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Wism

Member Since: 27 Jun 2016
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 21

2003 TD5 90 Defender 90 - gear issues

Hi all, i am new to the forum and a new proud owner of a 2003 TD5 90. I am really enjoying cruising around in my Landy and have had a couple of "Landy waves". I don't know if i am sitting with a major issue but i am finding that gear changing from 1st to 2nd is not smooth. With my foot down flat on the clutch changing into 2nd there is a little grind and 'klonk'. I am not even changing gears fast. I take it nice and slowly but going into 2nd is always the same. Changing down from 3rd to 2nd it appears to be fine. The other issue is reverse gear. It can be very tricky getting it out of reverse at times. The vehicle has done 80500 miles and i have purchased this vehicle from a dealer which came with a 6 month warranty. Is this issue a major problem? should i take it back to the dealer? any advice would be appreciated.

28th Jun 2016 4:14pm

RoddyK05

Member Since: 08 Apr 2015
Location: Inverclyde
Posts: 633

My 2004 90 is not slick between 1 & 2, but if I take the briefest pause in neutral on the way through then it's fine. I've heard people saying that a new clutch can work wonders on the gearbox 'slickness' but as mine changes ok and pulls well then it's not something I'm going to do on speculation. As for reverse, I've no idea. Does it feel as if it's stuck in reverse when you try to get it back out, or does it clunk on the way in? Check your clutch fluid reservoir for starters - it's the easiest thing to have a look at.

28th Jun 2016 8:38pm

miker

Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1764

I find that, especially when cold, I have to go through neutral to get a clean change. Much nicer when warm.

Check the level and colour of gearbox oil. Might be worth replacing.

Clutch could be in its way out.

For reference, mine (used hard by its previous owner) needed a new box at ~100,000 and again at 180,000.

28th Jun 2016 8:58pm

Wism

Member Since: 27 Jun 2016
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 21

Many thanks for the advice. I will be trying the brief neutral method. The reverse always seems to be stuck in reverse. Not much of a clunk. I will check the clutch reservoir and gearbox oil. I will keep you posted. Thanks again

28th Jun 2016 9:06pm

4RF RDS

Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 942

2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green

Wism... When it is in neutral, engine off, does it slide forward into third gear and back into forth easily without moving the shifter sideways? 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

28th Jun 2016 9:49pm

Wism

Member Since: 27 Jun 2016
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 21

4RF RDS - hi there. I have tried the 3rd to 4th as noted and it changes quite smoothly, no problem. What were you thinking the issue could be?

29th Jun 2016 5:39am

Riccarton

Member Since: 10 Aug 2015
Location: Gods' Own Country
Posts: 280

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Zambezi Silver

Have you checked to see if it goes in and out of reverse without "sticking" with the engine off? If it does then perhaps you have a clutch dragging issue which would also explain the 1st to 2nd problem.

If you've got a warranty I'd be taking it back to the dealer and asking them to sort it out - if they come out with the "they all do that sir!" rubbish tell them not to be so stupid - my TD5 didn't for one.

29th Jun 2016 5:57am

4RF RDS

Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 942

WIsm, often the centering spring on the shifter is too loose and makes for tight and difficult shifting. If that is OK then I'd change the gearbox oil first. New lube often helps a lot. Make sure you use MTL and not ATF. Also pausing in neutral for an instant before sliding into second gear (or any gear fir that matter) trends to help not crunch the gear. 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

29th Jun 2016 9:48am

Loz2286

Member Since: 31 Aug 2015
Location: High Wycombe
Posts: 121

My 2nd to 3rd change can bit a little crunchy too. Not sure if it's me beating the synchro or whether there's an issue. 1999 Td5 110 CSW
1961 Series 2 88 LPG

29th Jun 2016 10:23am

Wism

Member Since: 27 Jun 2016
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 21

Hi all, thanks for the reply. I have been driving today using the pause in neutral method and this makes a big difference, it's a lot smoother. I do it through all the gears now but I do still have the sticking issue when in reverse. It's fine selecting reverse but it can be a struggle getting out of it when the engine is running. When the engine is off changing through the gears is a breeze even in and out of reverse. I shall be changing the oil ans checking the Centering Spring and see if it makes a difference. Thank you all for the advice. Much appreciated.

29th Jun 2016 3:10pm

Tommo

Member Since: 19 Dec 2013
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 830

2006 Defender 90 Td5 Black LE Java Black

Landrover MTF 94 about £36 for 5 litres...best stuff.
BTW mine is the same between 1 to 2 gear, "they all do that sir"

29th Jun 2016 4:21pm

Wism

Member Since: 27 Jun 2016
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 21

thanks Tommo, I will be ordering some of that then.

29th Jun 2016 5:04pm

Piggle

Member Since: 24 May 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 81

2003 Defender 90 2.5 TD XS CSW Bonatti Grey

Yep me too clunky between 1-2, all others fine though. Noticably worse when the weather is cold...I just live with it.

29th Jun 2016 7:55pm

Screbble

Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2108

2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

As above - you get used to it.

Can't recommend Land Rover MTF94 highly enough. Makes the clunk less clunky!

30th Jun 2016 9:43pm

jcukus

Member Since: 29 Jun 2016
Location: South Coast
Posts: 3

Wism wrote:
4RF RDS - hi there. I have tried the 3rd to 4th as noted and it changes quite smoothly, no problem. What were you thinHi Wism,

I cannot send private messages not enough entries so hope this reply gets to you, brought my Series 111 land rover from this guy, he is now selling the same for me due to a shoulder injury and I need power steering. He is a Defender whizz having used them in the outback in Australia for many years and now sells the Series Defenders which he rust proofs before sale using acid to remove all rust then treating the underside and all parts before waxing, a method perfected when working on defenders used in Salt mines.

He is a really nice honest guy give him a call on 07783 685042, I have informed him I am passing on his details.

He lives just outside Chichester, well worth a call as he does not do this for a living, more for an interest now, his name is John Taylor,

Hope you are successful John Cking the issue could be?

7th Jul 2016 2:17pm

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