Ianh wrote:

Payney1000 , looks like the EU has issued a recall notice, instigated by France. Looks like you have made a significant difference

See link https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/sc...14?lang=en

Highlighted by supacat in this topic https://www.defender2.net/forum/post968887.html#968887

Wow, what a read...

blackwolf wrote:

One point which hasn't been discussed in the light of the EU Recall directive but which was raised in Payney1000's earlier post (post 69 in this thread) is that the axle was unacceptably weak and inadequate for a 4x4 of any kind to pass EWVTA even when friction welded, the basic axle was flawed by design even before the weld problem emerged. This is supported by evidence reported on the forum where vehicles outside the LR recall have suffered weld failure and split casings.

Payney1000 wrote:

* UPDATE*
Well its been a 6 months battle, I wish i had sum positive news but sadly not the case. The more i have dug deeper the more disturbing it get. So here is the current breakdown :
1, Insurance company has inspected the vehicle twice with 2 different engineers both reports come back catastrophic failure of the axle caused by incorrect welding, dirty weld practice and poor quality metal. The axle was x-rayed and was showing to have cracks all over the casing, This was also pointed out that the casing molding was not up to vehicle spec for the weight and the vehicle being a 4x4. The report says the casing levels was less than legally needed for a small trailer.
2. After a long fight with Landrover and a few emails to the CEO i got two landrover engineers sent from the UK to France to carry out a inspection. Both L/R engineers agreed with the Insurance engineers. But what i find out next is the disturbing point !!!!
3, Following quoted from one engineer !! The axles were made in India by the order of TATA due to a parts plant there needing more work or it would be closed down. If it was closed down TATA would have to pay to much money to the Indian government due to past cash injections in to the plant.
The axles went for friction welding to mig welding to reduce cost. Anyway after 6 months of the new axles coming form India Landrover were fully aware that their was a serious problem. Their was also two new defender at landrover offroad experience that had snapped axles with under 2000 miles on the vehicle.
Landrover then checked futher and found that they had a very big problem. The following re-call was made as we are all aware but !!!!!! these are the scary bits
1, Only 110 -130 were recalled even when the 90 was fitted with the same axle ( Their view the 90 was less weight so it could hold better )
2, Only 100 vehicles were re-called per 1000 produced ( that's 900 vehicles still with faulty axles per 1000 driving around ) This was to save cost as to replace all axles as advised by the DVSA safety branch was to costly plus the modification to all vehicles was also to costly.
3, Landrover after the re-call informed DVSA and other market vehicle safety dept EU etc that all vehicles had been modify or had replacement axles. ( They lied to the governments )

So me I am no further forward Landrover offered me the cost of my vehicle direct transfer to my bank if i sign a non disclosure agreement and say nothing to anyone !! Landrover are trying to brush this under the carpet. Plus a further person in the UK which as had the same in the past months has also been offered this by them. We have both declined as its extremely worrying and dirty business practices.

The lawyer will deal with it and the press now.

But on another point that was found out by the investigation !! We all underseal are vehicles and my vehicle was undersealed. It was found that the underseal stops the showing of cracks and due to its rubber feel it had also stopped any pre leak from the axle. ( So be very aware what is happening under the underseal on these welds as it may look ok but the crasks are hidden.

Sorry for the long post but that is were we are currently, I feel every owner has a right to know. Plus there as been in the last 3 years 34 accidents across Europe due to this axle problem. They are now starting to re-exam accident reports with defender crashing on motorways etc.

Incidentally I propose that in recognition of his achievements in getting this problem recognised by the wider world and the regulatory authorities, Payney1000 should be official awarded "Forum Legend" status!

Grenadier wrote:

Just received this recall, anyone else had it? Seems quite a serious one.

And (for CRC @ LR) can I have this done under warranty in France?


Click image to enlarge

Supacat wrote:

For clarity, are you referring to just the Tata/Indian made axles, or does "flawed by design" mean axles made elsewhere before and after the Tata/Indian made axles?

Payney1000 wrote:

...
3, Following quoted from one engineer !! The axles were made in India by the order of TATA due to a parts plant there needing more work or it would be closed down. If it was closed down TATA would have to pay to much money to the Indian government due to past cash injections in to the plant.
The axles went for friction welding to mig welding to reduce cost. Anyway after 6 months of the new axles coming form India Landrover were fully aware that their was a serious problem. Their was also two new defender at landrover offroad experience that had snapped axles with under 2000 miles on the vehicle.
Landrover then checked futher and found that they had a very big problem. ...