Workshop
Faults & fixes
Describe what your Land Rover is doing, pick your model, and see the likely causes with suggested fixes, how hard each one is and roughly what it costs.
11 faults
Clear search- Gearbox & transferHigh severity
Clutch pedal goes to the floor
Pedal sinks or stays down, clutch drags so gears are hard to select, fluid loss from the reservoir.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - Gearbox & transferHigh severity
Clutch release fork pivot failure on LT77 and R380
Sudden loss of clutch with no hydraulic fault, the clutch pedal still has pressure but nothing happens.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td52 fixes - Gearbox & transferHigh severity
Clutch will not disengage on Series (cross-shaft failure)
Clutch pedal works but the vehicle will not come out of gear, or the pedal suddenly goes light with no clutch action.
Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Notchy changes or jumping out of gear on LT77 and R380
Second gear crunches when cold, fifth or reverse jumps out, rattles at idle in neutral.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td53 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Rear transfer box output flange spline wear
Clunk from under the vehicle on take-up, rotational play in the rear prop shaft at the transfer box output.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 300Tdi, Td52 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Series gearbox jumping out of gear
Gear lever pops back into neutral on the overrun, typically in second or third, or when lifting off over bumps.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Td5 dual mass flywheel rattle and clutch judder
Rattle at idle which goes away when the clutch is pressed, judder when pulling away, clunk on switching off.
Defender · Td52 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Transfer box oil leaks and diff lock warning light stays on
Oil dripping from the transfer box, the diff lock warning light stays on after disengaging, or high and low range is hard to select.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Worn propshaft universal joints
Clunk on take-up, vibration that increases with speed, squeaking under the vehicle at low speed.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - Gearbox & transferLow severity
Crunching gear changes on Series gearboxes
Grinding when engaging second or third, especially on quick changes. Series I and II have no synchromesh on first and second.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - Gearbox & transferLow severity
Overdrive noise or jumping out
Whining or grinding with overdrive engaged, or overdrive dropping out on the overrun.
Series II / IIA · Series III2 fixes
This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.