4WD Low Problems

Hello All,

I test drove an 1989 Defender 90 on the weekend. The LR overall seems to be in good original condition. Having owned one many years ago, I know they are not easy to get into 4WD low. The one I test drove eventfully went in 4WD low, but after 2 feet driving, it would jump out of the low position.
Any thoughts, ideas, costs?

Ta,
Pete.

First off fenders are 4WD all the time. Not just in low.

You often have to double declutch to get them into low, double check the low stick is actually seating in the low position.

Could just be the linkage needs lubricating and/or the lever wasn't fully engaged.

Thanks for the swift replies! I will be buying it today!

Do you mean into diff lock?

Cheers

PeteHM3 said:

Thanks for the swift replies! I will be buying it today!

Click to expand...

Welcome to the club.

Regarding it jumping out of low it can do this if the linkages are stiff and don't actually allow the transfer box to fully engage - so after a few meters it jumps out. The transfer box linkages can be very stiff and unwilling if little used. It can however also mean the box is worn but more often than not it is linkage related because it never gets used.

Regarding the transfer box you have 4 positions, high / high-difflock low / low-difflock - what way did you try and move it to test the box? It should be in the back right position for normal road driving, pushing it forward will engage low gearing, pushing it to the left of that would give you low with difflock and pull back would give you high with difflock. Only deploy difflock on low traction surfaces where traction is fairly likely to be lost - most of the time and that includes snow and moderate mud you will not actually need difflock. Diff can be engaged and un-engaged while moving, i.e. going along a lane and you see a big muddy trench full of water and mud you must cross, rather than stop, as you approach push the lever to the left drive through the area and when clear pull the lever back to the right. I would tend only to do it at lowish speeds for the benefit of my transfer box.

When you get a chance get under the Landy with a torch, GT85 or similar and a small prybar or screwdriver and have someone sit in the cab. Have them move the transfer box selector and watch the linkages, help them on the way with a shove or a gentle nudge with the prybar and a skoosh all the linkages and pivot points with GT85 to de-gum it all. Keep doing this until it would appear the person in the cab is able to select all positions with relative ease. Then take it for a drive and test them out - you can test difflock in a gravel car park or slightly slippery field just to make sure you can engage it. Nothing worse than needing to use it only to find it won't go into low or diff!