Noisy Gearbox

Show me a LT85 that's quiet and I'll show you a vehicle that's not moving...

The gearbox has a bit of a reputation for loading the bearings rather poorly, especially in 5th, fourth gear is 1:1 so naturally a bit quieter. This box needs low viscosity oil to lubricate it properly, do you know what's in it?

Regards

William MacLeod

I have just had my LT85 on my '86 rebuilt because it was noisy & first gear was outside the passenger door, fifth was out of my door! Local specialist in Norfolk rebuilt it for me & it's quiet & not like stirring soup (i.e. BL Maxi Gearbox) on shifts. Mine has done 125K Miles.

I've seen one or two LT85s that are quiet, usually after I've replaced the front layshaft bearing, they don't usually want anything else, bearings are cheap, just a bit fiddly to get in. As William says, no bearing load in 4th, get it done before it breaks something else! you will most likely get away with just the one bearing.

Martin

Local specialist

Oho! Which one would that be? I just like to know all the options seeing as LR specialists are a bit thin on the ground and I live in Norfolk... TonyB

Hello William. What type oil do you use?. Are most of these repairs easy enough DIY or best left to a garage.

Hi John,

I use 15/40 engine oil which is changed every 20000 miles or thereabouts. I can't advise on DIY gearbox repairs as I got a recon box, Martin could maybe advise on that?

One thing you could do which wouldn't cost much would be to drain the gearbox and fill it with engine oil so that you know it's not EP90 or the like in it. Transfer box still takes EP90 though.

Regards

William MacLeod

Tonyb E-Mail me Snoopy snipped-for-privacy@tesco.net & I'll pass on details

Hi John,

You could repair the box yourself but they are a bit awkward so if you can remove the box yourself ( these are*heavy*) then take it to Dave Beaumont near Halifax for a good job at the right price with warranty; he only repairs them, I don't think he fits them as well but I may be wrong. You'll not be disappointed and he's not that far from you. I'm not doing much now (too old and creaky).

HTH Martin

Hi Martin. Thanks for the advice. My local garage is pretty with my Landrover so I will pop in there sometime soon.