99 Disco II differential seal busted

[tyl604]

Wife just called from out of town. Mechanic says car is not driveable and thinks the differential (front?) seal is busted. Is this an expensive fix? Anything I should know?

[Disco Mike]

For what it is worth, no disrespect towards your wife, but you better call the mechanic and see what exactly is wrong, why did you wife take it into the shop, is it noisy or leaking oil?
Mike

[tyl604]

Had it towed to the mechanic; not sure of the background. Now he says it needs a new transfer case - $1K for a used case and $1K labor. Sound right?

[rmuller]

I paid $350 for my used transfer case that had 500 miles on it. So $1000 sounds WAYYY over priced.. who is this mechanic? Can you find a real rover repair shop?

[Disco Mike]

I am still waiting to hear what happened to it for your wife to have it towed in?
You better jump on this and find out what is really wrong or my crystal ball this mechanic has a sucker for a customer.
Mike

[ArmyRover]

did that transfer case come with a tub of vasoline?

That is way over priced. I have seen used ones as cheap as $200 normally in the 3-400 range though.

I'm with Mike I would like to know what the symptoms are so we can see if he's in the ball park with what he wants to repair.

Transfer case failures aren't that common these trucks from my experience.

[tyl604]

Guys - the plot thickens. Wife drove the truck 32 miles with the Transmission Oil Temperature light on. It quit just as she reached Macon. When they started it the next morning, thinking it could be driven to the indy, something clunked. Transmission gears?? I have no idea what the indy saw when he said needed new transfer case, maybe more is included, but I plan to call him in the AM and possibly stop the process.

Thanks for your input. Good to have a market figure for a used transfer case. However I am wondering now if I have a toasted transmission.

[rmuller]

When you need fair priced, quality used parts, go to Will Tillery.. #1 Community For Land Rover Owners - The Rover Guy

[tyl604]

Mike - talked with my mechanic in Atlanta today. Used transfer case in Atlanta runs $860 up (perhaps this includes some sort of guarantee); he said the $1000 quote was not out of line since it had to be shipped from Atlanta to Macon. His quote was $1540 total but he had not seen the burned wiring (of which I am now informed) near the fusebox. Macon indy said he pulled the plate on the transfer case, it was completely out of oil, and the bearings were gone. The case itself is significantly discolored from heat.

Atlanta indy said we could pull the front driveshaft and drive it to Atlanta. In fact could remove the front driveshaft and drive it from now on and have no four wheel drive. I think this would destroy any resale value.

Think I am at a breakeven. By the time I pay the Macon indy for his time and plus extra to remove the front shaft, then pay the Atlanta $1540 plus extras to replace the burned wiring - I am probably spending almost the same - $2240 - quoted by the Macon indy.

Thanks again for your help.

[rmuller]

Tyl, Did you try an independent that specializes in Land Rovers? Also, call Will Tillery to see how much a transfer case shipped down there would be.

[tyl604]

Guys - got the truck back from the Macon indy today. Runs great; shifts great. There was nothing wrong with the transmission. He replaced the transfer case only. Thanks to you guys, I called Will Tillery and got the case for $400 shipped to Macon. Indy original quote was $2250 for case and labor.

Final cost was $1K to indy for labor and $400 to Will Tillery for the transfer case. So you saved me $850. Cannot thank you enough.

[ArmyRover]

Glad it all worked out.