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Bad Front Differential

Old Feb 19, 2026 | 11:27 AM
  #11  
GavinC's Avatar
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Joined: May 2021
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From: Kirkland WA
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Yes. I would do a fluid change first off.

Front diff service interval is 105k miles but given the cost of these big bits of hardware I've taken a more proactive approach.

Oil looked like caramel in the front diff, and was blacker than a Spinal Tap album cover on the rear. I'm doing it again soon.

Low cost simple DIY that might save you a few thousand. I am by default, suspicious of a dealer's diagnostic skillset. I have been singularly unimpressed by LR at my local dealership's service dept.

Front Diff fluid
Front Diff fluid
Front Diff. Simple drain and fill.
Front Diff. Simple drain and fill.



"Smell the glove" on the rear

 

Last edited by GavinC; Feb 19, 2026 at 11:28 AM.
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 12:02 PM
  #12  
dsallean's Avatar
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From: Houston, TX
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This gives me anxiety about the time the dealership told me years ago my LR4 needed a new front diff, which I had an independent shop replace. Noise still there. Turned out it was a bad front wheel bearing.
 
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 01:17 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Can_Glu
Sorry to hear it.
Is your rear diff open or with a locker?
I honestly don’t remember, I never look or mess with those things.
 
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 01:41 PM
  #14  
CincyRovers's Avatar
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From: Cincinnati, OH
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Originally Posted by Fender110
I honestly don’t remember, I never look or mess with those things.
All you need to do is look at the 4x4i menu. If there is a padlock symbol over the rear differential, then you have the rear locker. It is included as part of the Off-Road Pack.
 
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 01:43 PM
  #15  
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Yes that I know I just don’t have the truck. Is still at the dealer
 
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 02:38 PM
  #16  
Sir Lands-a-lot's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2025
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From: Down Under
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Apologies for resurrecting this post.
I have read through this thread and this one with regards to the thud/shudder from the drive train.
My symptoms are somewhat exactly as mentioned in the first post of this thread and similar to what is described elsewhere, but with the exception that mine does not have the rear locking diff.
Doing a left turn after a stop is most often the cause of the thud I can feel.
Would a diff oil change also in my case solve the issue? 2021 P400 and 60k km (38k miles)
I have 4 months of warranty left, so I'd rather have this addressed before I run out in case something more serious is lurking.
 
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