clutch issues after wading :(

hi i bought a 300tdi, and ive taken it offroading as you do but without relising about the wading plugs !!! im missing both and been wading, ive never heard of these before as new to the land rover seen and just asumed you went off roading how wrong was i, it seems that the muddy waters got in to my bell housing and clutch and now when i use the clutch it grinds, only when moving in car tho not at stand still, but only when clutch pedal is down not up,but gears are fine go's in every gear perfect no noises gearbox seems fine, so ive been told this should be the release bearing which i can understand as a wet muddy bearing is a no no with any bearing , but alot of mates who have had discos have never had them or mentioned them and had no problems, but clearly i have, and it started 30 mins after wading so clearly was what caused it , so thinking water musta dryed out then started making noise, is it a hard job replacing being the weight of the gearbox/transfer box is huge lol, has anybody had this problem before just for advice, only had disco a week ahhhggghhhh, and a 5 pound set of wading plugs are gona cost hundreds now help please !!!!!

Sorry I cant help but would like to know about wading plugs etc as I'm a noob aswell
I know f**k all about preping a motor for the wet stuff, so any help/info is much appreciated

Sounds like the thrust bearing has grit in it and probably in the clutch too, only way to get at it is either engine out or gearbox off, personally I find it easier to take the engine out. taking the engine out is not as bigger job as perhaps it sounds

I went over bonnet depth a few times on the weekend without wading plugs or snorkel etc with no problems.

The plugs essential then?

its essential to remove them after wading ,the front timing case is most important as timing belt and tensioners in there and with wading plug in is a sealed housing or should be if front crank pulley seal is okay and cover gaskets are in tact,wading plug should normally be out in case of oil leaks gathering in housing and contamingating belt, clutch housing if immeresed quickly with plug in will remain reasonably dry ,but as engine to gearbox joint and gearbox to bellhousing joint arent normally sealed joint unless made so prolonged wading will lead to bellhousing filling but plug will help to keep the worst of mud/sand out

there so important you wouldnt believe, 2 bolts 10 pound, new clutch and clean out 470 buy some gez TRUST u were lucky mate

worked out to be clutch release bearing as clutch still works fine and gears work perfect no clonking or gear grinding, just bearing sometimes grinds when clutch pushed down, were grit or muds in there so moral of the story is buy these WADING PLUGS or IT WILL COST YOU IN THE LONG RUN OR IN ARE CASE IN THE SHORT RUN

Personally, given that the disco is renowned for rust issues, I'd avoid getting it wet underneath unless you have to.

or a defender - rotten chassis and bulkeads - needs to be wrapped in cotton wool.

i could do with doing this - any guides on how to sort it and make it all safe for wading ?

MAX BAXTER, after a few mistakes and alot of research has taught me ur gona need 2 wading plugs which is a 10er, axle breathers (pipes that come from axles up to top of ur snorkle) as when ur axles hot from of roading then u go through water it cools down causing suction which then sucks water in axles and f**ks ur oil/grease then ruins ur axles, also same kit needs to be used on the transmission breather and maybe transfer box 2, only 15 a kit which comes with 2 breathers so 30 for 2 kits, snorkel defently like 65 for full metal one on ebay, (we went off roading through water without one in about 3ft of water and were so lucky as when checked air box the filter was f**ked and mud all in the pipes everywhere all the way to the turbo so lucky we never blew the turbo and engine, not worth it when a 65 pound snorkel stops all that lol)also ive been told timing cover gasket can go causing a leak when wading through water so check if possible, think about relocating ur alarm as when wet its ruined, and lastly i no u can get waterproof door seals but cant find them as of yet, there may be more but this is what ive found out in a week of owning it lol,

BREATHERS-http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-DISCOVERY-WADING-EXTENDED-AXLE-BREATHER-KIT-/260679507600?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cb1b59e90

COMES WITH 2 WADING PLUGS ASWELL REMEMBER GET 2 KITS AS WILL SAVE U LOADS IN THE LONG RUN,

SNORKEL-http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Defender-300-TDi-TD5-Puma-Snorkel-Kit-/140611636313?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20bd1b4c59

HOPE ALL THIS HELPS MATE AS LITTLE BIT OF ADIVE COULD SAVE U THOUSANDS

thanks everybody but my clutch has gone now so a mission to rep[lace it now