Disco 'dragging its feet'

[nslandy785]

I have a 3dr Commercial Disco which about six months ago had a reconditioned box fitted, due to the original having all the usual R380 problems (162,000 miles on the clock) and since it was fitted the vehicle seems to have gone backwards in terms of drivability.

Initially after the main gearbox was renewed I was assured the transfer gear/splines were in near perfect condition, implying the transfer box was also in good condition, and as such, apart from being seperated from the main gearbox, it was not touched.

When I picked the car up, rejoicing (ha ha), the gearchange seemed notchy but I just assumed this was because it needed to 'bed in'. Things got progressively worse until it dawned on me it was probably transmission wind up and low and behold with the back wheels jacked up and the transfer lever not pushed across it tried to pull itself off the jack when drive was engaged.

It's too much of a coincidence, to me, that when the box was swapped the centre diff permanently locked into place, although logically it makes no sense how or why it would have, given the transfer box was not dismantled.

So back to the garage who claimed to free the centre diff, via the inspection plate, with a pry bar and a colourful vocabulary. I duely picked it up and things seemed a lot better although the transfer box is now noticably noisier, especially when I get past about 45mph.

Now six months later it seems to be doing it again, although the diff engages/disengages, via the lever with no problem. It is most noticable after about 20 miles of motorway speeds (60-70) and feels like I've dropped an anchor out of the back and when slowing down the steering/gear change is chronically stiff. In addition to this it is alternating from 'wound up' to 'free' causing unpredictable acceleration/braking, etc.

Sorry about War & Peace, but I think all the items are related.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[bananahead]

strange... could be something simple like the really flimsy mechanism which engages/disengages difflock is bent/damaged or something? Only say that as they must have been poking around there somewhere. Just take it to the garage and ask them to sort the issue, and if they wont tell them youll take it elsewhere and send them the bill, as this is an issue which has arisen after their work.

[stevenA]

The diff lock activation mechanism is mounted on the R380, so to change the gearbox, they would have to have removed this - it is amazing how sensitive the adjustment is on this mechanism to get it working perfectly (I've just changed mine!).

So thats where I guess the problem started. If they then removed the inspection plate to free it - it being nowhere near the difflock splines on the front output housing - then who knows what they did!

I guess you are saying that the difflock is working because the dash light is following the lever?

Does the steering feel heavy at slow speeds?

[nslandy785]

Thanks for the advice, didn't realise the mech was that precise.

It does seem to work in as much as the light follows lever. Although, thinking about it, the dashboard light goes out almost instantaneously when the lever is shifted back, even with the vehicle stationery. It didn't, prior to being 'fixed'.

The steering/gearchange is fine on low speed town and country driving, it's only continual high speed that it doesn't like.

[budget4x4]

you should raise the vehicle along one side. not just lift rear or back .. try lifting just the drivers side then turn either raised wheal. the other should be able to be held by hand.