bob neville wrote:

Hi Martin

The 2.4 and 2.2's are different in the gear changing area due to the rev hold on the 2.2 to harmonise the change.

First thing, when changing gear do the normal thing of foot off the accelerator and depress the clutch, don't hold the throttle down !

Secondly try going to higher revs in each gear, 2500 is a good place to start. When you press the clutch down you will notice the revs hang despite removing your foot from the throttle. After a few seconds you will see them start to drop. On my vehicle I tend to push 2800 revs drop the clutch, put into the next gear and wait for the revs to reach about 2000 and then release the clutch.

As all the vehicles are different you will have to try to find the correct revs with a bit of trial and error.

It sounds complicated but once you have mastered the technique the changes become very smooth.

After 40 years of driving manual vehicles it took me a few weeks to master the 2.2 gear change but well worth it in the end

I should add that once you are confident with the rev hang you can actually change up through the gears without applying throttle when releasing the clutch and there is not jerkiness or kangarooing - well you can in mine !

Bob

Miserableolgit wrote:

As Blackwolf says they are all different* out of the factory but there's generally a knack to getting the best out of the 2.2 gear change, it's still early days so personally I'd stick with it and try adapting your driving style as the vehicle does not have a particularly modern transmission and still has it's inherited quirks.

*Caterham old chap, the well known 2.2 rev hang feature requires quite a different input from the pilot as compared to the 2.4

TDCi Guy wrote:

Hi Martin, the gear change takes some getting used to if you aren't used to driving one. I was the same when I first got mine, now (the majority!) of my gear changes are silky smooth.

On a different note, are you from Leigh Lancs? If so I'll keep an eye out for you, it's not a big place.

blackwolf wrote:

Martin M wrote:

Also think that maybe driving it too gently as I am short shifting at just under 2000 rpm think it needs a bit more pedal going to try tonight but it feels like slack in the gear train so when I change up the van feels like it bouncing forward and backwards

Excessive slop and backlash in the driveline is another well-known Puma problem. There are many places in the driveline where slop can develop, but the halfshafts and drive flanges are notorious. If you park on a level hard surface and apply the handbrake, see how far you can push the vehicle back and forth, and listen for clunks and noises from the hubs and axles. The transfer box, the clutch, and to an extent the infamous output adaptor shaft can all also contribute to this, so after the first test, put the car in gear (with the engine stopped), release the handbrake, and then see how far you can pucj it back and forth.

Some movement is to be expected, but it shouldn't be much. A vehicle as new as yours should be fine, but there have been some which are not well assembled, and there have been case of accelerated wear, so it is worth a check.

You can be gentle with a Defender too - you don't have to drive it as though you're wearing wellies!