Diff guards - waste of money

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Widget

Widget

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On the Ridgeway
I was bought a pair of QT diff guards for my Birthday back in December.

They hung around the house until February, I didn't fit them saying that I'd get round to it when it was warmer.How long does it take to fit a set of diff guards?

I then had a change of heart and I took them back to the Landy shop and swapped them for a set of waffles.

Having thought about it they are just a massive unspung dead weight, the rear one makes no sense because the weak pan points backwards.

I landed both diffs on a very hard tarmac ridge on Chapelgate in the Peak district two weeks after getting rid and no damage was done - the bottom of the diffs are very strong and the drain plug is offset. I used the waffles to drive myself off the obstacle too.

Any other views?
 
I came to the same conclusion. If your doing something thats likely to damage your diff you're doing something wrong and the guards aren't likely to offer that much protection anyway.

What do you reckon to steering guards? I've not been able to look at one close enough to be able to form an opinion. Are they just fashion accesories as well?
 
There's one fitted to my current drive and it's on notice! My old 90 had a very simple bar which I liked - it couldn't fill with mud, rest on the hump between ruts and reduce airflow under the engine.

We'll see. ;)
 
Steering guards: I read that they also protect from logs etc. being flipped up into the steering gubbins. Probably cosmetic but it looks nice. Also provides recovery points on mine.

Diff Guards: They should help your lowest point slide over any obstacle as they are smoother. The rear also protects the UJ where the Propshaft meets the Diff. I agree with the unsprung weight theory but are we really going to notice the difference on a Defender?

Guess it's a matter of personal preference. I feel happier with the protection fitted. It may not make a blind bit of difference in practice but I 'feel' like it does.
I also would prefer to damage the protection and not the bits it's protecting but accept that this may again be all in the mind :D

Widget: I'm real dissapointed you didn't fit them after my diagram and everything! :p ;)
 
Philthy said:
Widget: I'm real dissapointed you didn't fit them after my diagram and everything! :p ;)
Click to expand...

Sorry matey - I really appreciated that you took the time. However after crushing the egos of a few individuals in modded trucks (you know who you are:p ) I've decided that I want to keep the truck fairly standard in the engine, steering and suspension area.

It's a perverse pleasure, but it gives me a kick!!:)
 
I have a front diff guard fitted on my Discovery but sold on the one I had for the rear. (when will i ever be going backwards that fast off-road to need one?) Can't say that the front one has saved my diff or not but it has taken a bit of a battering!

Same with the steering guard! Hidden rocks have been found by the steering guard whilst off-roading so I would say that its paid for itself. BUT it hasn't stopped me from bending a steering damper whilst laning!

Worst thing about the steering guard is that it acts as a big shovel when you need to reverse out of a bog!
 
I probably agree that MOST of the time for MOST drivers, the diff guards are a waste of time. Steering guards tho' I think are good and worthwhile. Not the big silver shiney plate that says "Look at my hard manly truck" Just the suttle bar type that doesn't get in the way or act like a bulldozer!
 
I agree as well. My steering guard has been clanged a few times in the few months I've had a landy, but I don't think I've clobbered anything with my diff. I have diff guards fitted (previous owner) and will leave them for the time being, but if I ever want to do something a bit more serious, then I will buy or make some serious guards that also protect the full axle, both front and rear.
 
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