Noisy transfer box on 75 series land cruiser

Submitted: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 22:57
ThreadID: 118916 Views:6146 Replies:8 FollowUps:7
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I've got a 1993 75 series land cruiser troopy with 320,000kms on the clock. It's a great machine, but I've got some concerns about the front transfer boxes. When I'm in high range, they are very noisy when I get over 50km/h.

There is a pretty bad rumble as if the gear teeth are rattling past each other, and some whining as if bearings are worn. It also clunks a lot when I change gears.

I've asked my mechanic about this a few times, and he hasn't said there is a problem. However, I've got a big trip coming up, and I don't want it to die on me when I'm a thousand kms from a mechanic.

In your experience, is this just normal for a troopy, and it'll go for another 100,000, or do I need to get it fixed?

Thanks in advance.
Rob
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Reply By: swampfox - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 01:45

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 01:45
HI
At 300,000kms and above anything is possible but difficult to diagnose over the internet. The history of the vehicle will give some idea of expected life span .
Suggest u take it to a g/box overhaul shop and have them test drive on and offroad .
Check also front and rear tailshaft splines ,universal joints diff centre pinion bearings . While your there check cv for noise ,wheel brg service last service, and swivel hub condition .
Sounds like the 75 needs a thorough inspection by somebody else .
If u want to ask a testing question and have a laugh, question your mechanic ask how he sets up the swivel hub bearings . Sorry had to mention this ha ha ha ..

cheers swampfox
AnswerID: 553989

Follow Up By: Member - DrRob - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 12:32

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 12:32
Thanks, guys. I'll get it looked at. I'm not much of a mechanic myself - I prefer wood!
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 07:20

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 07:20
Check out thread 117867, Rob. Might have some bearing (:-)) on your possible problem?

Bob

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Follow Up By: Member - DrRob - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 12:35

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 12:35
I searched for this thread and nothing came up... :-(
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 13:19

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 13:19
I'd say I gave you the wrong thread number? Try 117893, :-)

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Reply By: racinrob - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 08:32

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 08:32
Rob.
You're lucky to get to get 320Ks up without problems, the transfer case on my 75 series had been rebuilt twice by the time I reached 320Ks. Initially I carried a slide on then towed an off road caravan, working quite hard off road. The clicking you hear is the transfer case telling you things are not all good.
My mate has a boat transfer business and uses a '94 Troopie, he has the transfer case done every 100,000 Ks as a precaution.
My mechanic advised me to use a transmission oil additive as well as changing the oil every 20Ks.

Rob.
AnswerID: 553996

Reply By: pop2jocem - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 10:33

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 10:33
Rob,

I have no idea where your mechanical skills are on a scale of 1 to 10. 10 being master mechanic with an honours degree in Toyota and 1 being....let's say, anything more complex than checking the oil and water is best left to someone else. If you tend to be closer to 1 than 10 maybe best you take the previous advice and take it to a trusted mechanic. That's assuming you can find one.
If you feel like getting a bit more up close and personal with your Troopy, you could try crawling underneath and dropping the oil out of the gearbox and transfer case. If nice clean non metallic oil comes out, you may be lucky. If enough internal parts come out with the oil it could give you a clue as to whether your upcoming trip should be postponed until further investigation.
Maybe a good time to also drop the oils out of the front and rear diff while you are at it if they haven't been changed for a while.
While you are under there, give the drive shafts a good shake to check for excessive play. Obviously things like wheel bearings should get a good looking at.

Cheers
Pop
AnswerID: 554005

Follow Up By: Member - 2517. - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 12:54

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 12:54
I would say the Case Harding has came off the bottom sharf and gone through the box and you need a complete new transfer case ,quite common in that model.
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Reply By: 906 - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 17:17

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 17:17
Hi
I had a 1992 ,75 Troupcarrier with the same problem , only mine was noisy at 100,000 kms
I steered clear of change over boxes and transfer cases and had mine rebuilt , new main shaft new bearings and 3 new gears and syncros , and the seal kit that goes between the transfer case and the gear box , the oil runs out of the gear box and into the transfer case , you end up with low oil in the gear box and too much in the transfer case $900.00
Then found that the LSD was noisy as well , just couldn't hear it over the gear box noise .

Colin


AnswerID: 554015

Reply By: Member - Trouper (NSW) - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 17:56

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 17:56
My Troopie had a noisy bearing s in the T/case at 190,000 km. The average Mechanic (and there are a lot of them around) doesn't want to work on 4wd's as there are a lot of things that are different to a normal car and they dont want to know. I took mine to a specialist Gear and diff service. just a noisy bearing but a 'kit' was put thru it and all good If I cant do the work myself I only use a mechanics that specialise in 4wd's Eg. My son took his 80 series to an average mechanic to have the rear axle seals done, He over tightened the studs when replacing the axles, 3 weeks later.... Bang no drive to the back wheels. My son phoned me re the problem (I live 300km away) I knew immediately what he had done, and phoned the mechanic and told him a few things. My son took it back to him and he replaced the studs at no charge and checked the correct torque setting before proceeding...all good now with now further trouble. My son took my advise and now only uses a specialist 4wd mechanic

jeff
AnswerID: 554017

Reply By: swampfox - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 22:37

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 22:37
hi
Mechanics typically only get paid minimal earning around $30/hr would be a dream for most .Some dealers are only paying 20 something /hr
Pathetic wages
A 4wd is only a light truck or typical of vehicles from years ago .
This all used to be taught in your apprenticeship together with truck diesel ,aircon, applied electrics, driveline etc etc
A combination of laziness /lack of interest due to poor wages is the real culprit .

cheers swampfox
AnswerID: 554033

Follow Up By: GREG T11 - Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 19:09

Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 19:09
Sounds like someone wants to pay more for his car maintenance .
I know a fair few independent 1 or 2 man shows and the OWNERS would be pushing to get 35 an hour for themselves on a good day, either that or they hide their wealth well ! The mining mentality has got to stop soon or someone flipping burgers won't work for less than 30 bucks as well .
When as a dealer mechanic you don't have contact with the customer, not having to cop the abuse for your lack of attention to detail what do you think will happen . That's what the service manager is paid the big bucks for, highly trained in the art of b/s served up as gospel .
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Follow Up By: swampfox - Friday, May 22, 2015 at 16:42

Friday, May 22, 2015 at 16:42
Hi
in my area painters $30/hr full time
electricians $38/hr fulltime 25y.o.
As I have been a worker and an Employer I can see both sides .
The tax dept lists an average wage at around $65,000 .
You need 65 a year to survive with the current prices of food etc and particularly if u have a family electricity etc etc
A fair wage , not even close to a minning wage .
The overheads of a mechanical business are very high mainly due to the larger costs.
Will not even talk about the wholesale cost of parts . The wholesalers are not even aware that a recession is happening .Mark ups are random and price increases are huge and unevenly spread .
With the greed and the monopolys that happen in this country it is no surprise retailers are going thru the hoop .

regards Swampfox

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FollowupID: 840050

Follow Up By: pop2jocem - Friday, May 22, 2015 at 19:45

Friday, May 22, 2015 at 19:45
When you have an average trady earning say $35/hr. No overtime, and lets say a 38 hr week.

Round figures, about 70 grand a year.

Then of course all the insurance to cover this guy hitting his own finger, hitting someone else's finger or making a complete stuff up of the job he is doing, public liability, etc etc.
Let's not forget building/shop rent, insurance, etc etc, vehicle purchase, lease, running costs.
Then of course the employer has to contribute to this persons retirement fund.
Then let's throw in 4 weeks paid annual leave, 10 days paid sick leave, another 10 days public holidays.

Never could figure out why businesses charge such exorbitant hourly rates.
I suspect the owners have the temerity to expect their businesses to actually provide a liveable wage for themselves.

The cheek.
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FollowupID: 840058

Reply By: Member - Alastair D (NSW) - Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 15:48

Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 15:48
Rob,
as suggested above, if the noise is obvious then get it sorted. I have a 94 troopy and have no significant noise at 394K other than the general wine of the drive train. I certainly would not head off on a trip if the noise is worrying you. My experience with this vehicle is that the g/box and transfer is quite quiet for its age. I had a rear axle pinion seal go once in wet gritty conditions and it quickly let me know.

As said whilst generally these drive trains are reliable they need attention at the first sign of unusual noises. Leaving it only makes the problems worse and more to fix.
AnswerID: 554052

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