Is the gearbox normal?

[Kingy1]

I have just taken delivery of my 300TDi Discovery. I am really impressed with it and with the dealer who sold it. All issues I had identified, were rectified. I do have a few queries that I would like help with. Hopefully, they are normal. When changing from first to second gear, it has to be changed slowly (unlike a car), otherwise it grates slightly. This sometimes occurs when I change slowly as well. Is this normal? I do seem to recall this happening in a defender years ago.

When I come to a junction, and either coast to the end (out of gear), or simply disenage the clutch, as the discovery is about to become stationary, there is slight vibration from underneath as though the propshaft is still engaged. Again, is this normal. Furrther, if I crawl along in first, again vibration appears to occur, as though it is juddering. Normal?

Finally, on the rear tailgate windown, the rubber on two of the corners is split. Will rain be able to get through and drop down into the door? If so, where could I go to get the rubber exchanged?

[thebiglad]

I have just taken delivery of my 300TDi Discovery. I am really impressed with it and with the dealer who sold it. All issues I had identified, were rectified. I do have a few queries that I would like help with. Hopefully, they are normal. When changing from first to second gear, it has to be changed slowly (unlike a car), otherwise it grates slightly. This sometimes occurs when I change slowly as well. Is this normal? I do seem to recall this happening in a defender years ago.

When I come to a junction, and either coast to the end (out of gear), or simply disenage the clutch, as the discovery is about to become stationary, there is slight vibration from underneath as though the propshaft is still engaged. Again, is this normal. Furrther, if I crawl along in first, again vibration appears to occur, as though it is juddering. Normal?

Finally, on the rear tailgate windown, the rubber on two of the corners is split. Will rain be able to get through and drop down into the door? If so, where could I go to get the rubber exchanged?


Hi Kingy and welcome to the Disco doom room !!!! I'll try to respond to yours questions:

1. Crunching on first to second and vice versa is quite normal but can often be reduced by an oil change with good quality oil. I would reccomend EVO1 from Difflock - not cheap but good. Cured our problems.

2. Sounds to me like your handbrake drum is a bit over-tight. To test for this, as you slowing to a halt put your hand on the handbrake and see if you can feel the vibrations. Also, slightly apply the handbrake and see what effect that has. Does the handbrake have only a short travel before it's pulling on?

If it's what I think it is it just needs backing off a couple of notches on the brake drum itself.

3. The same advice applies to all the window seals, either, replace them with new, or, get hold of some black gutter mastic from the likes of B&Q and inject that into the gaps that tape over and leave to dry. Once dried, remove the tape and you'll be surprised how good the repair is - almost invisible when done right.

Hope that helps, enjoy your new motor, don't forget to give it a full service - all fluids all filters - then you'll have a baseline to work from.


Cheers
Dave

[Kingy1]

Cheers Dave

Discovery has just had a full service. I would say you are probably right about the handbrake. It does make sense. As long as the crunching is normal, I don;t mind. I will change the oil in the near future. I will try the mastic.

[thebiglad]

Cheers Dave

Discovery has just had a full service. I would say you are probably right about the handbrake. It does make sense. As long as the crunching is normal, I don;t mind. I will change the oil in the near future. I will try the mastic.


If it IS the brake drum that is too tight I would NOT leave it like that. It will create drag which will reduce performance and mpg and potentially create heat, which in theory could be dangerous.

To adjust it off is literally a 10 minute job.

[Kingy1]

I haven'y had chance to get a manual yet. Is the handbrake drum easy to adjst?If so, how do I do it?

[thebiglad]

I haven'y had chance to get a manual yet. Is the handbrake drum easy to adjst?If so, how do I do it?


I've just scanned the appropriate page from the Haynes manual, hope that helps.

It's too big a file size for the forum - let me have an e-mail address and I'll send it to you.

Cheers
Dave

[Kingy1]

Success! Vibration was down to the handbrake drum being too tight (as identified by Dave). Loosened off the nut and all is fine now.