Feeling VERY stupid

Hi All,
After 6 years with a 300tdi Disco, 1994 reg, which got beyond my ability to sort, re. rotten boot, wheel arches etc, I got myself a really nice TD4 ES auto, 2002 reg.
I've broken it.
Having thought to save a bit of money by doing a full service myself, I've knacked the autobox by loosening the big nut, thinking it was the filler bung, but which apparently is the reverse brake band anchor!
I'm feeling very very stupid and totally gutted.
Trawling the web, it looks like an Ashcroft recon unit is the only option.
Will I do any further damage driving it in forward gears to my local specialist, (Landrover Centre, Huddersfield, an excellent outfit I'm told), or is there an easy fix?
I Guess I'm looking at a very big bill.
What a t**t!
Regards, Bill.

Oopps

Ahh bad luck mate, thats a sh.i.t !


easily done tho mate

I wouldnt drive it any thurther untill its been looked at, as you say you might be causing more damage and more costs !

you never no, the whole gear box might not need changing, might just be a couple of parts.

Keep us updated with your progress.

Good luck

gearbox doesn't even need parts, it just needs taking off, the band re-assembling and then refitting.

Don't for one minute think this needs a new gearbox, or any replacement parts. It is just a labour cost, plus a few sundries such as gaskets / seals, fluid etc.

However, by all accounts, dropping the auto box is a bit of a mare. not sure, might even be an engine out job.

whatever way i guess its going to cost a bit to put right.

i remember on my old freebie the engine had to be shifted just to remove the clutch !

not easy !

When my auto was replaced I was told it was easier to remove the engine/auto/ird as one unit to do the work. Even though you on;y need access through the side panel for this fix, it's too tight to do it whilst in place in the Freelander.

Thanks for the replies and good wishes. I'm still feeling totally ashamed for my big mistake.
Thanks Optimus P for your reply, surely going to be cheaper than a recon box if the Landy Centre lads can sort it.
Haynes book of lies suggests that the gearbox removal isn't an engine out job, but we all know how accurate some bits in Haynes' s can be.
Just been out to it tonite whilst walking dog and now there is a flat tyre and a 1" cut half way up the sidewall that deffo wasnt there last night.
I do hope this isnt going to be an unlucky car.
Will keep you posted on the repair, thanks again, Bill

I don't know anyone who hasn't had a "doh!" moment - one of life's ways of keeping us humble Good luck with that, keep us posted.

at least you won't make the same mistake again

Is anyone else slightly concerned that the freelander is powered by a rubber band?

Think he means brake band, not rubber band. :doh:

Hi all
It's gone in today to "Automatic Transmissions", Huddersfield, who have been sorting autoboxes for years and have a superb reputation. The technician I spoke to knew exactly what I'd done, said they had had a good few of these cases, even from garages, gave me no bull and gave me an instant price of £640, £740 in the unlikely event it has knacked the brake band and drum, the worst case scenario. As Optimus said, it's usually a case of box out, open up, refit slipped band, replace. The only downside being all the extra bits they have to take off to get at the job, it being a 4wd with no room to work.
Should be back by Thursday.
A mate has lent me a Suzook Jimny to get to work........
Oh dear!
Cheers, Bill

It is a common fault. LR put out a warning about it - #12 i think. Copy in FAQ section

Hi all.
Picked up the car today, had to have a new reverse band and drum, still, the price seemed reasonable taking into account the amount of labour involved.
It's still not right though, so going back again tomorrow. There is a metallic rattle scraping noise, in all gears but worst in reverse. It comes and goes in D, almost sounds like a loose heat shield on the exhaust, but is worse and there all the time when reverse is selected at a standstill. The noises only came about once it was really warmed up, after 15-20 miles.
I've read that incorrect fluid level can give wierd symptoms on these boxes.
I've got a 12 month warranty on the work, so they should put it right free I hope!

Update
Just been out to the car again now it's cooled down. Whirring noise from box in P and N, chattering noises in R, no noises in D 4 etc. There is drive both forward and reverse.
Guess they'll have to strip it again.

To cut a long story short. There is nothing wrong with the gearbox! It's fixed. The wierd noises were because whoever put the undertray back on trapped the plastic inner mudshieds inboard so they touched the alternator pulley!!!!
Profuse apologies from the auto specialist forthcoming, the senior mechanic spotted it in 2 minutes flat!!!
Worse in reverse cos the engine moves slightly further back on its mounts fighting the footbrake, pushing the pulley onto the mudshield tongues.
Guess everyone is allowed a little mistake, but its ruined my nerves and now, I'm paranoid about the VCU having spent too much time trawling posts on here!
Auto Transmissions of Huddersfield, you get my recommendation, you wont get the undertray wrong on the next Hippo!

Riverside said:

The wierd noises were because whoever put the undertray back on trapped the plastic inner mudshieds inboard so they touched the alternator pulley!!!!

Click to expand...

'tis easy done, glad it was a simple fix.

no point worrying about vcu or ird for that matter, cos there int nothing you can do either way.

just have it in the back of your mind and enjoy driving your car.