gear box change

ok how easy / difficult is it to change the gearbox on a 2001 freelander 1.8 manual -- to be done on a drive with no weather protection
one for sale locally thats got a fooked gbox for good money -- as they want it gone asap

cfwnotloB said:

ok how easy / difficult is it to change the gearbox on a 2001 freelander 1.8 manual -- to be done on a drive with no weather protection
one for sale locally thats got a fooked gbox for good money -- as they want it gone asap

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It can be done. The gearbox is light at about 30Kgs. You'll need to remove the IRD before starting to remove the gearbox.

Are you sure it's the gearbox? They don't generally fail, but the IRD is well known to go bang.

You sure it's the g'box and not a stuffed IRD?
Could be done but it's a big job:
You would need a trolley jack & axel stands and oil draining equipment to drain IRD & G'box.
Method:
Remove starter motor, air cleaner ass'y and battery & box.
chock rear wheels jack up & support - remove front wheels, drain oils, disconnect IRD cooler plumbing i.e. drain cooling system.
Remove prop shaft, remove drive shafts - they can be a mission too if the splines are seized!
disconnect clutch bracket and gear linkage
remove lower engine tie bar and IRD support bracket Un bolt exhaust support bracket - you may need to remove the front pipe ass'y too - not sure
remove IRD - you'll need help as it's heavy!
remove g'box

Sounds like a fun weekend!. Check what the RAVE says or a Haynes manual. Others will be along soon to comment / advise...

on web for sale - states gbox gone and needs to be removed from site asap - not seen it just wondered if it was worth a punt

gearbox, ird, vcu, rear diff etc.

If its lost some gears and not others then it is the box, if its lost all gears then its likely the splines on the IRD.

htr said:

remove IRD - you'll need help as it's heavy!

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My help was a trolly jack

If you're replacing the box though, the IRD can just be shifted to sit on the subframe, it doesn't need to come all the way out.

The drivers side shaft doesn't need to be removed, you can push back the hub to pop it from the IRD and give you enough room to shift the IRD. Not sure about the passenger side though.

If it's for free or as near as then it's worth a punt but it's a big job and will cost the price of a gearbox (if that's really the fault) plus a clutch kit plus oils and coolant, plus unless you know it's already been done a timing belt, water pump and tensioner.
It's not for the faint hearted.

Alibro said:

If it's for free or as near as then it's worth a punt but it's a big job and will cost the price of a gearbox (if that's really the fault) plus a clutch kit plus oils and coolant, plus unless you know it's already been done a timing belt, water pump and tensioner.
It's not for the faint hearted.

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If it's the IRD, then it'll be an easy, but not cheap repair.


I got offered a 2001 V6 at the weekend for £150. It was MOT'd with 80K and in reasonable condition too. It had was loosing coolant, so I passed, as I really don't want another project at this present time.
Now I'm thinking that maybe I should have got it for a future project.

Nodge68 said:

If it's the IRD, then it'll be an easy, but not cheap repair.


I got offered a 2001 V6 at the weekend for £150. It was MOT'd with 80K and in reasonable condition too. It had was loosing coolant, so I passed, as I really don't want another project at this present time.
Now I'm thinking that maybe I should have got it for a future project.

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You could probably get a cheap IRD from a breakers that would be in good enough condition to at least run it 2WD.

I'm not sure what happens if the splines have gone though, would they also take out the splines on the gearbox?

GrumpyGel said:

You could probably get a cheap IRD from a breakers that would be in good enough condition to at least run it 2WD.

I'm not sure what happens if the splines have gone though, would they also take out the splines on the gearbox?

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why would a new IRD help with coolant loss?

The Mad Hat Man said:

why would a new IRD help with coolant loss?

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IRD has a cooler.

The Mad Hat Man said:

why would a new IRD help with coolant loss?

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As GF says the coolers do leak sometimes, but my comment wasn't about cooling, it was in response to "If it's the IRD, then it'll be an easy, but not cheap repair."

guineafowl21 said:

IRD has a cooler.

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so? A vehicle has a coolant leak, so you change the IRD. Thats like having a squeek and changing all the suspension.

Nodge said he was offered a car with a coolant leak. The reply intimated changing the IRD. Not what I would consider the first choice.

GrumpyGel said:

As GF says the coolers do leak sometimes, but my comment wasn't about cooling, it was in response to "If it's the IRD, then it'll be an easy, but not cheap repair."

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thats all right then - I will let you off

The Mad Hat Man said:

thats all right then - I will let you off

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Thanks dad

Nodge68 said:

If it's the IRD, then it'll be an easy, but not cheap repair.


I got offered a 2001 V6 at the weekend for £150. It was MOT'd with 80K and in reasonable condition too. It had was loosing coolant, so I passed, as I really don't want another project at this present time.
Now I'm thinking that maybe I should have got it for a future project.

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Go on Nodge, you know you want to.

Alibro said:

Go on Nodge, you know you want to.

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Problem is I have a lack of space and time at the moment. I'm also looking for a set of 18 rims for my 05 SE too. So I need to keep the bean counter on side!