full service.

After pressure washing a couple of buckets of cow **** from the new to me 300tdi, a full service was the order of the day. I just thought I'd share the pleasures of opening the drain plug on a r380.I don't think its ever been changed and felt like the nut had been done up with a windy gun. Of course didn't have a 32mm spanner and the adjustable spanner kept slipping. Just got a socket on by hammering it past the prop uj. Scaffold tube on the end cracked it. After I managed the get the socket back off I found that the good and the great at lr had put the cross member right under the drain. Anyway all done now.

Yep, that cross member is in a cracking place isn't it.

How the designers must have laughed.

Some ali foil can help direct the flow, but to be honest I've yet to find the 'completely splash proof' solution

You did well to hammer a socket on - not a lot of hammer swinging clearance. The first fluids change for me I drove to Halfords and bought a 32mm ring spanner whilst the engine and diffs drained

Was going. to take the prop off at one stage but couldn't budge those nuts. 32mm spanner now on the shopping list. Also cleaned out the axle breathers, solid.

If you've not got on, prop shaft tool a good investment together with a 9/16th spanner

LAND ROVER DEFENDER NEW SPECIAL PROPSHAFT NUT & BOLT TOOL 1/2" SQUARE DRIVE | eBay

hahaha that brings back memories of a few years ago when I first changed mine. thought I was doing something wrong cos no way would anyone design a car with a crossmember right underneath a drain plug

OxonLandy said:

hahaha that brings back memories of a few years ago when I first changed mine. thought I was doing something wrong cos no way would anyone design a car with a crossmember right underneath a drain plug

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"Character" ...misnomer for dimwittery in design ..

OxonLandy said:

hahaha that brings back memories of a few years ago when I first changed mine. thought I was doing something wrong cos no way would anyone design a car with a crossmember right underneath a drain plug

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I did wonder at first if this was the drain plug. Bloody great thing, bigger than any other I'd seen.should come off easier next time.

Well, at least you had the kind of drain plug with an external hexagon to get a grip on. Mine has a recessed plug whose recess might have been square a long time ago but has long since worn away. I changed the oil with one of those suction things you use for boat engines. One day, if I need to have the gearbox apart for some other reason, I shall drill it out, but until then I shall have to use my boat sucker.

I found a good way when I did mine last, a roller tray for a 4" roller wedges in nicely, and diverts it down into the bucket, no atf shower for me this time

timtheenchanteruk said:

I found a good way when I did mine last, a roller tray for a 4" roller wedges in nicely, and diverts it down into the bucket, no atf shower for me this time

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now that idea i like,i got atf everywhere