New transfer box?

@Mr Freedom could yu take the vehicle to any of those places @flat has suggested?

I'll try and do so today. Many thanks for the help.

or if push comes to shove, remove the offending prop shaft, if it is indeed UJs, and drive back on 2 wheel drive

Ashcroft transmissions can repair or supply and fit if all else fails. I´ve bought a rear diff from them and they are first class. Just had a look and a refurb one costs around 500 ex VAT. https://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/transfer-boxes.html
I think they are based near Luton.

Just back from Gumtree 4x4, nice guys, not a prop/UJ issue unfortunately. Screechy/whinny sound is thought to be gear box bearing, and also possible issue with transmission box. Big job, 2k, not possible before we're due to return to France. Might consider delaying the latter. Many thanks for advice.

silly Q, as you have just had it checked, but...... it isnt the clutch release bearing is it?
why not have a word with Ashcrofts, as they have tame installers and might be able to assist in some way? Worth a call?

or if you fancy a trip "oop North", pm @james martin - he is, allegedly, reasonably priced

I don't know if its a clutch issue, they didn't mention the clutch (to my relief) although the guy yesterday was not happy with clutch - too heavy he said. I'll look into ashcrofts, thanks, trouble is we're here for a week with loads to do, and every move I make I've got a 3 year old and a 6 year old with me - makes things really difficult!

Okay so have had two garages say similar stuff now. Gumtree are good (don’t know who your other one was).

I suspect your options now are:

1. Drive home and ‘risk it’ (wouldn’t be my choice)
2. Delay going home and get it fixed here.
3. Send the missus and kids home on Eurostar/plane etc and stay here and get it fixed
4. See what your insurance company can do re: Euro breakdown and get it recovered home/transported home
5. Find a freight company and see if they can get it home, meanwhile get the train home yourself.

I think this is beyond me to help with now tbh sorry

yeah it's option 1 or 3. I'd risk it and get repaired in France but that will probably be considerably more expensive, unless your buying wine, cheese, or a house, France is pretty expensive ... We'll figure it out, thanks again for help.

have you got a quote from @ashtrans or @james martin ?

Mr Freedom said:

yeah it's option 1 or 3. I'd risk it and get repaired in France but that will probably be considerably more expensive, unless your buying wine, cheese, or a house, France is pretty expensive ... We'll figure it out, thanks again for help.

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No worries keep us updated with what you decide to do and if there is anything else we can help with if you see what I mean

If it is just the transfer box, once you get a replacement if you can find a friendly garage, or someone on here, willing to lend you a driveway and some basic tools, you could have the transfer-box swapped over in an afternoon by yourself. If it needs a gearbox as well that is then more work and more tools but would still be manageable in a day. Either of those options have got to be significantly cheaper than paying a garage to do it, even if you have to "rent" to space and the tools.

I wish I had the knowledge/experience to take on something like that. But I'm a beginner ... During this conversation I had to google propshafts and UJs :-/

It's not a hard job. having the correct tools to remove props etc help.
Extra pair off hands to help move the transfer box as this is small & akward.
Novice would take a day to remove & re fit.

Have you removed the drain plug on the transfer for a check on the metal on the magnet? it's a dirty job & you will need to refill after inspection.

That will stop him from driving it and is best done when everything is in place to replace

Mr Freedom said:

I wish I had the knowledge/experience to take on something like that. But I'm a beginner ... During this conversation I had to google propshafts and UJs :-/

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If you are a true beginner (which is sounds like) at the start of your land rover maintenance journey tackling it yourself on your own is probably a little too much, but it would also be one of te best learning experience you could have, especially if you have someone who know what they are doing to help out. Depending on how much prior experience you have it is a fairly straight forward job and is all just nuts an bolts. t can be broken down into smaller jobs which then do not appear to be as daunting:
remove the prop shafts
remove the hand brake drum and back plate
disconnect the gear linkage etc.

However I can understand not wanting to tackle it yourself if you are on a time scale and have not done anything like this before. The first time I needed a clutch I paid (an obscene amount) for a garage to do it. but have subsequently changed it twice myself having gained confidence in my abilities.

I can give another recommendation for ashcorft if you do need to replace. They are good quality items and the aftercare if anything goes wrong is very good. My transfer box "clicked" after fitting it, and by describing the problem on the phone they knew exactly what the issue was, assured me it was still safe to drive, and when convenient for me (about 3 months later) they would collect it, rectify, and redeliver. Having done the clutch, shortly followed by the transfer box, and then having to remove again to return to them the final time only took me a couple of hours to remove an refit!

Cheers for encouragement! But I've no tools here and no space to work, and, I don't even know what a transfer box looks like. I've booked it in with Gumtree 4x4 for next week. The bill, no doubt, will encourage me to improve my knowledge and have a go next time ...

Mr Freedom said:

Cheers for encouragement! But I've no tools here and no space to work, and, I don't even know what a transfer box looks like. I've booked it in with Gumtree 4x4 for next week. The bill, no doubt, will encourage me to improve my knowledge and have a go next time ...

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Have you asked Gumtree 4x4 if they could possibly source you good second hand transfer box/Gearbox? It would help to keep the cost down

No warranty

The Mad Hat Man said:

No warranty

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True but you can pick up a second hand transfer box for about £75, even a disco one if wanted. Can get through an awful lot of those before you reach the price of a rebuilt unit.
I would be more cautious with a gearbox however and would probably prefer a recon to second hand for that.