twodoorgaz Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Hi, I'm looking for a suitable specialist to recondition the original gearbox from my SIII - i.e. no exchange units. Back in the day there were a number of specialists (Landy Ltd., L.E.G.S, etc.) who delt with Series boxes but now it seems we're stuck with people like Simmonites and Paddocks who have them redone by unknown workshops with questionable parts quality or we can go to Ashcrofts who will do beautiful work, but the £1000 price tag is a bit much for me. Can anyone recommend a firm/a specialist? I'm happy to source all parts if needs be. Many thanks indeed. P.S. I should say I'm in the North-West of England - so ideally someone local(ish) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Ashcrofts use a lot of Britpart components and don't work to anywhere near the quality they did when Ian was in charge. They trade on their old reputation these days. If you have the tools and space, I'd strongly recommend doing it yourself, sourcing the parts from Dunsfold LR (they stock lots of hard to find Gen Parts at very good prices). Use the genuine LR Workshop Manual rather than the Haynes book if you have the chance, but the Haynes manual actually covers it pretty accurately. One big thing - make sure you use bearing seating compound when fitting the main shaft rear bearing carrier to the housing - most reconditioners, including LR themselves, don't bother, and that's why so much oil migrates from the gear box to the transfer box. Also pay close attention to setting the 2nd and 3rd gear end float on the big bronze bush - it makes a lot of difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodoorgaz Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 Hi mate. I have seriously considered it (have been a regular visitor to your site for ages). Space is no problem and any tools I don't have, my dad will have (failing that I love an excuse opportunity to buy/make new tools). In an ideal world I had actually hoped to find a specialist who would be happy for me to strip the casing myself, beadblast it myself and also paint/polish the linkages/covers before they were to assemble it. However. I am worried that final assembly would be a bridge too far for my skill-level. Probably the most complicated assembly I have ever worked on would be the rebuild of a Series swivel hub. I would dearly love to do it, but my main fear comes from the experience of a relative a few years ago. As a (genuinely) skilled and fully-trained engineer he took on the task of rebuilding a SIII 'box and while most things went well, a recurrent fault meant the box was in and out half a dozen times before he gave up and fitted a 2nd hand box. While I relish the opportunity to learn new skills, I really want the box to be right at the first attempt. Do you think this is something I could take on myself? Is there any way to test whether the completed box is working correctly before installation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeriesEwan Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 where in the world are you? I cant vouch for their work on a series gearbox *touch wood* but i know of a place that did a fantastic job of rebuilding my mates vw camper gearbox & my old (shhhh ) astra gearbox in sheffield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodoorgaz Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 In Cumbria mate, but happy to travel that sort of distance if they're good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I've rebuilt a series 1 box for someone before, it wasn't too hard a job, as said above, the key is to get the bronze bush set up properly - and get the genuine 1 part version. Trial fit and refit until it's right. I can't imagine that the series 3 is more difficult by a lot. If I was closer to you I'd take it on, but it wouldn't make sense. I was planning on doing one to have as a spare this winter, if you like I can start a thread on the job,and we could work on one simultaneously, we can work out problems, you know - what is acceptable wear, how do you free up things etc. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodoorgaz Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 That's a really nice idea pal, thank you, it would certainly be beneficial to be in the same boat as someone else. Found an email from Landy Ltd (the guy that used to advertise in LRO but is now eBay only) that says he'd do the assembly for £250 which is appealing). I'll mull it over over the next few days i reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I did the one currently in the 88...unfortunately 2 years later it sounds like the layshaft bearings have gone...I'm about to send the old one of to AW Transmissions in Coventry...I'll let you know...They were happy to do the main box only for £400+VAT worst case, whereas Ashcroft only advertise complete, and Midland Transmissions refused to do main box only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobotMan Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Beaumonts in Halifax are worth a phone call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Its not that difficult a job , I was nervous when i did my first one , (behind a V8) , you only need a couple of "special" tools IIRC . Which you can make ! one from a piece of scaffold pole !! I just followed the instructions in the gen landrover manual . Attention to detail and not trying to rush is the main secret . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Well, I'm going on a raid to my old workshop next week, and so will get all my spares and gearbox tools. I'll then start to rebuild the box that has been sat in the back of my 109 for the last 3 weeks! I'll post up pictures as I go, probably on photobucket. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 rebuilt 2.5 now, there actually very simple as boxes go. just take a note of what goes where and how it goes there etc. just put it back together the opposite way to taking it apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 and its really interesting to see how it all works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Do em yourself - no special tools needed and very easy to work on. The haynes manual even gives you a step by step set of instructions on how to do it! at the end of the day they were designed to be field serviceable in very remote areas with the most basic of tools! Beware of carp quality replacement parts however. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodoorgaz Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Bottling it I'm afraid folks. For a brief time I thought about rebuilding (and I would still be very interested in reading about how your rebuild goes Gazzar) but took a deep breath and decided that I'll have Landy Ltd do the assembly (anyone any experience with him btw? Certainly seems to know his stuff) subject to my supplying the parts (Bearmach, OEM or Genuine - no Britpart/Allmakes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v8Dougie Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I've rebuilt a series 1 box for someone before, it wasn't too hard a job, as said above, the key is to get the bronze bush set up properly - and get the genuine 1 part version. Trial fit and refit until it's right. I can't imagine that the series 3 is more difficult by a lot. If I was closer to you I'd take it on, but it wouldn't make sense. I was planning on doing one to have as a spare this winter, if you like I can start a thread on the job,and we could work on one simultaneously, we can work out problems, you know - what is acceptable wear, how do you free up things etc. G. Gazzar, can I do one with you! I bought a box to strip and rebuild back in April, but stripped it and it has been sitting in the conservatory ever since! I have removed the one off my Landy now, just waiting to find time, and know how to finish the job. Have you started yet? I am ready(ish) to go when you are, have a list of a few bits I know I need just need to get round to it! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Ah, just the post I need to get me of my asre! I'll get the spare box I have out of the back of the 109 and into the garage tomorrow, not an easy job as the previous owner (of the house) built the boiler in the way of the garage door. I NEED A WORKSHOP! I have most of my gearbox spares and will print off the parts and workshop manuals tonight (printer permitting). G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 The tools you'll need are a selection of spanners and sockets for separating the sections and removing covers and plates, a copper and hide mallet, large and medium circlip pliers (for internal and external clips; the pliers need to work in opposite directions for internal or external clips), a razor blade to clean gasket surfaces and a blow torch (plumbers type is fine) to heat the casing for easy insertion of the lay shaft rear bearing race. For the transfer box main shaft pre-load, you'll need some string and an angler's spring balance (the linear weighing scale). I recommend heavy grease rather than gasket sealant on paper gaskets, and be sure to use the Locktite Stud and Bearing seal compound on the joint between the main shaft rear bearing carrier and the main case. If you don't have the LR manual, the Haynes manual is completely accurate (make sure you check the addendum in section 13 for late SIII boxes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Thanks Nick, That's pretty much what I used when I did the series 1 'box, though I found a rubber mallet and a large plastic mallet to be adequate. I've got most of those tools with me, though I may go and buy a torch, as mine is in my old workshop. I'd probably have to change it anyway - I think the regulators are different here. Time for a trip to Machine Mart! I need to go to Cardiff anyway to re-register one of the Landorvers. I have a dislike for RTV type products, and seldom use them, and much prefer LM grease. I was doing the frost plugs on the tdi200 block that went into my 109 and I found at least a foot of RTV in the galleries. As for what came out of the sump! Anyway, the 'box is out of the 109, and most of the way to the "garage" which has been tidied. I've a bench set-up, but the timber I used for the bench was outside and so is soaking wet. Getting the gearbox on the bench will be fun! No engine crane, nor any other conventional lifting device. Ah, well, necessity is....... G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Split the transfer box off on the floor and lift the two bits seperatly, I've given up trying to move them together now. The swap on the 88 which should be happening any day will be done in two goes aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 That's the state I am in with my Series box, transfer box is disassembled, haven't yet examined for wear, so looking forward to this write up very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Success! Gearbox now in the garange, and on the bench in one piece, remarkably, so am I! Result! Some pictures (mainly as a test to see how pictures look on this version of the forum). Heath Robinson (or, for those of an American persuasion, Reuben Garrett Lucius Goldberg) approach to getting Gearbox out of Landrover: And Success! Criterion for success was: no broken stuff) Eventual destination of Gearbox, recently converted compost heap lid on some Lidl metal trestles. And eventually, after using a variety of recycling boxes, and other various steps the gearbox is on the bench (which is sturdier than it looks): One final question, should this have a seperate thread? G. PS: Yes, the dogs ARE evil. Vicious, too - nearly savaged a bloke on the road last weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 PS: Yes, the dogs ARE evil. Vicious, too - nearly savaged a bloke on the road last weekend! Really? they look about as dangerous as lumpy custard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Really? they look about as dangerous as lumpy custard Well if the lumps are sharks..... Anyhoo, yes, a separate thread could be really useful here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Really? they look about as dangerous as lumpy custard They are cowards, the dog barks and worries, meanwhile the bitch (littermate) goes for hamstrings - as I say, vicious. Back from Cardiff, and I have to say, the staff in Machine Mart there are superb, knowledgeable and approachable, it's a pleasant change from some of their other branches. I have purchased a propane torch and a couple of rubber/plastic hammers (have you seen the price of copper hammers?!). I need to find a gas bottle now, and then we'll be off! Anyway - once I get around to disassembling I'll start a new thread, unless someone else starts one first!! G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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