"Austin Shackles" <austinNOSPAM@ddol-las.net> wrote in message
news:vb7f21tfqd7l1pmk5s0rdqbuemdupdgelg@4ax.com...
> On or around Thu, 3 Mar 2005 22:36:56 -0000, "k"
> <poseidon999@madasafish.com> enlightened us thusly:
>
> >Thanks guys - a near unanimous view that the late 300TDi is preferred to
the
> >early TD5 . Also interested to see the comments that a 300TDi is not
> >considered high mileage at 100K - - I suppose my concern is more with the
> >durability of the transmission at that mileage rather than the engine. My
> >g/box is reasonably smooth and has clean oil and no obvious wear or oil
> >leaks, but these horror stories of terminal gearbox failure/seizure on
> >Discos at around 100k miles make me very nervous.....Keith
>
> auto or manual?
>
> if manual, what year?
>
> If an early R380 (pre about 97, but don't quote me), has it got the
> cross-drilled gear?
>
>
> anyroadup, you're looking at summat around 800 notes for a recon box, new
> T-box gear and fitting. Or that's what I've just paid for an LT77 anyway.
> Recon had a new ouput shaft for definite, also a new nylon bush on the
> selector shaft and what looked like a new input shaft. I didn't
investigate
> further.
>
> fitted new cross-drilled gear, and it's back on the road. T-box whines
just
> the same as before, 5th gear is slightly noisy as is the main box when in
> neutral, but it all goes properly. There's still a bit of clunk on
changing
> gear, but there's quite a bit of play in the front end, which might be CV
> joints.
>
> --
> Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
> If all be true that I do think, There are five reasons we should drink;
> Good wine, a friend, or being dry, Or lest we should be by and by;
> Or any other reason why. - Henry Aldrich (1647 - 1710)
Thanks for these further points Austin... Yes, it's a manual, in a November
96 (NReg) Disco. I'm afraid I don't know whether the infamous cross drilled
layshaft has been modded into the box since it was built or even if its
already 'in theclear' on that assembly date. I asked my local garage (now
not bothering about the main LandRover dealership servicing, since it's
passed it's 100K) to check the box carefully for any signs of wear or
potential problems during the 100K service and MOT prep. They advised that
the oil was clean, pink and clear and no leaks present, and no unusual
noises or odd behaviour, so they just screwed the filler cap back on and
concluded the oil didn't even need changing.
At £800 for a recon box/transfer and fitting it's probably not terminal, but
just seriously painful, so if it did fail dramatically, I'd be able to cover
the repairs (if I didn't eat or drink for a couple of months!). Like yours,
mine also clunks on gear change both ways between 1st and 2nd occasionally,
when I rush the change, but no whines or vibration (yet). I suspect that
it's more to do with prop/transmission wear than anything in the main box.
Presumably these gearbox failures don't just suddenly arise without any
warning and there will be some preliminary symptoms and noises before the
'big bang'? I'm pretty careful and considerate when driving the 'old dog',
both on tar and occasional off road/rough tracks and light towing etc. So
far it was the best £4K I spent, nearly a year and 9K miles ago and
certainly no regrets
It's really strange how much of a kick I get driving this old Disco compared
to any other cars I've had over the past years. Had an S1 80" for several
years back in the early 70's and enjoyed that too, but this disco has such a
solid feel to it and its safe, comfortable and reasonably economic too at
just over 30 mpg. Only worries on the immediate horizon are the corrosion on
the front inside wings and the need to get underneath with a steam cleaner
and do a waxoyl job on the chassis etc
Keith
