no but this could be a fault he could also have two faults with it not just one the way to tell if its the box is when you drain the oil is there ant metal withing the oil you drained ?
i would remove transfer box first because i have seen it before where the splines ont he output shaft of the gearbox going into the transfer box wear out
chris
no risk if hand brakes on it just stops people because someone tried to pinch mine in middle of night and heard it start up so rushed outside but because transfer box was in netrual thye tried to put it in gear and go but it wouldnt because of this
thanks chris
i have a td5 and done 150k now no problems at all not one fault touch wood also with a td5 you dont have to worry about cambelts due to it running a chain so no ajusting and it is alot quiker on the road than a 300 tdi
thnaks chris