Well, I feel it is time to finally concede defeat and admit that my Jackaroo is not the best vehicle to do even average 4wding in. Here's the story.
Bought it a year ago, paid for an extended manufacturers warranty for 3 years (just under $1000).
First week the speedo stops working - need a new transducer. $750. Covered by warranty.
Couple of months later, rear window winding mechanism just breaks beyond repair. Needs a new one. Cost - $350. Covered by warranty. Rear window hardly ever gets used.
Last September, go and do the
Border Track. A bit of
water and mud. Sand and
water gets into the clutch housing. Didn't even know the
water reached up to the clutch housing. How it got in don't know. Result - $1600. (Warranty company made a token payment of $260 for the slave cylinder.
Same trip, got sand and
water into the alternator. Being high tech, cost $700. Warranty company not interested because of abuse. Can't prove otherwise.
About 3 weeks ago start hearing hum coming from what sounds like geabox or diff. 3rd, 4th and 5th gears. Gets worse. Checked out the other day, got sand and grit in the rear diff. How -
well apparently there is a rubber seal to keep stuff out. Then there is the main seal, which should let oil out but nothing else in.
Well it does let other stuff in. Before you ask, I have decent breather hoses and they are operating
well.
Result - $600 work, have to pay $40 for disposables. Fair enough. Warranty co will pay the rest.
What have I learnt from all this?
Well I thought my Jackaroo was a lemon, but speaking to the mechanic he has seen heaps which have had similar and other problems. Things fail (like the diff) which should not happen until at least 300000km.
Mine has only done 80000km. It seems that Jackaroos were not built very
well. I know the earlier ones were crap, but it seems the design quality has transferred to the later models (just look at the injector seal saga).
I take back the previous recommendations I have made re buying Jackaroos.
Tip no. 1 - buy a Prado or Pajero instead if that's the market your in.
Tip no. 2 - always get an extended manufacturers warranty if you can. It has saved me thousands.
Tip no 3 - to all you Jackaroo owners out there, keep an eye on the above matters I have told you of. Check your diff oil regularly (although
mine showed to be completely pure) and check around the diff seals to see if any crud seems to be building up and seeping in. Don't take your Jack into
water past way the
wheels, especially muddy
water, as
water, dirt and sand can easily penetrate the clutch housing.
Re the post 18629, take care especially in sand.
Sorry to post such a negative post, but it is reality.
For now I will have to make do because of finances due to a 5 month old and another one on the way! But come the end of my warranty, it may be time to pack it in and get a Prado.
D-Jack