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) household my practical skills are pretty thin on the ground.. I wondered if there were any courses, resources etc that a new defender owner could be using to learn more? I have spoken with my local specialist and he says if I keep nagging him he will go through some things with me, but until then I’d like to make a start on my own.
| Co1 Member Since: 19 Aug 2018 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 3681   
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The easiest thing to begin with is to start doing the fluid servicing yourself. It’s pretty straight forward but satisfying to know that you don’t need to rely on anyone else. Oils and filter changes can all be done with very little tooling and the Haynes manuals are generally pretty good for this level of stuff. Get stuck in!
Bodywork however is certainly a mix of skill and art form. I’d say it was pretty advanced level stuff. |
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8th Apr 2021 5:10am |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3422  
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My input on diy body work maintenance:
1. I would leave dings and dents on the bodywork. It is part of the Landrover character. Every mark has a story to tell. 2. Rust and corrosion are the #1 issue on Defender (in my opinion). It is also the most expensive to fix (perhaps apart an engine replacement). As important is what you do not see. For your case, I say bulkhead needs 1st attention, before rust creeps deeper. The problem with bodywork is that generally you have to make it look worse, example you have to sand a larger surface area than the directly affected zone. It could be overwhelming if it is tour first job and you do not have guidance. But can still do spot repairs. I like to use chemical rust remover (NOT CONVERTERS). Rust removers can remove rust from the pits. Then treat with etch primer, and final coat. For very small areas, perhaps a little brush will do. Going with rattle can improve the finish, but again need to widen the area. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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8th Apr 2021 5:45am |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3643 
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regards maintenance
start by stripping down and rebuilding a push bike work up first fully servicing and then stripping down something like a petrol lawn mower then as others have said a full service on the landy is basic and rewarding not only because you save a lot of money but also because you know it has actually been done. be cautious using utube guides they are not all done by people who actually know how to do it correctly, a good manual followed carefully is a great investment. in terms of tools Halfords do a good guaranteed for life range that will cover most of the normal issues you will face and tools make great things to put on your birthday and christmas present list. Re rust and corrosion you can stall it somewhat with ACF50 (or corrosion block) until you feel ready to get it done DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS, I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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8th Apr 2021 5:53am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello TXH90
Well you are now driving a good vehicle to learn on... The Defender (Series, TDI, TD5, Puma's) haven't gone down the 'look don't touch' route of other car manufactures who have made their vehicles progressively more difficult to engage with. The Defender is also good as a DIY vehicle as there is often more room to manoeuvre when tackling most jobs. Depending on how your brain works... if like most we learn by doing, find yourself a 'DIY buddy' and shadow them undertaking a service for example on a Defender. It will be the best 1/2 day you'll spend, if this is what you want to be able to do on yours. Stripping down a bicycle to its last component, applying the correct lubricants and reassembling it... is excellent advice 
The bicycle is probably the perfect example of a totally exposed collection of mechanical arrangements... Good Luck  Click image to enlarge SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html Last edited by X4SKP on 8th Apr 2021 12:46pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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8th Apr 2021 8:18am |
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| jeffersj Member Since: 23 Jan 2015 Location: Near Preston Posts: 431 
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Consider joining a Land Rover group in the area, like this forum they are a mine of information and full of helpful fellow enthusiasts. Do not try to fix everything at once, take your time. Jeff
Ex 1968 Series 2A Ex 90 TD5 Ex D3 Ex D4 |
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8th Apr 2021 10:45am |
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| wyvern Member Since: 13 Dec 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2117 
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‘’ Landrover - Teaching owners to be mechanics for over 70yrs’'
You have the right vehicle to teach you how to fix things ! the site here is a gold mine of information and advice wo you are mostly there ! Good tool kit and lots of practice is want you need now. What I have done in the past was when you have to take your landrover in for a service, ask to be shown what is done and how, then ask lots of questions - its your vehicle after all ! Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126 |
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8th Apr 2021 11:37am |
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| Ianh Member Since: 17 Sep 2018 Location: Essex Posts: 2031
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Finding a local buddy on here to show you the ropes when they do a service and finding a local group to do the same is good advice from other posters. Another way to learn is to offer your services free on a Saturday morning to a local indi, based on them teaching you some of the basics while you help out in the garage.
Edit. Corrected my spelling as original poster is a Teacher  Last edited by Ianh on 8th Apr 2021 5:44pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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8th Apr 2021 12:16pm |
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| Pilgrimmick Member Since: 16 Nov 2015 Location: Highlands Posts: 582
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Some excellent comments already.
Basic tool kit Spanners 8mm -19mm 3/8 socket set, same sizes. Electrical multimeter Set of screwdrivers flat and cross point. 8” adjustable wrench Pair pliers Pair mole grips Pair of wire snips/cutters Electrical tape Wd40 That will get most simple jobs done, then buy quality tools as you progress and need more. Haynes manuals and YouTube are your friends, although with the latter you will watch five videos before finding the one you understand. Before you start anything, make sure you can cope with the task, or can cope without the job being finished until you can get help/parts etc. I basically did the above and am now a maritime chief engineer, so cannot be too bad a route to the goal. 80" 1948 Lightweight V8 Bowler Tomcat 130 Station wagon 90 300tdi (Santana PS10 pick up) Range Rover L322 (Ful fat) |
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8th Apr 2021 12:42pm |
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| TXH90 Member Since: 19 Jul 2020 Location: Worcs. Posts: 54 
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Thanks all for taking the time to give loads of great advice and ideas. I like the idea of a buddy/mentor system- I think I will ask the garage if I can see some of the work they do next time Indie (90) is in... I teach (for my sins) so have a chunk of time off in the summer and might broach helping around the garage to pick up some more skills- I think that sounds like an awesome idea if they go for it. Also, my bike is in need of a service so I will take your advice to heart and strip it down too. As for the 90 the only thing I trust myself with right now is the ACF50 and perhaps repainting the chequer rails/side plate and rear-cross member in hammerite after wire brushing the surface rust off. I will see what else I can pick up along the way.
Ta very much all |
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8th Apr 2021 2:05pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295
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8th Apr 2021 2:17pm |
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| kenzle8a Member Since: 12 Feb 2020 Location: None Posts: 1074 
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I learnt by following one of the farm mechanics round for a summer. I'm still an idiot but one with a fair collection of tools.
Car ownership in general has taught me the following. Impact guns, mapp gas, angle grinder, hammer(s). If your tool kit doesn't have them, your not going to get very far. WD40 is also the single most useless substance I've ever come across. Seafoam Deep Creep, Wurth Sebasto 2040 or Wurth Nut freeze are all far better products. the Wurth stuff being my personal preference. Also brake cleaner, you can never have enough brake cleaner. Tool wise I like the Halfords stuff, I've given most of mine an utter beating over the years and they have held up, the mechanism in ratchet only gave up last week after 10 years of use. I also try and find used Beta or Elora stuff on eBay and its so good and often cheaper than the Snap On stuff but imo just as good. We used to have a fair stash of Elora stuff on the farm and it lasted decades of abuse before it got nicked out the shed. |
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8th Apr 2021 2:46pm |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2644  
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Also ......when you have that one particular nut that won’t come off, learn some new fruity language, learn to throw a spanner without hitting anything that’s going to get you into trouble, go indoors for a sandwich and cup of tea, then I guarantee it will fall off..........
Having a good sense of humour is invaluable. Hopefully when this Covid thing has gone, join a local club as local hands on help is invaluable. For looooooong distance help check out Britannica Restorations on You Tube. Can’t go wrong with the world famous Yorkshireman in Canada.. |
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8th Apr 2021 3:45pm |
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| Smyles_ Member Since: 25 Aug 2018 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 517 
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I'm a relatively young defender owner with it being my second car and had little knowledge of vehicle maintenance and modification with my old man having little interest in the subject despite being a retired engineer and having raced cars when he was younger.
Like people have suggested here, having somebody with you that has some knowledge of what they are doing - even if it isn't defender specific knowledge - is a good way to start and build confidence whilst avoiding creating a potential death trap. My biggest resource is YouTube. You can see how something is done in real time - far better than just reading passages of text. As for tools, I treated myself and bought a bunch of Halford Advanced tool trays and roller toolbox the week I bought my 110. They often do large discounts and bundles on the stuff which in my opinion make for phenomenal value for money (tool snobs not apply )! Also, flex-head ratchet spanners  GET SOME! Saved my bacon many a time.
Breaker bar and torque wrench are must have initial tools for me, with the latter being bloody important too no matter how well calibrated you think your elbow is. Don't want any critical bolts to fall out whilst driving on a motorway... I still haven't gotten myself a dugga dugga gun and frankly rather enjoy doing things by hand permitting it's not time critical. My standard brushless Makita drill with respectable levels of torque can help me out in a pinch with loose fasteners once you pop an adaptor in to accept 1/2" sockets. A jack and some axle stands are also nice to haves, permitting you have place to store them. Big jacks are flipping heavy. You don't want to be picking them up. Most other tools that aren't your basic sockets, spanners, pliers, multimeter, and the likes I just purchase as and when needed. Most of the time they pay for themselves in their first use. I think the most important thing though, as cringe as it may sound, is to just believe in yourself and don't be afraid to undertake jobs - you will learn from mistakes. Plus, there's no shame in going to a garage if you completely balls something up I kept pushing myself (and inadvertently my parents patience too with my many late nights on the driveway  ) and within a year I was replacing wheel bearings which, for some reason I had this preconceived notion it'd require some expert level shiz - it really didn't!
Learning all this will help you in becoming an expert roadside mechanic too 
Apologies if I've repeated what may be been already stated. Started writing this reply in the morning... Stuart
Cummins 130 Build Thread 58 130 Double Cab HCPU - Cairns Blue 04 110 Double Cab - Black (gone) 07 Audi RS4 Avant - Silver |
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8th Apr 2021 4:07pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295
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And if you need an incentive beyond acquiring some mechanical skills...
just remind yourself occasionally that your avoiding: Click image to enlarge SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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8th Apr 2021 4:34pm |
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