Gearbox/Driveline problem

Hi all, I'm new to the forum so please go easy on me I have always wanted a RR and took the plunge about 6 weeks ago. It's a 2002(02) 4.4 V8 SE with 114,000miles, 1 owner(+ wife) from new with service book all stamped up. I was in Belgium 2 weeks ago happily driving along when my daughter opened a rear window and there was a change of air pressure and a loud noise just as if you were driving on the rumble strip! I have been told that this is normal due to the air circulation and that these cars are not supposed to be driven with the windows open ( certainly not the rears anyway) True or not true ?? I thought it was a bearing or driveline problem. Since I've been back it has developed a vibration at lower speeds ( from about 30mph) which can sometimes be felt through the accelerator or drivers seat and sometimes a groaning noise can be heard (from the rear) ? I have no vibration when standing with it in D or R. The local independent LR garage has driven it( but not far) and had it up on the ramp . The front diff/ prop has been modified , also the rad was changed at 69k. One morning the dash came up with the " Trans Failsafe Prog" as i pulled up in my drive but no faults/codes recorded when checked at LR. All tyres are Goodyear Wranglers, fronts good but rears (N/S on limit, to be changed tomorrow as its going into LR for rear suspension bushes and a good check underneath and hopefully a long road test. Sorry if my post is long winded but I have been reading on the forums and wanted to give as much detail as possible. It would be nice if someone has an idea what it could be( even though its going to LR tomorrow) and I have to go to Belgium again next weekend( hire car if necessary). Whatever the problem I will spend whatever I have to because I love the car Thanks all.

I have a 2002 4.4 with 113k on it so please let us know how how you get on at the garage, I may be going there myself in 1000 miles time!

PhillH

Well , I've just got back from my local Independent garage . I've had 2 new rear tyres, rear upper suspension bushes changed, handbrake adjusted, it's been up on the ramp for a good check underneath and been for another road test. Up on the ramp, everything is good, no problems but the mechanic said he couldn't feel any vibration and yet when I was driving home I could hear the groaning which seems to come from the rear and the vibration at about 30mph which is felt through the drivers seat ! What to do now ? Well I'm going back tomorrow and not leaving until someone comes for another test drive with me. I'm disappointed to say the least.

Well, after the disappointment of my local Independent LR garage not finding my noise/vibration problem I decided to risk taking the car to Belgium for my sons wedding ! Im here, safe and sound but not without a stressful journey! Today, I went to the local LR dealer in Tournai and the head technician came with me for a test drive. He heard the noise straight away and felt the vibration too! To him it is not a driveshaft but he is more or less certain that its a gearbox problem! To be honest I had a feeling this would be the problem. So, Im open to suggestions from the more experienced of you to what the best thing for me to do is . Im thinking of going the reconditined box route. I will also get another garage to test drive the car when I get back so that I have a 2nd opinion. I just hope the journey back will be less stressful

get a recon one from ashcrofts and get them to fit it too, then you have all the comback and there experience!!

You said your Range Rover is a 4.4 so I assume it’s an early L322 with the ZF 5HP24 transmission and not a P38 with the 4-speed ‘box? I don’t think that Ashcroft’s recondition the 5-speed transmissions for the L322?

I’ve rebuilt lots of these transmissions (just as a hobby) but I’m afraid I don’t recognise the symptoms that you’re describing.

If it isn’t your transmission causing the problem you’re looking at a bill of around £2000 to replace it and find out.

As an alternative, if you can get the transmission out of the car & shipped up to me in sunny Lancashire, I could strip, clean, check & rebuild your transmission for the cost of the parts (just under £550) which includes a re-manufactured torque converter (£220), overhaul kit (£149), rear seal – not in the kit (£9), B-clutch hub to C-clutch drum bearing – always failing in the L322 5HP24 (£8), 10 litres of Mobil LT71141 fluid (£120) & a new filter (£29). I source all parts from an official ZF parts distributor. Any other parts required I would ask you to pay for at cost.

Even then, if it turns out not to be a transmission fault, it will still have cost you £550 + shipping (2 x £50) + whatever you’re charged to remove & replace the transmission in your Range Rover i.e. close to a grand.

fett........ thanks for the advice . I will be taking all into consideration before I make a decision on what to do.

Bemble......thanks for your advice and for your incredible offer. To be honest I will most likely take you up on your offer if I am assured that the box is at fault ! I might even get my transmission up to you anyway because then I know I will have a next to new box under my RR . Should not be a problem for the transport as Im a HGV trunk driver for Palletways overnight pallet delivery service. I am wondering though , what else could be the problem ? Differential, Transfer box or drive/propshaft ? I will let you know as soon as I do when I get my 2nd or 3rd opinion.All and any advice is much appreciated. Thanks all.

thats a great offer!!!!