Defender 110 box gone stiff

Ive got a 2010 defender 130 puma . had a leak from transfer box and been topping it up. last week i noticed the gears had gone a little stiffer than normal. topped up transfer box but its definitely a lot stiffer. cant understand though why the transfer box would affect the stiffness of the gear selectors. what would you suggest.
Thanks
steveeasy

Have you checked the main gearbox oil level ?

steveeasy said:

Ive got a 2010 defender 130 puma . had a leak from transfer box and been topping it up. last week i noticed the gears had gone a little stiffer than normal. topped up transfer box but its definitely a lot stiffer. cant understand though why the transfer box would affect the stiffness of the gear selectors. what would you suggest.
Thanks
steveeasy

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Are you aware that on the puma transfer box the filler plug is not a level plug? It has to be filled with the correct measured volume of oil. Using the filler plug as a level plug might cause problems due to overfilling. Stiffness in gear selection might be a problem with the clutch (worn out?)

As above, have you checked the main gearbox oil? Where is your box leaking from?

Wimblowdriver said:

Are you aware that on the puma transfer box the filler plug is not a level plug? It has to be filled with the correct measured volume of oil. Using the filler plug as a level plug might cause problems due to overfilling. Stiffness in gear selection might be a problem with the clutch (worn out?)

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Nope. I understand the gearbox filler plug is not a level but did not know the transfer box was the same. ill check this.
Thanks
steveeasy

tottot said:

As above, have you checked the main gearbox oil? Where is your box leaking from?

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Its leaking from the top of the transfer box. not the gearbox. have a hydraulic pump fitted to transfer box and the vehicle is left running a lot. definatly not gearbox leaking but im going to check the level on this today. Drain then refil with the correct amount i believe 2.3 ltrs .

Steveeasy

Could hydraulic pump be leaking oil into the box?

ok drained both transfer box and gearbox. Gearbox had id think 5 ltrs of oil in it. as it drained it looked good to start with then looked something like fudge. clearly looked like it had air in it. ill refill both with the correct5 levels.

At present the high low lever is pretty stiff. the gearbox was not dry, so I can only asume it was the transfer box that was low at one point. not sure why that would affect gear selection or high and low gear lever. ?
Steveeasy

Do clean the box filters and check 'box breather union and full length of breather tube before refilling. If breather's blocked 'box will over pressurise inducing leaky seal/s. Same with your diffs.

box filters ?. ill do a bit of research on this then.
Thanks
Steveeasy

If the oil was doing a chocolate sauce impression, I'd suggest flushing it out with ATF before refilling with the correct grade - ATF has high detergent content and, IME, makes a good flushing oil

steveeasy said:

ok drained both transfer box and gearbox. Gearbox had id think 5 ltrs of oil in it. as it drained it looked good to start with then looked something like fudge. clearly looked like it had air in it. ill refill both with the correct5 levels.

At present the high low lever is pretty stiff. the gearbox was not dry, so I can only asume it was the transfer box that was low at one point. not sure why that would affect gear selection or high and low gear lever. ?
Steveeasy

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Gear box refill is 2.4 litres, transfer box 2.3 litres. Overfull gearbox could well be the source of your leak. There are no filters to clean . You need to give the transfer box linkages a good clean, spray grease to lubricate, and plenty of wiggling to get rid of the stiffness (ooo-er matron ). If my memory serves, removing the gear stick and the transmission tunnel cover gives good access to the linkages (gear stick unclips in a few seconds for removal) Have you got the specs for the oils?