I have 83000km on my 2006 LR3 which I bought new in Feb, 4 years ago. My warranty just expired. I took my LR3 to the dealer after several warning lights came on and it went into a sort of limp mode; I could shift it triptronically but set to D and it would just stay in 1st or 2nd. So to the shop it went. That was back in December. Well I am sorry to report that it is still there almost 2 months later. So far they have replaced the rear differential and soon they will replacing the front differential, (when the parts come in). I should add that there was a low humming sound all along. Almost like tire noise but actually more pleasant. So the new rear diff fixed the warning lights and limp mode but it didn't solve the noise. The techs at the Calgary dealership used some sonic type instrument to determine that the noise was caused by the front diff, which is why that will soon be changed. I think that will be it for repairs. I hope. I have read a few other threads and it seems like this problem isn't quite as unique as my Calgary guys are letting on. I have contacted LR and they are helping out with the cost somewhat. Basically they are paying for parts which is great but I will still be on the hook for an estimated $5k so I am not very satisfied. I believe the service interval for these differentials is 100000 km! So if we aren't even supposed to check the oil in these things for 100000km, why then doesn't warranty cover them for at least that long? I have expressed these thoughts to several LR dealership's service departments and they agree with me, but LR North America has dug in at paying for the parts and no more. I guess I should be thankful.


I had dreamed of owning a Disco for many many years before I finally bought my LR3 and I was in love with it! I was happy to pay that premium dollar knowing I could have the peace of mind of owning a strong and dependable 4X4. Sadly knowing what I know now, I am not sure I will ever buy another LR. All I can say is, how can 'The greatest off-road truck on earth' have such weak differentials?!!!!!! It is all very disapointing.

My advice to anyone who owns one of these LR3s or is going to buy one is to INSIST that the differentials get serviced or at least inspected BEFORE your warranty is over! I would also advise insisting that the front and rear diffs get oil changes every 50000km. I think that this could have saved me from this let down.

Going foward, if I keep my LR3 long enough, I know I will be changing those oils regularly. Also, I will probably buy an expensive but seemingly compulsary extented warranty asap!

Land Rover, why did you have to let me down!

 

I dont care what any service manual says, or what any tech tells you...the key to long life on ANY mechanical device is preventive maintenance.
I change my differential and transfer case fluid every spring.
It is cheap insurance.
There is no way in hell I would go 62,000 miles without servicing the differentials on my truck.
And at the very least the fluid level MUST be checked every 6 months.
If you want a long lasting less troublesome experience you need to change your fluids more often than LRNA recommends.
Here is what I would recommend for you...
Transmission fluid every 50,000km.
Differentials and transfer case every 30,000km.
Engine oil every 5,000km.
Engine coolant every 2 years no matter the miles.
Brake fluid every 2 years no matter the miles.
Power steering fluid every 50,000km.
Check the air filter at every other oil change to see if it is dirty and replace as needed.

The diff's are not weak if taken care of, mine have 200,000 miles on them.

 

Sounds like it's the other way around. If you don't do the required maintenance, of course parts will fail. Land Rover is not at fault in these cases. The negligent owner is.

 

I installed a new set of this standard. gear. My left side told me to run this. fluid instead of fat. I ran into the truck this weekend and I had no problem with the gears, but I stayed on the ground. I really hope to resolve this OFNA. gear. Otherwise, I cut my loses and go with Savage and MT in the field is not just fun.