Thread: R380 Another Failure, What to do...?

Originally Posted by slug_burner

You do generate a bit of heat when you're reshaping metal.

Mine did not get that far but the gears had started to deform enough to make the box noisy. That box in the pic above must have let out some warning noises before it got to the stage where there was no drive through the indirect gears.

I can't tell you if your rangie box will fit but I suspect not. The bell housing and input shafts I think are different lengths. At least that is the case with Disco V8 and Tdi boxes.

I think you could get an input shaft and laygear for a couple hundred from the UK.

FTC4980 LAYSHAFT | shop | www.lrseries.com | L. R. Series

FTC4982 LAYSHAFT R380 SUFFIX J | shop | www.lrseries.com | L. R. Series

the input pinion is about 150 GBP

The L suffix did not come out in the D1 so you might have to go and have a word to Fred and see what mix of parts you need.

You may be able to pick up a second hand box for about the same price but it could be a lottery.

Having had a chance to look at the rangie box, I can see that is of no use whatever.

Fred fitted the L suffix, the S/H unit that was put in afterwards was an earlier one, don't know the suffix, but it fitted with no changes. It had done 170k and Fred warned that was about it for them, got another maybe 10 before it went. I don't know what's happened there, as it's still in the car, but it still has it's oil.

If the input shaft is $A230, and the kit with bearings, syncros, seals and gaskets etc is $A550, and a reco is $A760 from Ashcrofts, I will explore that option. Shipping, of course, will add a fair bit, but perhaps I know someone. Has anybody here done that; import a whole box?

I've imported a couple of big things. A mob like Ashcrofts should have no trouble crating it and organising the shipping for you, preferably to your nearest international airport. What's happened with me is that one day I'll get a phone call from a clearing agent. (I don't know how this works with the one business getting your details and calling you, but I've never worried about it.) They'll say that you have a shipment that's arrived and do you want them to clear it for you? And if you say yes, which is a good idea as it saves dealing with Customs and AQIS all their strange rules, then they go ahead sorting out the clearances and paperwork. Once it's cleared, then you go and pick it up, (which is entertaining in itself), or just get a courier or freight company to get it for you. There are always various bits of important papers that have to be sent to whoever but I've always found that the agents have been very helpful, even if I've had to make a few calls to keep things moving.

Originally Posted by Davo

I've imported a couple of big things. A mob like Ashcrofts should have no trouble crating it and organising the shipping for you, preferably to your nearest international airport. What's happened with me is that one day I'll get a phone call from a clearing agent. (I don't know how this works with the one business getting your details and calling you, but I've never worried about it.) They'll say that you have a shipment that's arrived and do you want them to clear it for you? And if you say yes, which is a good idea as it saves dealing with Customs and AQIS all their strange rules, then they go ahead sorting out the clearances and paperwork. Once it's cleared, then you go and pick it up, (which is entertaining in itself), or just get a courier or freight company to get it for you. There are always various bits of important papers that have to be sent to whoever but I've always found that the agents have been very helpful, even if I've had to make a few calls to keep things moving.

Thanks, Davo. Dave Ashcroft quoted around $A1600 outright, shipped to the airport (Tulla, in my case), which seems reasonable, provided there are no hidden Customs/AQIS charges. If I can get the old box back to him he will refund 350 quid, so around $540. So even if it costs $3-400 t0 get it back it's worth it. Dunno where I'd get a quality reco like his locally for $1600, with it being even less if I can get the old one back to him.

Reckon it's the way to go. Hell, I might just crate up the other two that I have and turn a profit on the deal! LOL.

Originally Posted by johntins

Thanks, Davo. Dave Ashcroft quoted around $A1600 outright, shipped to the airport (Tulla, in my case), which seems reasonable, provided there are no hidden Customs/AQIS charges.

You will have to pay another $160 GST, a hundred or so Customs admin fee and if necessary customs agents fees.

Originally Posted by garrycol

You will have to pay another $160 GST, a hundred or so Customs admin fee and if necessary customs agents fees.

Yeah. Still cheaper than anything I can find locally, and Ashcroft's seem to have a good rep. Or does anyone have another option?

I hope they don't find a way of charging the bloody carbon tax!

Originally Posted by johntins

The failure was a direct result of cooler. One of the lines loosened, and the oil pumped out instead of around. The box was installed by Fred Smith ( as I have stated on another thread, this was in no way Fred's fault ). He uses Manual Gear Oil 70, and that's what was in it. It was cool, night time, 100k on the freeway from Warragul towards Melb, so no hills.

I'd look further into the type of oil used. As already mentioned these things have an oil pump and some gearbox oils aren't compatible with a pump.

LR specified ATF then changed to a higher spec from memory. So the oil is highly stressed. They also changed the pump design.

I know nothing about the oil quoted, it might be OK. Nor am I suggesting the workshop quoted isn't competent. But I'd satisfy myself that the oil meets the specs as a first step to avoiding another failure.

Regards
Max P

Originally Posted by slug_burner

That box in the pic above must have let out some warning noises before it got to the stage where there was no drive through the indirect gears.

Yeah, you'd think so, but the young bloke had his wife, baby, two dogs and a shirtload of stuff, great big Maxxis Bighorn tyres and a fairly noisy ( she's a bit crude ) 300TDi Disco. He's also a bit short in the hearing department, like his Dad. Mechanical sympathy isn't a strongpoint either lol.

Originally Posted by Tusker

I'd look further into the type of oil used. As already mentioned these things have an oil pump and some gearbox oils aren't compatible with a pump.

LR specified ATF then changed to a higher spec from memory. So the oil is highly stressed. They also changed the pump design.

I know nothing about the oil quoted, it might be OK. Nor am I suggesting the workshop quoted isn't competent. But I'd satisfy myself that the oil meets the specs as a first step to avoiding another failure.

Regards
Max P

Yes, all god points, but I have to say that Fred Smith is VERY highly regarded amongst the Vic LR community.

The gearbox very clearly failed because it had pumped all its' oil out. There was only a couple of cc's in it.