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Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Should I remove the MT82 gearbox on my driveway…? [Updated
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bitcoin



Member Since: 21 Mar 2024
Location: UK
Posts: 10

 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Epsom Green
Should I remove the MT82 gearbox on my driveway…? [Updated
Hi all,

My 2009 90” (~95k miles) has some reasonable backlash when changing gears as well as a slight rattle when in neutral and clutch up.

I’m thinking the likely solutions are a new single piece output shaft and new clutch setup (with new salve bearing etc etc (probably from Lof)).

I’m pretty technically minded and have done lots of diy mechanics on my cars over the years and I have a pretty good set of tools and so forth.
I have comfortably rebuilt several engine heads, suspension setups etc etc But… I have never removed & replaced a gearbox.

Whilst I have a flat driveway, simple ramps, axle stands and a simple trolley jack - I don’t have any specialised trolley jack adaptor plates or engine cranes.

So… my question is: Am I being silly in thinking I might be able to remove the transfer box and then the gearbox on my own? (I could find a friend to help add some dropping/lifting muscle if needed).

Once everything is out I’m pretty confident I would be able to replace the output shaft and clutch without issue.

My main concern is getting everything unbolted cleanly, removing everything without dropping it on the floor/myself, and then getting the bell housing reconnected and everything lifted back up again.

I’d love to be able to do this - but keen to avoid biting off more than I can chew.

Any tips, tricks, words of encouragement/warning or previous stories would be much appreciated!

Thanks!


[Update]:
So the transfer box is out and I have removed the old (wobbly) output shaft.
Note to anyone else doing this: Make sure you have a 9/16th spanner or prop shaft socket and preferably put the car on axle stands rather than wheel ramps so you can rotate the prop shaft for easier bolt access…
Im on wheel ramps and had to get a set of imperial spanners.

Tbox bolts weren’t too bad, just fiddly to get the right angles sometimes, especially the one pointing from front to rear behind the high low lever.

Rather than buy a slide hammer to get the old shaft out, I used a long M12 bolt and a large heavy socket (50mm maybe) to diy hammer it out.

Then borrowed a heavy duty impact gun from a garage down the road to get the big 30mm bolt off.

So far so good, just need to use pullers to remove the old female cup thing and then get to installing the new solid LOF before (somehow) lifting the tbox back up into place again.

TLDR;
Have a 9/16th spanner / socket
Some deep metric sockets and some half inch extenders/breaker bars
m12 bolt worked well to remove output shaft]

[Finished Update: All back together, reinstallation was much much easier and quicker than disassembly. I ended up bench pressing the transfer box off my chest up into place as it was otherwise impossible to lift it or roll it under on a trolley jack. Wasn’t too bad at all.

Make sure to clean the earths (both of them) and refit well.

All seems good!]


Last edited by bitcoin on 2nd Apr 2024 8:36pm. Edited 2 times in total
Post #1028888 21st Mar 2024 6:26pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20350

United Kingdom 
Incredibly heavy and dangerous, unless you have professional equipment.

Unless you are an engineer or professional in the trade, personally I’d recommend getting it done for you.

As I said it’s dangerously heavy, and the risk of damage to it and you, the latter being most important is high.

The biggest factor is, it’s unwieldy and the weight, even split both are extremely heavy. $W33T $0U7H3RN $UG4R
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Post #1028892 21st Mar 2024 6:33pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17372

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
No problem at all on a hard flat surface, had mine out two or three times on my own now. Just be careful not to drop the transfer or gear boxes on any part of your anatomy!

Take the transfer box off the gearbox (don't attempt to remove the two boxes as a single unit). If you only have a trolley jack, make up a steel or wooden thing to level the bottom surface of the transfer box (a board with a block screwed to it will do) and get a helper to assist steadying the transfer box and the gearbox as they come out and go in. If you can beg, steal, borrow or buy a transmission jack of the trolley jack style you can do it safely on your own.

It is straightforward but slightly daunting the first time you do it, and I'd allow two days for the first time. You can do it in a day on your own the second and subsequent times.

A transmission jack is cheaper than the labour cost of getting someone else to do the job, and you get to keep it for the next time!


Last edited by blackwolf on 21st Mar 2024 7:02pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1028900 21st Mar 2024 7:00pm
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2642

Scotland 
People have been removing gearboxes from land rovers on their driveways for decades - perfectly doable if you’re sensible.

A stout piece of timber across the seats can be a helpful place to support it from above too. Getting it lined up going back in can be fun and two pairs of hands helps massively.
Post #1028901 21st Mar 2024 7:02pm
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1218

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
An alternative if you have them is remove the centre seat / cubby box. Two small ladders either side of the front doors strapped to the chassis and a bar or fence post between the two through the windows. Piece of rope over that tied out the back door to the tow bar makes life a lot easier.

Or split the two boxes and it's not quite a doddle but not far off. I wouldn't try both together without a jack underneath but the ladder trick works well. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #1028908 21st Mar 2024 7:27pm
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andy63



Member Since: 30 Jun 2023
Location: north east
Posts: 514

United Kingdom 
I've had my boxes out and in twice in the last 6 months..(don't ask😂)
I would fall in to the elderly category, so not the flexibility and strength of years gone by 😩
First time in a back lane and using a crane to remove the boxes together... But after realising how heavy and awkward they were they were installers separately..
The 2nd time I had the use of a large garage area and they were removed separately and likewise installed separately..
The 2nd time I'd bought myself a little transmission jack and modified it slightly.. (see pictures) But it proved to be very handy..
There is no doubt that a second pair of hands is handy.. Once you get to removal and replacement, not necessarily for the muscle but just lining up and running on bolts etc one above one below..
If you have a 2.2 with dpf you will most probably have to get the engine raised if you want your front pipe and dpf to clear the chassis to get it out..
Nothing particularly hard if all goes well, just a lot of bits to remove and replace..


Click image to enlarge



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Post #1028911 21st Mar 2024 7:57pm
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3414

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
I cannot comment on removing the gearbox, but for transfer box, removed and re installed two with just help of 2 extra hands to lower and lift up.
When I had to remove my transfer box, was single handed so made a bracket to go with my simple trolley jack such as the one on this site: https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defe...mount.html

I always remove the handbrake assembly before removing a transfer case. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1028940 22nd Mar 2024 12:11am
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andy63



Member Since: 30 Jun 2023
Location: north east
Posts: 514

United Kingdom 
A couple of other points which I've remembered that helped me..
Make up a couple of long pieces of studding.. M10 I think, or long bolts with their heads removed.. If they were used in the block it aids fitting the box when it's offered up.. About 8 to 10 inches long.
And removing the transfare box imput gears until it's in place can save a load hassle trying to line up the splines in the gears
Post #1028946 22nd Mar 2024 6:31am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17372

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Dinnu wrote:
... When I had to remove my transfer box, was single handed so made a bracket to go with my simple trolley jack such as the one on this site: https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defe...mount.html ...


There is a special tool for this, but since it's around £150 the home-made option is appealing. The tool is 100-045 SUPPORT BRACKET - TRANSFER BOX. This is the support I mentioned in my post above, and I've known people achieve the same result with wood.

Dinnu wrote:
... I always remove the handbrake assembly before removing a transfer case.


From what I remember you have no option, there is insufficient clearance (at least on a 110) between the transfer box and the crossmember behind it to leave the handbrake on. It only takes a few minutes to remove it anyway.

andy63 wrote:
... removing the transfer box input gears until it's in place can save a load hassle trying to line up the splines in the gears


Alternatively engage the CDL before fitting the t-box and turn either the rear or front output flange to align the splines, saving unnecessary dismantling.
Post #1028948 22nd Mar 2024 7:05am
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rusty_wingnut



Member Since: 24 Mar 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 104

Years gone by I used to rest the transfer on my chest, and bench lift it into position. Actually got quite good at it as well Laughing

Perfectly do-able as said
Post #1028955 22nd Mar 2024 8:08am
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1218

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
Wait until you have to work on industrial engines. I had to pull the JCB engine out - cylinder head weighs as much as a 300Tdi block. No possibility of removing the wings as they're 1" plate steel and the dressed engine is just tipping over half a tonne. After working on that Land Rover gearboxes and engines are play things.

We did cheat though and a neighbour brought around his telehandler and home made jib to go on the pallet forks. With the chain hoist off the jib even at a 5m reach it just had enough clearance to get the engine out of the engine-bay. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #1028963 22nd Mar 2024 10:00am
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TexasRover



Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1051

France 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White
Its all about preparation, having a plan that makes sense and includes correct tools and a clear risk assessment because as is said already, it is heavy and you working in a restricted space. It would hurt if it falls on your face.

If you are not comfortable doing it, don't do it, but IT IS perfectly feasible to do this on your driveway and many people do.

Personally I don't like to concede that easily. Sure you can have everything in life done by others but often you find that 'the professional' are not all that special and racing against a clock ($) they make mistakes or take shortcuts which are detrimental in the long term. For that reason I rather do it myself and I like doing it.
Post #1028972 22nd Mar 2024 11:54am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8025

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Yes. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1028977 22nd Mar 2024 1:07pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20350

United Kingdom 
Just expect the unexpected in case anything, fails, breaks or snaps or slips, and you should be okay.

Sadly, it depends a lot on the individual as to who does the “professional” works.
If they have little interest or a bad day, then a good job isn’t always done.
In some areas of the country it’s difficult to get decent works done at all. $W33T $0U7H3RN $UG4R
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Post #1028980 22nd Mar 2024 2:02pm
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 460

Wales 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
Perfectly doable if you're carefull!
Post #1028981 22nd Mar 2024 2:12pm
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