Thread: LT95 Transfer Thrust Muncher

Originally Posted by 350RRC

Excuse my dumbness, but how come the contact point on those gears isn't in the longitudinal centre?

DL, yes I was just making sure that there was no significant bias pushing the gears sideways. But I'm no expert at all. The results that I got seem to indicate that contact was made in the "meat" of the gear - it may not be exactly on center but seemed to be reasonable to me. What I was trying to eliminate was the possibility that the box may have been warped in some way so that the shafts weren't aligned properly. This is a highly unlikely problem but I'm trying to eliminate everything. I'd be very happy if someone could confirm that this is a valid test.

And,yes, the TRB setup would solve my problems in the long term. Stay tuned...

Cheers
Pete

Well, it's been many months since I last posted on this issue and its time to give a report on the outcome.

Firstly, there is no doubt that the steel thrust washers were a faulty part and were the cause of the failure. I've put 5K on the box using second hand bronze thrust washers and they haven't worn at all (they can be inspected through the oil filler hole on the top of the transfer box - that's convenient!).

However, the support from the supplier has been absolutely disgusting. I won't slander them but this is a short history of the facts:-

May - denied that they could possibly have supplied faulty part
June - returned one of the parts to them (at my expense) for their inspection
July - confirmed receipt of part
Sept - confirmation that the parts had been received as part of a "job lot" and had been removed from stock
Oct - refund denied because parts were "out of warranty"
Nov - no response to my emails

The "out of warranty" was an absolute insult after the time it took to get an admission. I've been very polite at all stages of the negotiation but it's been a constant battle to get any response from them, I've been bounced from person to person, ignored, basically been called a liar then given no apology (or support) when they've been found to be at fault.

I've given up...

Pete

Terrible service. I'd go so far as to call it douchebaggery.

What did you want from the vendor? Refund? Replacement? Damages?

By the lead times above, I'm guessing it's an offshore vendor?

Well, fortunately the damage was isolated to the transfer section of the LT95. There was so much steel dust floating around that it has prematurely worn all the brand new bearings I had installed. Thanks to Bearman it's running on a set of second hand hi range gears, bearings and washers but the whole transfer section needs a rebuild. This isn't an overly expensive rebuild (if you discount the damaged gear). I made up an order to the supplier (for around $200) and asked if they'd offer me a special deal (wasn't even asking for freebies). They said no, so I then asked if they would at least replace the faulty thrust washers - that's when they told me that the warranty had lapsed.

Fortunately our West Australian RAC recovered the vehicle 500km(!) without charge - now that is amazing service, even if I am a long term member on the highest membership (ahhhh, I own a Land Rover...). So I've got out of jail fairly lightly, but, wow, that is downright awful service - yes they're UK, I guess they feel they can get away with it with an Oz customer.

If anyone else has ordered these washers off Cr**docks, just check them with a magnet before you put them in. There was quite a lag between me raising the issue and them removing them off the shelf.

Pete

The saga continues but there has been some progress.

After getting the proprietor of Craddocks involved I was sent a kit of parts to rebuild the transfer case free-of-charge (bearings, seals, gaskets and thrust washers). This support was most appreciated after the 6 month run-around.

The irony is that the thrust washers supplied in this kit were supplied by Britpart and made of steel (yes, steel, not bronze). Both Britpart and Craddocks had denied ever stocking steel thrust washers so this was a bit of a surprise to me and them (I couln't be sure the first supply of thrust washers were from Britpart because I'd thrown away the packaging - but I had my suspicions).

Craddocks contacted Britpart on my behalf and Britpart have now confirmed that they do make the thrust washers out of steel and have not had any problems with supplying them as such.

Ok, that's their prerogative but I would advise any prospective purchaser to do their homework before installing them.

As documented in this thread, steel washers ground away the pear washer and low range gear in a very short period of time.

Contributing factors may be:-

• It was a long drive (500km) at highway speeds (well, 90k/hr).
• The Hi range transfer gears are the .996 ratio.
• Its behind an ISUZU 4BD1.

But I don't believe any of this should have caused a premature failure - I've run bronze thrust washers under the same conditions with no problems at all.

From my research I have found that thrust washers in this application should be made from bronze or hardened/ground and lapped steel. The thrust washers supplied by Britpart don't look like hardened steel and do not have machined surfaces.

So, I think they're made from the wrong material, but Britpart say there are no problems.

I can see why the Perenties went with tapered bearings.

Pete

Thanks for the story, as it certainly says a lot. Just so you know, somewhere here, just once, someone (who seemed to have a lot of experience) said that the .996 ratio tends to damage the thrust washers more than any other ratio, because of the tooth angle. I'm sorry I can't point you towards the actual thread, but it was just one of those things you read and file away in your head in case you ever need it. At any rate, it may be worth researching.

G'day Pete,

Thanks for the update. All good info.

( My latest challenge with the Series2a is modern brake fluid. Gone back to straight DOT3 for brake and clutch as the modern additives have effected the rubbers and hoses.)

Chris

Originally Posted by Davo

someone (who seemed to have a lot of experience) said that the .996 ratio tends to damage the thrust washers more than any other ratio, because of the tooth angle.

Thanks Davo - it may be a contributing factor and that was why I noted the configuration I was running. The bronze washers are holding up well but I'll be keeping an eye on them (fortunately you can peek into the top of the transfer box from the oil filler plug and get an idea of wear). Even if the .996 ratio is the worst case I wouldn't be trusting the steel thrust washers in any install.

Cheers, Pete

PS I think I found the thread you were referring to. Interesting...
LT 95