D1 Manual or Auto Transmission?

[ShaunP]

Mainshaft failure has nothing to do with ATF but is as a result of LR changing from roller bearings to Timken taper bearings in the Transfer case (230T) T stands for taper bearings. These bearings by nature pump oil away from the shaft ,it runs dry and the splines shear off at round 60-80k miles common fault many were retro fitted here under warrenty. This was also a problem on LT77S 5 speeds that were fitted to Discos prior to 94. The problem with ATF is that the syncros, bearings and gear teeth wear. LR changed to MTF in 97/98. My dad has a 97 TDI and the book says AFT but LR changed to MTF at the first service. R380 boxes are still fitted to 04 Discos for Australian spec, Auto is an extra cost option on base model TD5 and v8 here, but we do get a centre diff lock as standard due mainly to pressure from buyers and local 4x4 magazines saying that the cars were crap without it.

 

[dent]

so should i drain and start using MTF from here on in then?
take care
sam

 

[ShaunP]

Yep 75/80 gl4 MTF, Castrol Syntrans works well if you can get it in the US, when you put the new box in did you fitt a drilled input gear in the transfer case? If not you will wear out another main-shaft for sure.

 

[PCFRover]

Just came accross this thread and glad I did. What a great source of info on the 5 speed Manual! Thanks to all this info I now know exactly what is going on with mine.

If the 230T causes the ****** to wear out it's shaft, does anything go bad in the xfer case at the same time? Or will fixing the transmission cure all?