is it time for a service my disco ??

well iv had loads of fun and done 1800 mile with no problems in my disco, its done 3 pay n play days and loads of miles green lanes, after pay n play at cown yesterday i need to strip my carpets and i think it time to service it or may be more.
i want to keep my landy running well,, what do i need to do next ??

At the least I'd clean/jet-wash underneath as best I can as soon as possible after 'playing'.

Next would be open the air filter and see if/how much it's crudded up, you might get away with a shaking out of the filter and a hoovering of the box .. It's my opinion that many a motor might still be running well if people did this one thing a lot more ...

If it's still running cleanly no need to change fuel filter, but I'd check level and colour/condition of the engine oil, if it's very low top up, if it's thick and black maybe change oil and oil filter. If it's still clean and at right level no worries. Walk round and check all lights still work, use a brick/friend/lover/pet dog/whatever on the pedal to check brake lights.

General check of all cables/fittings in the engine bay. I'd also remove the top of the radiator shroud and see if there are any fins knocked out at the back of the rad, or mud clogged in it. Clean and check battery connections, fuse covers, brake and clutch fluid levels. Good look for water/Power Steering/rocker box/head/brake/clutch master cylinder leaks, oil cooler hose leaks, check UJ's on steering column for tightness, and that all bottles/bits and bobs are secure, pipework still in brackets etc

Underneath and remove wading plugs, check straightness and soundness of all steering rods, radius arm and trailing arm mounting points and bushes. Check UJ's for slop and prop is still greased, maybe use a grease gun as necessary on UJ and prop grease nipples. While under check diff and transfer box outputs/inputs for weeping from oil seals. Check all gearbox, transfer box and diff oil levels .. if they need filling, or the oil is now muddy paste, first make sure you can open the filler plugs before you drain them! I also check for mud between spring coils, A-frame and also try to check all bushes .. it's amazing how quickly a sloppy bush 'dies' when introduced to even a small amount of mud, which quickly turns into an abrasive grinding paste.

For a full service there's a lot more to do ...

well that will take me a few days !! lol. but will be worth it in the end

Nah, couple of hours general fettling.

I do it once a month and ASAP after every muddy/watery/bumpy trip out.

.....while your under there, it'd be worth checking your swivel seals and oil levels in the swivel housing, too.... it's amazing how often i've seen this overlooked.

One lad I used to know never bothered, and wondered why his steering was "lop sided", and his N/S CV packed up .... his swivel seal was torn, swivel ball pitted like a teenagers face, and inner grease seal was only a rubber ring...it was bone dry - not even any 1 shot left in there !..

checking your swivel seals and oil levels in the swivel housing,and diff oil levels.............. how do i do this ???

i cant open my bonnet now lol

300tdistu said:

checking your swivel seals and oil levels in the swivel housing,and diff oil levels.............. how do i do this ???

i cant open my bonnet now lol

Click to expand...

lolz - not a good start !

Checking the levels is dead easy.
diffs, pop the top diff plug on the diff housings with it all on level ground.....if oil comes out, level is good. If not top it up.
Check the oil in there is still good obviously.

Front swivels.....

Its easier if ya pop off the wheels, it gives ya better access and viewing.
The swivel housing has 3x plugs.
A large one at the top - this ones the filler.
A small one kind of in the middle at the front - this ones the oil level plug.
A similar one at the bottom - this one is the drain.
Same principle applies to the swivels - if oil comes out of the level hole... all is good. It'll probably still have a good fistfull of 1-shot grease in it - most i've come across have.

Swivel seal is easy, just look for signs of tearing or streaks of grease / oil on the swivel ball / seeping from the seal. For a closer look, there is a steel plate holding it in at the back with, i think 6 bolts - undo them and gently tickle the seal out of the housing - and have a closer look.

If your serious about a good service, If the seal is shot, or the swivel is pitted and has scoring on it .... time for a few hours pulling the lot out for a bloody good overhaul.

It's quite therapeutic, pulling it all to pieces IMHO

Hi,

What oils/fluids do you use in the transfer box and gearbox? I was thinking it was DexronII or ATF but different people have told me different things like some are too thin/thick etc?

It's quite therapeutic, pulling it all to pieces... yes.... but the stress when i put it back together and still have bits left over is not so therapeutic......... lol

i couldnt open my bonnet after a pay and play had to be forced in the end, got some bonnet pins now makes life easier