How do I convince land rover my clutch is a dodgy one?

I have a tdci defender with the symptoms of the dodgy clutch issues ( juddering pulling off, tight gear selection and clunking badly) I've taken it to LR and every time they just say its the way they are? Now looking at the info on the web it tells a different story, I think the only way they'll notice is if it actually goes bang, which it will eventually according to info, and with less than a year on warranty I'd like a solution before it runs out. Anyone had any luck arguing this case?
Thanks!

Have you tried taking it to a different dealer?

Best thing to do is write a letter to Land Rover themselves. The dealer has to be able to prove it is faulty and needs replacement and the chances the claim will be turned down are high. Even if land rover dealership send a request it is more likely they will be turned down rather than if you make contact with them.
Send a letter stating that you have had it in to be looked at and you just get told it is normal. Remember to supply the dealer name and all the details of your vehicle.
You maybe surprised at what they can do for you

If its juddering its probably on its way anyway, my tdi has juddered for the last couple of months then expired a couple of weeks ago.



Lynall

Put everything in writing and also speak to another dealer, if you get no luck there then go direct to LR. If you still get no luck then you will have to engage an engineer for an expert opinion and take legal advice but hopefully it won't get that far if they see you are sincere and are keeping detailed records.

The R380 in my 90 had a horrible shift from day one but the local dealer said LR weren't interested until 15K miles had been covered, when I said to him that I wouldn't cover that many miles while it was still under warranty he just laughed and said that it was tough!
I wish I knew then what I know now and had stuck to my guns, the R380 is the worst gearbox I have ever owned and now it has covered about 30K miles it is even worse and I think replacement is my only option.

jimbo-td5 said:

I have a tdci defender with the symptoms of the dodgy clutch issues ( juddering pulling off, tight gear selection and clunking badly) I've taken it to LR and every time they just say its the way they are? Now looking at the info on the web it tells a different story, I think the only way they'll notice is if it actually goes bang, which it will eventually according to info, and with less than a year on warranty I'd like a solution before it runs out. Anyone had any luck arguing this case?
Thanks!

Click to expand...

you dont say what year it is
how many miles its done?


just seen your sig its an 09

Thanks for the replies guys, it's an 09 on 21k. I've had her since 10k and it doesn't seem much worse I'm just afraid that it'll expire just after the warranty. As stated I'll have to make contact with another dealer, although they are a fair distance away but it has to be done! If not off to land rover it is
Again thanks very much guys!!

21.000 would be a little early for a clutch, or worn transmission cluncks, or a frame ball joint, I had same juddering my hand brake wasnt going completly off even though the warning light went off, so i changed the hand brake cable solved the problem.
Has the gearbox oil ever been changed, Whos to say the owner before you wasnt in & out of water & mud a lot could have slight water ingress, check you oil or change it, for £20 worth of oil it might solve your problem. Or might not, then open a can of whoopass over the dealer

Hi
Hope this helps, talking to the main man at craddocks & they are fitting new clutches in tdci s for landrover under warrantys on landrovers behalf.
He told me the reason they are not lasting very long is that the new engines are slightly offset ie not sitting straight putting stress on the moving parts including clutches.
Hit em with that one & see if it gets you anywhere.

imo clutches are friction parts like brake pads etc and shouldnt really be a warranty item????!!! :doh:

8kphil said:

imo clutches are friction parts like brake pads etc and shouldnt really be a warranty item????!!! :doh:

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Yep normal ware and tare items just like a tyre to many variables to warranty a clutch,bearing or fly wheel

If they have enough complaints about a similar problem with the clutch they will make it warranty.
We have had the same problem at work on customers Ford and Mazda pick ups. Engine being too powerful for the clutch. Anybody with a complaint had it fixed under warranty.
Ford even extend their warranty on the dual mass flywheel up to 150k due to related faults.
Just remember like us your Land Rover franchise will get paid to do the work from Land rover uk. They would be more than happy to do the work but they have to prove their is a fault there and be able to show the evidence as to what had been causing the fault otherwise they will get stuck with the bill or worse yourself.
Like i said earlier send a letter to Land Rover uk. They will investigate the problem if they want to keep your business.
Explain the lengths you have gone to try have the fault rectified. It much harder for the maufacture to say no to you as a customer than it is for them to pass on a no through your local land rover franchise