quoted VIN numbers:

Discovery 3 LR3 - LA8A459201
Range Rover Sport - LS8A141510
Range Rover. LM8A268394

http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albu...tail%20GTR.pdf

There you go.

Caver - dont know what thread you are referring to. Please understand though that I love LRs and that includes, funnily enough, the D3 but as an ownership proposition (out of warranty) they keep getting more expensive (and often without good cause)...and seeing that post about the diff seals from someone who worked at a dealer exacerbated my view of that...lets face it if someone posted on the D2 forum who owned a D1 and wanted to know what the D2 was like I would praise its ability etc on one hand but warn him that on the other hand the D1s didnt face insanely expensive and frequent (150,000k) replacement of front CVs and half shaft because the D1 has proper swivel housings as a live axel vehicle should have and their front drive shafts dont seem to suffer like the D2's do pontentially without warning and then causing a hole in the transmission when it lets go...you see there has to be balance. On this D3 thread I wonder if SOME not all writers have forgotten that - surely if someone with an earlier model wants feedback they want it warts and all...

Also its not about whether you can afford it or want to afford it, but more so about informed decisions. So, if it were the case as Bigjon posted that you couldnt get diff seals, surely a potential owner would want to know that...and dont forget that many owners hang onto their machines out of warranty and want to know what the real costs of same are (including if needs be down the track the costs of major items like engine re-conditioning and transmissions etc), they are not just lease scrollers who become forum sages on the latest and greatest machines...

Cheers

Sorry, post not thread.

The questions asked on here have been answered by those who have and know D3s and are happy to do so. Both positive and negative comments have been made.
Those who bought D3s made an informed decision after researching their options.
What you were told by the dealer has been corrected by a few on this forum.
THE SEALS CAN BE REPLACED.
You need to compare like with like, if you are looking for a new LR then you get a D3 or defender or RRS or RR (or D4?).
Other brand which are new vehicles are as expensive or more expensive to repair. With the D3 now five years old there are aftermarket options coming out like the did for the D2.
If you want second hand there are many options including a D3.
Affordabiliity is not just about purchce but as you pointed out, upkeep, if you not wish to pay for both you won't buy it.
If you wish to discuss D2s maybe the D2 section would be the place to post your knowledge of that model LR.

PS Reconditioned TDV6 from LR is about $6000, not bad for a modern diesel.

Caver
Is that a ball park price or hearsay....sounds cheap

Dealer said just over the $6K it was being put in a D3 with >25,000km onit that had blown (water in the manifold) it had had a hard life it was a a hire car for off road work as well as guided trips, lot of Stockton trips worked hard. Had a good layer of mud too.





I don't think they paid for the arduous service shedule though.

Caver - I was discussing the D2 because of a post about same from another member and my original post on page 2 about the D2 was in support of the proposition that the newer discoveries were much more reliable than the early Freelanders...if you are suggesting that it is remiss for me to post about a D2 when part of the question from another member is that their D2 does not have diff lock and when they are wondering whether to go to a later D2 with diff lock or not or go to a D3 then I suggest that is misplaced. I think someone above got a bit overly sensitive about my post - and because I dont have a D3 that seems to make some people jumpy; they are all LRs.

As for $6k - if you gave me a written quote from a reputable diesel reconditioner I would be doing cartwheels and I would be inclined to a diesel if I ever went D3/D4 but to be honest having been around workshops a bit over my time (my family are all mechanics and diesel fitters and 4wd shop owners) I doubt the veracity of what you were told...to give you an example a second hand small capacity nissan TD from the wreckers with relatively low ks (150k) and no warranty save that it will start and run is about $15,000. I have seen the bills first hand of what it costs to recondition a relatively low tech 95 D1 Tdi - $20,000 without turbo. I know that some inroads havebeen made in recent years with reconditioning diesels but I really doubt that it would be 6k mate. But hey, if it is terrific and more power to D3 owners I say. Having said all that it depends on the condition of the engine, the reason for the reco and what needs replacing - in the $20k ex the injectors all needed replacing.

Cheers