Freelander 1 removing and replacing oil cooler plate from IRD ?

Hello all.
I wonder if anyone has a guide or can describe removal and replacement (without damage) of the IRD oil cooler plate please ?
I have just ordered a S/H IRD and it is supposed to be 'fine', however, I will be stripping and inspecting it prior to 'signing it off as ok'

I would like to remove the oil cooler but have never seen or read of an appropriate way to remove it and also to replace it without damage.
Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Joe

Unfortunately the oil cooler is generally damaged by removing it. It's a bit like a hollow paint tin lid. It will bend on removal causing it to leak on refitting.

I gave mine a huge amount of stick trying to get it off and it was looking very sorry! I agree with Nodge, there's no way they are going back on. They're cheap to buy though.

Hi Nodge and GG, many thanks,
I was 'hoping' - however, I can see no way to access it as the take-off crown-wheel blocks access to the rear to apply a gentle tap. As you say,.they are cheap enough.
I have the used IRD coming - reputedly in really good nick (from a reliable source) but want to quickly strip and examine it. I must confess, without ACTUALLY removing the crown wheel I see no benefit in removing the plate for inspection as I can feel bearing 'smoothness' and inspect the teeth in the pinion and crown wheel whilst removing the layshaft and main shaft / diff assembly for inspection of bearings and overall condition.

One of the reasons I asked is that I was offered a supposedly rebuilt IRD with ALL new bearings and seals. I asked for them to strip it for inspection and must confess it looked good and clean and bearings were in great condition etc.. However, the oil cooler was slightly corroded - not bad- just fairly sure it was never removed - which tells me that the crown wheel bearings could not have been replaced as said by the seller.
Due to the price, I actually bought that one and it is the one on my flandy at the mo'. ('cos it was dirt cheap and looked great when stripped as far as I could see (Even the differ shims were as new), I was just 99% sure the crown wheel bearings had not been replaced.
At the price - and the way it operates it was a bargain.- and I am very happy with it.
I spoke to Bell Engineering a few weeks ago about a replacement IRD (to put on the shelf really as they are like rocking horse sh!te in Portugal) and was told that they had none due to difficulty obtaining good cores to rebuild. I then found a nice unit (with warranty at a crazy low price !, not reconditioned, just generally mint. I can inspect it when it arrives and get a replacement if any issues.

The crazy thing is .. this all started out as me trying to locate the small advance solenoid from the vp37 fuel pump for the l series (the one that causes the diesel knock syndrome), theses are 100 quid from Bosch! , so ended up getting a perfect used pump.. at the same time - due to high(relatively) shipping costs to Portugal - I got him to throw in a mint IRD as well.
Just kicking myself that I didnt order a good diff as well (also for the 'shelf) - ah well.....
That is the next part I need to go into 'cryogenic storage' for the future lol .. my flany has absolutely no rot - the suspension arms still have the original stickers on ! (it is a 99 model), no salt on the roads makes for a virtually eternal body and structure that is not going to rot away, hence, the need to get the MAIN parts while we can to keep for the 'future', I consider them a reasonable investment if proven good parts as If I do not need them I can always sell them on.

Thanks again guys, a superb forum !.

Joe

lol, sqirreling away components for the future.

You should squirel away a couple of Wabco ABS units - I've had a couple fail on my motor.

Hey GG, nice suggestion on the ABS unit !... will do that, I was thinking of things to 'deep freeze'
I am planning on a gearbox, turbo core, and a few other parts to add to my 'stash' of IRD / HP Fuel Pump and propshafts / drive shafts (Originally removed and subsequently reconditioned by yours truly.....)
I am 59 this year, so the Flandy should outlive me... - no reason why not, body and structure wise it is certainly in better shape than mine lol
Will get an ABS mod unit - to add to the 'war stock'.... should be cheap enough.
Most other things I can get easily.

Joe