More bad news on gearbox - help on options

[86mud]

Hi all

I am getting a bit tired of receiving bad news phone calls lately regarding my gearbox.

Now my mate has had time to fully strip the gearbox. Not only is the main shaft broken and the transfer case housing stuffed, but most of the actual gears in the gearbox have either chipped teeth or wear marks. Which means they can not be reused.

Now I am a bit dumbfounded - how can a car with only 190,000 on the clock have such a stuffed gearbox? My old locked and loaded rangie never had a gearbox problem with 310,000 on the clock and all my previous cars (a number of old Peugeots) which I sold with all over 300,000 on the clock never had a gearbox problem with one car even surviving the Mobil one trial back in the 90's.

I have gone past the point of being angry with the previous owner, now I am in a state of shock at the cost.

Options that I can think are:

1. Rebuild box with new gears - very expensive with gears at about $300 each.
2. Source a second hand R380 not knowing it's conditon and install it crossing my fingers.
3 Install an auto from a series one disco...

Either way there won't be much change from $4,000...money I could be spending on a stinkin' holiday that I have been wanting to take for 2 years.

Andrew

[peter5111]

Not sure which gearbox it is but with trashed gears and a damaged transfer case housing I very much doubt it will be economical to repair. By the sounds of it about the only thing you will be able to keep is the gear knob ?

Best I can suggest it to keep an eye on Ebay if you have an alternate transport option ?

No idea what a LT230 is worth but an R380 from TRS cost me 2.5k. If it is the TD5 you may want to keep 'clutch change' in the back of your head. Apparently the dual mass flywheel can not be resurfaced ? Or maybe it is just the internal springs that are the problem. Either way a flywheel is something stupid like over a grand. I know that is about the last thing you want to be hearing right now, sorry.

If you go the auto route Ashcrofts do a copy of the American centre console to suit the auto. Ashcroft Transmissions .

Hi all

I am getting a bit tired of receiving bad news phone calls lately regarding my gearbox.

Now my mate has had time to fully strip the gearbox. Not only is the main shaft broken and the transfer case housing stuffed, but most of the actual gears in the gearbox have either chipped teeth or wear marks. Which means they can not be reused.

Now I am a bit dumbfounded - how can a car with only 190,000 on the clock have such a stuffed gearbox? My old locked and loaded rangie never had a gearbox problem with 310,000 on the clock and all my previous cars (a number of old Peugeots) which I sold with all over 300,000 on the clock never had a gearbox problem with one car even surviving the Mobil one trial back in the 90's.

I have gone past the point of being angry with the previous owner, now I am in a state of shock at the cost.

Options that I can think are:

1. Rebuild box with new gears - very expensive with gears at about $300 each.
2. Source a second hand R380 not knowing it's conditon and install it crossing my fingers.
3 Install an auto from a series one disco...

Either way there won't be much change from $4,000...money I could be spending on a stinkin' holiday that I have been wanting to take for 2 years.

Andrew

[rar110]

I know how you feel. I have never had a problem with gearboxes in previous vehicles. Now I do.

It's a big hit to the hip pocket replacing a gearbox, no matter which option. I am just about to do it. Thankfully Bearman from here came to my rescue with a rebuilt box a lot better/cheaper than I could otherwise do it.

The upside is you know the gearbox after a rebuild. A late model R380 is worth considering if you can see the kms on the car it comes from. At $800 + remove and refit you have to be careful. You should consider a rebuilt Ashcroft box. From memory they are reasonably priced. Freight from the UK is usually the killer.

Good luck

[peter5111]

Probably not toooo bad if you can convince them to put it on a slow boat.

Watch the core charge from Ashcrofts though, $$$, and I am pretty sure the box you send them has to be in a rebuildable condition. Byt the sound of it the LT230 may be beyond it ?

[86mud]

Been looking at Ashcroft's website and have made contact with their aus distributers...

My truck is a 1998 300 TDi, so the clutch will be replaced and the fly wheel will be machined "if" i stick with a replacement R380 gearbox... I can;t see me driving an auto..

I am still angry! I really need that my ute back on the road as I am hiring a crap hilux at the moment and it really sucks to drive...

Andrew

[peter5111]

Who are the ashcroft Aussie rep's ? I didn't realise there was one. I am about to be looking for an overhaul kit for my spare R380. It swallowed one of the layshaft bearings

I have not had it apart yet to see just how bad the damage is.

I know how you feel being without your pride and joy. The most annoying thing I find is even after all the frustration, once you are mobile again all things seem to be forgiven... Bloody landrovers

[DeeJay]

Who are the ashcroft Aussie rep's ? I didn't realise there was one. I am about to be looking for an overhaul kit for my spare R380. It swallowed one of the layshaft bearings

I have not had it apart yet to see just how bad the damage is.

I know how you feel being without your pride and joy. The most annoying thing I find is even after all the frustration, once you are mobile again all things seem to be forgiven... Bloody landrovers

Ashcroft distributors are Rovacraft, they advertise on this site. Here in Melb they only send a gearbox to a repairer.
You can buy one outright, not sure of the price.
David

[86mud]

Made decision today...I think I am over being angry now...

Ordered a reconditioned/exchange R380 gearbox from British Off Road. Will begin rebuilding transfer case this weekend and then early next week replace the engine main seal, install the freshly machined flywheel and install the new clutch kit.

Hopefully have the car back on the road late next week.

Not looking forward to the bill.

Cheers
Andrew

[rar110]

the only way to look at it is long term. If the 130 is a long term keeper you will get the benefit of a new box over a long period of time.

It will be a big bill. They should be able to give you a good idea of cost once they open it up. They have done plenty.

Good luck.

[Corgie Carrier]

Did you look in the markets section first?

http://www.aulro.com/apc/showproduct...ct/1095/cat/14

Not a bad price