Serious Juddering Pulling away in First gear

Hi All,

I've just become the exceedingly proud owner of an 83 Series 3 SWB diesel (my first landrover). Bought it in Antrim and drove it home yesterday (120 miles to dublin). It was the best drive I've had in a long time (i commute all week for 3 hours a day)

Now, the bad bit. Towards the end of the journey as i was pulling away from junctions I'd get serious shudder in first gear. The front of the landrover was literally bouncing. However, once on the go gear changes were no bother and she cruised (use the term lightly here) at 55-60 mph. Changes down were no problem. The clutch was biting a good way up.

I could get her going by giving a few more revs than usual and careful clutch control. Also, at idle speeds the oil light was starting to come on (three miles from home). I've read a few threads here and i was wondering if this could be oil on the clutch plate leaking from the engine. There was a fair bit of fluid leaked from somewhere during the journey.

Any and all insights welcome.

I had similar issue with Series 111, assumed drive shaft/suspension because it only happened at low speed...........turned out to be a stuck brake shoe, at low speeds felt like the nearside front wheel was trying to come through the top of wing..................can you hear anything rubbing?

check the clutch master/slave and the fluid - had exactly the same on mine and assuming the worst bought a gearbox off ebay (ok only was a tenner) - turned out to be the clutch just needed bleeding

try the easy things first

Look at this

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f6/jumpy-clutch-44005.html

Thanks a million for the replies.

Can't hear anything rubbing - but will check the breaks anyway as it can't do any harm.

Will also check all the easy stuff - keeping my fingers crossed it is something simple. Don't really want a baptism of fire in landrover repairs!

It seems Gramor hit the nail on the head.

Got a friend to have a nosey and it seems the front left brake was binding big time.

Its getting sorted now. Thanks for the help.

My response to 'juddering pulling away in first gear' would be 'so pull away in second gear!'.

I did that accidentally on Saturday with a load of concrete mix and bricks in the back, and didn't actually notice until I tried to get into second...

BeeBoy said:

It seems Gramor hit the nail on the head.

Got a friend to have a nosey and it seems the front left brake was binding big time.

Its getting sorted now. Thanks for the help.

Click to expand...

Your welcome.

spacedman said:

My response to 'juddering pulling away in first gear' would be 'so pull away in second gear!'.

I did that accidentally on Saturday with a load of concrete mix and bricks in the back, and didn't actually notice until I tried to get into second...

Click to expand...

Baz, baz, baz...........what are we going to do to save you from yourself?

gramor said:

Baz, baz, baz...........what are we going to do to save you from yourself?

Click to expand...

If he keeps starting off in second with a ton of blocks on board, he'll be too busy saving up for a new clutch to be bothered about us trying to save him from himself!

I had the same problem, although a bit less extreme maybe. Got new engine mounting rubbers and that made the difference... so check them too...
the 'fluid' leaking... is that engine/gearbox oil or clutch-fluid?
If there's oil leaking from the bell-housing it's probably the rear crankshaft- seal thats gone...
The vehicle you bought, was is not used for a long period?

Harro

It had been standing for a few months before being prepared for an MOT. Then i bought it.

There seems to be a combination of different oils and leaks. I'm thinking that all the seals are perished.

Will definitely have a look at the engine mounts.