Servicing a 110 300tdi on the driveway – tips required…

Looking for tips, shortcuts, general advice (must have tools etc…) that will make my 1st driveway service go that much more smoothly.
One question that springs to mind is: should I invest in a good set of ramps?

Do it on neighbours drive thus avoiding oil patches on yours.

Shouldnt need ramps, and if you did you would need 4 so you could raise entire vehicle to the same height to keep it level.

Other wise draining and refilling oil is not accurate.

only problem i ever have is oil fitler being slippery and abit tight so a good oil filter spanner is handy.

Halfords | Halfords Advanced Professional Oil Filter Remover Swivel

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_209641_langId_-1_categoryId_255216

i find adjustable strap ones the best as it will fit the fuel filter as well.

t55 torx bit for gear box filler 32mm or 1 1/4 spanner for drain plug (some use cheap pump up garden spray kit for refilling ,1/2 4-6 inch extension and ratchette for tt/box filler and 17 mm spanner for drain plug, t/box can be filled through center seat panel if removed with some pipe and small funnel,axles 1/2 drive ratchette for both , oil filter removal tool ,21mm or 13/15 socket for rad and thermostat housing bungs (best replaced with brass ones err4686B )allways remove both to fill system and thermostat one for level checking as expansion tank level doesnt indicate engine level allways fill all to over flowing excess will come out of cap till level correct ,there should be enough height under defender to get under but get ramps if you want to use wheeled laying board

storm99 said:

Do it on neighbours drive thus avoiding oil patches on yours.

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Only had the 110 a week and the oil slick is already encroaching on the neighbours drive!

Bear & James,

Excellent stuff, just what I'm looking for.

Think james gets the Gold Star on that one, far more informative than my post!!

But ever little helps i suppose!

jamesmartin said:

some use cheap pump up garden spray kit for refilling

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The type with just a spout or the type with hose attachment?

Loads of newspaper to catch/mop up the oil spills.

Some tin foil. Make a shute for the gearbox oil to run down into a pan as it makes a hell of a mess when it splashes all of the crossmember.

A spare sump plug aint a bad idea either. Mine stripped comming out. Landy now with no oil in it. 5 Hour round trip on the bus to get a new one before I could refill

Tin foil tray for draining the gear box oil!:doh: Wish i thought of that just done mine an used a rag that over hangs to get it in to the drain tray!

Toptip passed around many on the forum:

Always remove the filler plug FIRST.
Cos if you remove the drian plug and then cant get the filler plug out your Screwed!!

I like the foil tip - wish I'd thought if that - was messy cleaning the cross member up afterwards!

Sam is spot on - never remove a drain plug (whether gear box, diff, swivel joint or cooling system) without checking you can get the filler out first

BearDy89 said:

Toptip passed around many on the forum:

Always remove the filler plug FIRST.
Cos if you remove the drian plug and then cant get the filler plug out your Screwed!!

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That's gone straight to the top of my compiled list in bold red font.

Don't forget a good grese gun for the propshaft, drop-arm and some ball joints.

a 1/2 inch extension bar is perfect for the square on the diff drain plugs

Well James has it again for the best no nonsense advice. If you are drive proud, my only feeble add on is to beware of oil changes on a windy day. Silly as it sounds but when the dregs of the oil is coming out, the wind catches it and blows it past the tray.:doh:( gimme a break, I got heare late and everything else was covered.