2007 LR3 front differential ?

[rs7trout]

Took the LR3 into the shop-independent Rover shop. LR3 has about 150,000 miles on it--they indicated that the front differential was starting to make a bit of noise not bad but starting--fluid looks clean.

The are doing the 150,000 mile tune up--no other problems--car runs great!

So the question is--wait for the differential or bit the bullet and have it replaced? Shope simply indicated that eventually it will be a problem (hell eventually everything is a problem!!)

Any thoughts??

Thanks
Ron

 

[Houm_WA]

Tough one....won't hurt anything to change the fluid now and wait to change out the diff, or just change it now and save the $ you would have spent on new fluid. Only benefit of changing the fluid and waiting is that perhaps new oil makes the diff quiet down and maybe you don't really need to change it.

I thought later year LR3s didn't have diff issues.

 

[rs7trout]

Thanks! Yeah that's kind of what I'm thinking--so having new fluid put in---and will see what happens. I've heard that when the diff goes it can go out really quickly without any real warning--that's the part that worries me going on a longer trip--if anyone has any thoughts on that would like to hear! So is there any real noticeable indication that the diff is going to take a nose dive real soon??

 

[ktm525]

If you are lucky it should just get louder and louder until you can't ignore it anymore

 

[rs7trout]

Thanks!That would be what I'd be hoping for!!!

 

[douglastic]

Also make sure you have the updated (larger) Front Diff Breather - LR019450

Visible between radiator and coolant expansion tank
Easy, cheap, 2 minute install

 

[Houm_WA]

I've never heard of any diff "sudden death." I've heard the opposite....that it just gets louder and louder. In fact I have never heard of any total failure and/or what happens in that instance and I've been on these message boards for almost 15 years.

 

[rs7trout]

Thanks!! that's what I wanted to hear!! I can live with noise for awhile if it decides to give up--at least until I could get it replaced--just didn't want to be left out on the road or dirt somewhere!!

 

[mflecklr3]

Anything before 2009 is probably going to develop Noisy Diff Syndrome. There's a coating on the inside of the housing that flakes off over time. My advice would be to start doing your own fluid changes on the diffs so you can see what sticks to the drain plug or ends up in the drain pan. Increase how often you change the gear oil.

 

[rs7trout]

Thank You!! Just had it serviced along with 150,000 mile service--next time I'll change myself per your suggestions!!