02 Defender TD5 90 - Hard to engage gear when cold?

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bankz5152

bankz5152

Well-Known Member
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Location
South London/North Kent
Hey chaps,

Noticed something slightly odd recently, when cold its very hard to engage gear got to properly wiggle around for some time and the clutch biting point seems low. Though after driving for a couple minutes all is free and smooth clutch biting point back where it should be.

Any ideas?

All oils changed using semi synthetic Castrol in the Summer, no issues until a couple weeks ago. Clutch fluid level is fine
 
Last edited:
bankz5152 said:
Hey chaps,

Noticed something slightly odd recently, when cold its very hard to engage gear got to properly wiggle around for some time and the clutch biting point seems low. Though after driving for a couple minutes all is free and smooth clutch biting point back where it should be.

Any ideas?

All oils changed using semi synthetic Castrol in the Summer, no issues until a couple weeks ago. Clutch fluid level is fine
Click to expand...

which oil did you use in the g/box?
 
bankz5152 said:
Havnt yet no, though clutch, slave and master where all replaced last summer.

The pedal itself is wobbly and creaky put thats it really
Click to expand...

Doubt if its causing your problem, but you can change the little brass bushes in the pedal box. Just running some oil into them will probably make the pedal less squeaky ;)
 
How long ago was it that the clutch was last changed I wonder? Those R380s don't like changing gear if there's any drive going in through the input shaft at all. Most of the time this is good because it prevents you grinding the gears. In the London area I expect your clutch gets quite a lot of usage so it's going to wear out eventually.
 
Ive noticed that which i quite like :) Seems to have stopped now which is strange...

Yeah many stop starts but i stay well out of central london just too stressful.

Clutch was done last July by LR.
 
Issue was really bad this morning. Quite a nice day out but took a good 5 mins of giggling around to get it in gear.

Also tried putting it into low but that was very hard indeed. Finally managed it and had drive. Then tried to get it back into high was almost impossible. Took 10 mins trying to do it!
 
If you are on level ground then the next cold start try taking handbrake off, see if you can get it into first before you start engine, then foot on clutch and try starting. if it tries to creep forward then you have a dragging clutch, if it doesn't then probably baulk ring issue in g/box (if it has the correct oil + level) if the starting in gear solves the issue until it warns up the you could probably live with it until weather picks up or box dies completely!
 
cheers dude. I shall try. Baulk ring?

More of annoying than anything, ill check low again when its warm see if theres any difference.

Tx box oil is fine, right level right oil. Got to check the GB when im home
 
as the op said, have tried starting it in gear foot on clutch from cold yet....


my discos a bit like that in cold weather, all starts good, first is easy, but second and third you cant rush till its warmed up..

been like it for 3 or more years now - i got used to it....it is 23 years old after all,
and its no racing car either..
 
bankz5152 said:
cheers dude. I shall try. Baulk ring?

More of annoying than anything, ill check low again when its warm see if theres any difference.

Tx box oil is fine, right level right oil. Got to check the GB when im home
Click to expand...

It won't be a Tx box issue as that is always in gear (hi or low) it will be the main box that is causing the difficulty in engaging gear.

Baulk ring is part of the synchromesh and is a wear item. Unfortunately its a gearbox out and strip to replace
 
I think it is the baulk rings failing. Put it in gear - engine off - drove but did learch forward ever so slightly. After lots of buggering around it eventually goes into gear.

Question is how bad is this issue? Will the gearbox suddenly just die or will it be alright?
 
If it is the baulk rings / syncro it will probably just get worse rather than failing. How long that will take is hard to judge and will be down to what you will put up with.
 
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