Thread: Puma Transfer case clunking

Originally Posted by jc109

I have an old SIII that is quieter and smoother than my 3 month old Defender, and I'm hoping that it isn't just me and that this won't be deemed "within normal parameters".

James, mine did the same when brand new. Once or twice it jumped out of High while I was on the highway - scary stuff! Hasn't done it since, maybe things just needed to bed down a bit?

The clunking is standard on the Puma - LR just says it's normal. If something were to break, you better hope it's in the warranty period.

Mine is an 08 model and that has happened to me about half a done times. LR say it is my fault for not having positively selected the gear change.

I find going from low range back to high range on the Puma is a bit hit and miss.

Although I haven't had the gear lever slip out of gear, I find it difficult knowing whether the gears have correctly meshed or engaged fully into the detent on the shaft. There seems to be no 'sweet spot' which can be felt when moving from low range to high range.


Strange as the transfer is still basically the same as in earlier Defenders. On our 06 Defender, you can feel a definite high and low engage position when changing.

Erich

I've found the slipping out of high or low to be a trap for young players with the Tdi/LT230 transfer case as well.

If you lean on the knob/selector as you apply load to the drivetrain (ie let the clutch out) gently, or roll forward (or back), after you've just selected the required range, if it wasn't quite engaged properly it will slip gently into place/gear.

Just out of habit I always select 1st and pop the clutch in neutral when shifting from low to high range or vice versa. Doing this you pretty much always feel the gears slot in as they are still spinning a bit. I've never had it jump out on me.

Thanks guys. Good tips to try when I get home. If it is my doing I hope I change my ways quickly and avoid causing any damage.

Mine is an earlier Defender, but I have found a technique that works much better than anything else I have tried.

For a couple of reasons, including the fact that my driveway is reasonably steep, I like to back out of the carport in low range. When the wheels get to the gutter, I disengage the clutch and as the vehicle starts to rock gently forward, I select high range.

It is pretty easy to time it right and moving the lever really is like a hot knife through butter. If I try to move the lever on level ground or when the vehicle is still, it might take half a dozen attempts involving such things as selecting neutral and dabbing the clutch. So the technique really is making an enormous difference.

I realise that it isn't always possible to arrange it, but I find that having the vehicle rocking gently backwards or forwards and changing just as the vehicle changes direction has a much more dramatic effect than just having it gently rolling in one direction.

If you can get the lever to move as easily as that, you can be fairly sure that your technique is giving it the best chance of being fully engaged. Then if the problem persists, you can start looking at other possible causes.

Thanks again guys. I love this site.