I have been away from Land Rovers for about 10 years and recently lost the plot and bought a 1979 Series 3 SWB 2 .25 petrol ex military with the heavy duty gearbox. An out rigger here a cross-member there, a fuel tank later I have something that is about ready to go back on the road. I believe the vehicle has sat for sometime prior to me buying it; it has certainly sat without moving from November until February.
The problem: - Took it out on the back lane to the house today and the whole drive seemed to seize up.
To start with it was in high ratio, rear wheel drive only when I started to drive it, I got about 10ft when the LR stopped moving, was still in gear clutch out and accelerator on. I selected neutral and the put it back in first then nothing, no movement, I could feel that the gearbox was trying to turn something but again I was stationary. Tried high 4wd, low ratio, forward, reverse, etc, again nothing. Went and got my trolley jack and lifted the rear of the ground and tried again, this time the rear wheels started to turn (rear wheels off the ground, hope no one from The Health and Safety Executive is reading this). Lowered the jack, got about a yard in reverse and I was stationary again, everything had seized up again. Jacked it up and everything freed up again. This time after removing the jack I could move it backwards and forwards, backed it into the drive did a three point turn.
With the engine running and gearbox in neutral when I push the clutch in everything is nice and silent however when I take my foot off the clutch it is as if something isnt disengaging properly. I can hear a sort of dull rattle/whine (as if the release bearing is stuck????????????????)
Is it because the LR has sat for a while and all it needs is new oil in the gearbox and axles. Is the clutch on its way out or is it something more terminal? Any ideas anyone?
The problem: - Took it out on the back lane to the house today and the whole drive seemed to seize up.
To start with it was in high ratio, rear wheel drive only when I started to drive it, I got about 10ft when the LR stopped moving, was still in gear clutch out and accelerator on. I selected neutral and the put it back in first then nothing, no movement, I could feel that the gearbox was trying to turn something but again I was stationary. Tried high 4wd, low ratio, forward, reverse, etc, again nothing. Went and got my trolley jack and lifted the rear of the ground and tried again, this time the rear wheels started to turn (rear wheels off the ground, hope no one from The Health and Safety Executive is reading this). Lowered the jack, got about a yard in reverse and I was stationary again, everything had seized up again. Jacked it up and everything freed up again. This time after removing the jack I could move it backwards and forwards, backed it into the drive did a three point turn.
With the engine running and gearbox in neutral when I push the clutch in everything is nice and silent however when I take my foot off the clutch it is as if something isnt disengaging properly. I can hear a sort of dull rattle/whine (as if the release bearing is stuck????????????????)
Is it because the LR has sat for a while and all it needs is new oil in the gearbox and axles. Is the clutch on its way out or is it something more terminal? Any ideas anyone?
