Right after posting, came across this:
http://australiancar.reviews/_pdfs/SB-10069796-0699.pdf
Looks like a really simple fix. Is anyone else's LR4 having this issue?
"Install the damper and bolt to the vacant threaded hole in the transfer case."
To the 'VACANT THREADED HOLE"?!!
Amazes me, really it does, the laziness and the bad decision making here, that is. I am quite sure that this is what was installed in my '13 to cure the vibration appearing at high freeway speeds.
The reason I say laziness and bad decision making on TATA-LR's part is because at the time the shop foreman told me that this part, if this is really what he was referring to (which I think he was as I vaguely remember him showing it to me, and I remember it being in black color), actually used to come already installed in the previous model years but LR had stopped installing it as an attempt to reduce the weight of the vehicle.
Hence the reason for this very conveniently already existing "vacant and threaded" hole, and their solve to put the damn thing back on there where it belonged to begin with.
I mean, the engineers, after their extensive testing at various speeds, must have put the damper there for a reason, but the suits must have decided to get rid of it thinking that a very small percentage of customers may notice this refinement/optimization part and/or will drive LR4 at such speeds, hence according to this TSB the action is to be taken only "In the event of a customer concern of the above".
I remember at the time my shop foreman (one single individual working for LR service here that I could actually vouch for for being really talented, very patient, great troubleshooter, and extremely helpful) mentioned the same following possible cause of vibration as stated on this TSB to the field engineer while discussing this issue:
"This may be caused by powertrain torsion mode where the transfer box is effectively twisting on..... the transmission."
Unfortunately, and good for him, he is no longer at the Service department and has moved up to being a field engineer and I have lost contact with him, otherwise I would have asked him about this.
As I have already mentioned somewhere else, who knows what other important optimization parts/seals/protective, silencer or NVH reducer rubber strips, etc, the suits may actually have gotten rid of based on their study of the percentage factor for the potential reported concerns caused by those decidedly missing in action parts.
The SCV6 was more important to be shoved into the bay of this heavy beast (vs the V8) for those assembly line costs reductions, for these jokers at TATA. And the underpowered motor may also have triggered the imminent need to lighten up the truck by downright removing parts vs actually getting off their fat lazy asses and redesigning them.
Oh, while on the subject of available choices after stripping LR4 of its V8 (which was just sufficient enough and not really a powerhouse for the 3 tons), it was really the RRS according to TATA which was actually in such a desperate need for that TDV6, right?
If there was one single model in the entire lineup that could have benefited for real from that TDV6 after the the removal of the V8, it was LR4.
I know I've got an 8-speed in there now and maybe a different design compered to my former '13 6-speed, but still just out of curiosity I will try to take a look underside of my '16 tomorrow just to see what is (or isn't) there now
Practically have zero expectations from the current crew at TATA/LR. Cant wait to see the next innovation in the business of 25 inch rims and automotive ovens in the cargo area, from this joint.
