1990 Range Rover teething problems

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chris_mack

chris_mack

New Member
Posts
962
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Hi everyone, picked the new rangie up today.

Seems to run ok and everything, main issues I noticed are:

gearbox seems a bit noisey when pulling off, theres a few funny noises but seems better when at cruising speed. Is there anything I can do about this ? Or is it just general wear?

We did a bit of light off roading this morning and the speedo started playing up. It stopped working, but then would come on again when I braked and then go down again when I hit the gas. Seemed to bounce around for about 5 mins like it had a mind of its own then started working fine again. We did go through some water, probably not quite to the top of the tyre but maybe some water sprayed around the engine a bit and wet something? Any Ideas?

Also the front end seems very loose and vague.. almost sways from left to right slightly even as I was driving in a straight line on the freeway. I was thinking either the shockers perhaps or the panhard rod might be not doing its job properly?

Cheers fellas!

Photos to follow as soon as I can get photobucket working again!
 
Can't help on gearbox noises - gearboxes scare me!!

Speedo jumping around not uncommon with the electronic head. The sender is attached to the chassis and can be temperamental, if it dies you will loose speedo, cruise control and your EFI warning light will come on - the speed sensor tells the injection system that idle stabilisation is not required as the vehicle is moving. Swap it out for another one, easy job. Also check the speedo cable.

Front end feeling vague, lots of possibilities on that one, check all the bushes, tyre pressures, wheel bearings, swivel bearings and your steering damper. Also have a look at the lower steering shaft universal joints and check the backlash on the steering box - that should cover it. Nearly forgot, check track rod ends, drag link and drop arm ball joint.
 
If its auto then the transfer box is normally the noisy bit but if its manual they both can be.

Just make sure they have oil in them and run em till they break and then replace em, at least that way you get some use out of them before you replace them.

Course you have got alot of other uj and cv joints under there and the diffs, all can make noise!
 
looks like its the shocks. but i just ordered 4 new steelie rims and put a deposit on 2nd hand 4 265/70 R 16 BF Goodrich A/T tyres, from a local tyre place. Tyres were are bargain at $55 a corner, fitted, and rims were $105 each.

Now my understanding is that with this size tyres I need to either cut the wheel arches or fit a lift kit? A lift is my favorite option cos I can guarantee I would make a mess of cutting the arches!

So I will probably look into prices for a complete set of springs and dampers, I fitted the rear springs and dampers on my old defender at my mates garage but then i went out to get some parts for him in his van and when I came back he had fitted the front !And the front is a bit harder, do you think I would be able to do it, I bought a $150 tool kit which has got the basics in it! or should i just take it to a local garage and get them to fit?
 
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Last edited:
Nice. Same Colour as mine.
With 265's you will probably need wheel spacers otherwise you'll catch the chassi . Also you WILL need a lift kit. over 2" more than likely.
 
well i went to a couple of local 4x4 specialists, one quoted $1480 for OME 2inch lift springs, shocks and castor correction bushes, and $1860 fitted.

The other was $1200 f0r parts or $1400 fitted, so Iv orderd it and going to get them to fit it, for the sake of $200!

So this time next week (hopefully ) il post some pics of the rangie with new suspension, rims and tyres!
 
another question...

the temp gauge seems to sit around 1/4-1/3 .... do you think it is running too cool? the heater still blows hot, but i would of expected the engine to run hotter..nearer the 1/2 way mark. i though maybe the stat is jammed open? then again, it is quite cool here at the moment, maybe when i running her in 40 degree heat itl be a different story! my 3.5 110, on carbs, sits bang on half way most of the time. but then that is running with the viscous removed and twin kenlowes in its place.

also, (and in stark contrast to what ive written above!) after a run i can here hissing coming from the expansion tank cap.. which is done up tight. cant see any bubbling or coolant escaping though. should this worry me?
 
When I first got mine a few weeks ago and brought it home up the motorway, the temperature was just below half way. Knocking around town after that, the guage was only just reaching a quarter - along with around 10 to the gallon! Changed out the thermostat and coolant and now the guage reaches just below half and the fuel consumption has decreased - to what though I still have to measure. I probably should also change out the sender too.
The hissing from the expansion tank is probably a knackered seal on the cap. Change the cap.
 
I am thinking the same that it should run cooler on petrol but temp gauge does read slightly higher. Although engine feels cooler on petrol. strange.


Oh, and Fett. At least mine goes further than the end of the driveway
 
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