Defender 90 transfer box problem

Hey guys, Noob here!

I am having a few issues with a 1987 90td station waggon and hoped that one of you might be able to point me in the right direction? My transfer box is acting up. Basically I can engage 4WD low ratio, but all others are "unobtainable". Now, this might be something I'm doing wrong (I suspect it is) but I cant select high, I've tried it in gear, out of gear, with the handbrake, without the handbrake, engine on/off, essentially, i've tried everything I can think of but no joy!

Somebody please help!!

Thanks in advance,

Cakey.

There was a bloke on here before. Turned out he wasn't moving the lever the right way.......
Assuming your not doing that I'd suspect the linkage has come adrift. Do as search on here for Diff Lock.

I have just had the same type of problem myself but mine was sticking in diff lock (See thread about Diff Lock Problem on here by me) and when the landy mechanic checked mine out, it was the linkage worn and it had a white plastic gromet / spacer type piece missing, the lads replaced the linkage bar with a good second hand one and replaced the missing plastic bit and it works fine now, the last owner must of thought the transfer box was dodgy so they diconnected the wiring so that the dashlight did not come on crafty buggers eh, but I am very pleased of the outcome and it saved me a lot of work and cash, good luck

try putting it in gear with engine running and lift the clutch slightly as you engage hi/lo,just put a bit of gentle pressure on lever and as you lift clutch slightly it should drop in,if that dosent work than it will most probably be your linkage,just remove the gearbox tunnel and have a look

Thanks so much for your time guys, I had a go at it this afternoon.....

And, after an hour spent spannering around, removing bits to get at the transfer box, I can see the linkages are all working as they should. Both difflocked ratios engage and drive is sent to the wheels. Both non-difflocked ratios engage but no motive force is applied to the wheels? Perculiar, no? I'm guessing that summat has bust in the transfer box. Anyone know what might've gone pop?


As always, a big that you for any info.....


D.

Cakebread said:

Thanks so much for your time guys, I had a go at it this afternoon.....

And, after an hour spent spannering around, removing bits to get at the transfer box, I can see the linkages are all working as they should. Both difflocked ratios engage and drive is sent to the wheels. Both non-difflocked ratios engage but no motive force is applied to the wheels? Perculiar, no? I'm guessing that summat has bust in the transfer box. Anyone know what might've gone pop?


As always, a big that you for any info.....


D.

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it sounds like youve either snapped an half shaft or broke a diff,thats why it will only drive in diff lock,it will most probably be your back end,if you remove your rear half shafts first(small cap with 5 bolts in centre of wheel) and inspect them,if its not them drop the oil in your diff and see if any metal fragments come out,if so your diffs gone,let us know how you get on

19MART82 has it, if you can only get drive with the diff locked then thats because something is broken.

Put it into high or low but NOT diff and put it into gear with the engine running and the handbrake off, have a look under it, is one of the props spinning?

19mart82 and discomania, go to the top of the class! I just had a thought before reading this, Honest ;-) and low and behold......

Front prop spinning away but no drive!! So, best case, broken halfshaft, worst case, knackered diff? Is there any way of pinning it down before I start taking it apart?

Q. If I roll forwards without the diff locked, the prop should turn. If it doesn't, will that help me figure out which bit is busted?

OR. If I lift a wheel and rotate it the prop should spin, if it doesn't does that mean a broken halfshaft?

So many questions, keep up the good work folks!

Cakebread said:

19mart82 and discomania, go to the top of the class! I just had a thought before reading this, Honest ;-) and low and behold......

Front prop spinning away but no drive!! So, best case, broken halfshaft, worst case, knackered diff? Is there any way of pinning it down before I start taking it apart?

Q. If I roll forwards without the diff locked, the prop should turn. If it doesn't, will that help me figure out which bit is busted?

OR. If I lift a wheel and rotate it the prop should spin, if it doesn't does that mean a broken halfshaft?

So many questions, keep up the good work folks!

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best way is to take out the halfshafts,you have to take them out to remove the diff anyway so if it is an halfshaft its a bonus,if there ok then you know its your diff

Hurrah! It would seem that I have a busted halfshaft. With each wheel lifted, one at a time, and the filler plug out of the Diff casing, I can see the diff rotating when I do the Drivers side but not the passenger side. Also, when I turn the prop by hand I can see the Diff moving. Result! Much rather replace a halfshaft that the originally suspected transfer box! Thanks a lot for the info folks. A much hapier bunny now.

One last question though, where's the best place to purchase a halfshaft from??

Cheers,

Cakey.

Cakebread said:

Hurrah! It would seem that I have a busted halfshaft. With each wheel lifted, one at a time, and the filler plug out of the Diff casing, I can see the diff rotating when I do the Drivers side but not the passenger side. Also, when I turn the prop by hand I can see the Diff moving. Result! Much rather replace a halfshaft that the originally suspected transfer box! Thanks a lot for the info folks. A much hapier bunny now.

One last question though, where's the best place to purchase a halfshaft from??

Cheers,

Cakey.

Click to expand...

im pleased its an easy fix for you,ebay have loads on there new and second hand,paddocks sell them mail order to,if its original axle they should be 10 spline but best remove and check first

Thanks 19MART82
Jaguar | Land Rover spare parts at British Parts UK £36-ish.
Now I know what I'm doing this weekend!

My 1990 110 is broken and I have gotten as far as the bit where I have the plug out of the front diff and can see that it will not turn when trying with either wheel.The prop shaft turns with engine running and in gear.Any help appreciated.

Hi folks if I may join in. I was last on this site I just noticed back in July`10. My problem is this. The transfer box on my 90 sounds like a buch of fogs on speed playing with their marbles , when i`m driving. I assume this means it needs to be replaced, unless someone with aimilar problem tells me differently. I await your feedback. Thanks.

Been short of oil?Is short of oil?

have you checked your oil? replaced oil?

do that first, after that there's something else you can add to the oil to quiet it down...