New defender! First jobs...

Hi,
I bought the 110 j reg defender! First jobs are:
Repair rusty hole in box section of the chassis
Replace worn ball joints on drag link and drop arm

I'm new to all this! Took me 1 day to find the dip stick! Even longer to see why the steering is light, 11-1 is non existent. Friends said the ball joints have lots of play in them and are shot.

Busterbus's how to posts are brilliant. Many thanks for the posts.

Also I've had a funny few episodes when starting. It sometimes does not start first time. Can't see if there are any conditions when that's the case. It first happened when I let a mate drive it and he did not wait for the coils light to go out.

Ball joints on the steering system are a nice satisfying job which won't cause too many issues provided you have a tool for removing them - google something or ask for advice in a hardware shop. It'll give a good bit of confidence.

Go onto the online manuals website:
Free Online Workshop Repair Manuals

find your model / engine and go through the maintenance section at the start - gives you some jobs that will be a good way to get to known your car - some are basic service, some are a little more.

as someone said to me "once you start, the restoration never ends" - You will now be consumed by 'little' jobs.

I also have a J 110. Any pics of yours?

The jobs never end on em!

Not starting first time could be a dodgy lift pump.

Ace thanks Niall, that link looks the perfect resource!

Thanks Harry, I love the never ending jobs, it's good fun investigating. Will research the lift pump once the steering is fixed.

Will post some pics today.

As above read about the jobs (even the small ones) before you get balls deep in them and get in a pickle.

I've done loads of work on cars in the past, but am still green when it comes to defenders, and 10 minutes reading can definitely save you an hour cussing!!

Good luck
Tom

LRD90tdi said:

As above read about the jobs (even the small ones) before you get balls deep in them and get in a pickle.

I've done loads of work on cars in the past, but am still green when it comes to defenders, and 10 minutes reading can definitely save you an hour cussing!!

Good luck
Tom

Click to expand...

especially when it comes to the drop arm joint.
Consider "upgrading" to a disco set up.

Presumaby she's a doozil?

Is it the original 1990 reg or ex-MoD?

Has she got a turbo or is she normally aspirated?

The more info you give us, the more we will be able to help you.

A J is 91/92. Should have a 200tdi if it's a normal civvy Landie.

Going to visit my friend who has a bay VW and he's going to show me how to fix this.

Give it a good squirt of WD40 to stop the tinworm from spreading.

Great idea. Will do that!

Many thanks.

Just seen the replies, sorry for my late reply:!

It's a 200tdi.

That upgrade sounds interesting. Not even heard about that.


Thanks for the help everyone!