Thread: 3rd rear diff

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Its was a cost cutting exercise, diff center is same as P38 so they only needed to flip a housing to make it work - worst decision ever.

The P38A doesn't seem to have diff problems. Why does the Defender?

Originally Posted by p38arover

The P38A doesn't seem to have diff problems. Why does the Defender?

I think they do when used hard offroad. However the defender seems to suffer from a significant downgrade in CW&P quality and/or diff setup - which is much more critical on the P38 diff due to the short pinion bearing spacing.

Thanks Ben.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

I think they do when used hard offroad.

I can understand that but there seem to be more than a few problems on Defenders that haven't been used hard off-road. I could be wrong as it's not something I've followed closely.

I'm not sure that many P38As get used that much off-road!

Originally Posted by p38arover

The P38A doesn't seem to have diff problems. Why does the Defender?

Neither did the Defender until 2007 (no warranty issues at least).

Originally Posted by 1nando

Update,

Hi guys,

So today I visited mr Davis. It was a real eye opener, and more importantly a proper diagnosis with someone who knows these vehicles inside out and can offer advise that seems realistic.

So the diagnosis went as follows:
-the noise I have been experiencing is not the new diff. It's a result of the centre diff lock needing new shims and something in there rattling. Back to Trivetts to get that looked at under warranty.......it has what Bruce calls excessive back lash as well.
-the new diff looks as though it has been set up correctly. The first two were new units this one was a refurbished land rover diff. Bruce told me the refurbished ones are rebuilt correctly and I should be right with this one. He put the car on the hoist, one mechanic driving it and another using diagnostic ears on the diff axles etc.....nothing was heard and all looks good.

So now I need to convince Trivetts that there is too much back lash and to have a look at the centre diff lock and the worn shims.....will be fun as the mechanic there seems to think that defenders are supposed to make all kinds of noises...

I'll post up more after going to trivetss

Glad all went well! I love going to Davis, always great trucks there to look at, and they do a great job! Was there last week.

According to Bruce the new diffs are set up incorrectly. The refurbished ones are of good quality. Bruce says that they are set up correctly, unlike the new ones land rover builds the refurbished ones with correct set up. He says that when set up correctly they are a good diff.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Hopefully you have a nice written report to show them?

Again out of warranty an ashcroft atb would be the best centre diff replacement.
T-case problems can often sound like diff problems and vice versa.

Well why do you constantly blame the diff?,you seem to enjoy putting **** on me for saying we need to look at all possibilities. Pat

Originally Posted by p38arover

The P38A doesn't seem to have diff problems. Why does the Defender?

I've been saying that from the start,plenty of P38A's running their originals with big miles on them. Pat