| Author | Message | ||
     D. Howell (Blackandtan) Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 68 Registered: 04-2003 |
I'm lucky in that I have access to two 'known commodity' repair shops - one is a great LR specialist (not at a dealer), and I also have access to a trusted 4x4-and-other-cars mechanic I've gone to for a long time prior to getting my Disco. In planning for repairs and maintenance for my 'new' '96, I would appreciate your opinions on whether it's really best to avoid non-LR mechanics entirely for 'basic' things like brake pad replacements, oil changes, (anything else minor you'd suggest)? Or whether a good mechanic probably won't muck up the works doing this kind of thing. (Parts costs not part of the question.) I would like to have my old mechanic do whatever basic things are prudent, but would rely on the LR specialist for anything major - even oil leaks, scheduled maintenance, etc. *However* I understand LRs are finicky and specialized, and I'm not going to go anywhere but the LR specialists until I hear feedback from you guys... thanks. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2421 Registered: 02-2002 |
Do it yourself.  Seriously, Land Rovers are easy enough to work on. Get the workshop manual. Do what you can yourself. If you can't/don't have time, a good mechanic with you manual in hand should be able to handle anything. Oil changes, simple. Brakes, simple. Shoot, I had my older daughter, when she was 11, pulling the slave cylinder out from under my Rover... they're that easy to work on. Sure, you might want to use someone more familiar with Rovers to deal with valve issues, pinion seals, and troubleshooting those "Rover quirks"... but a competent mechanic should be able to handle them, too. IMHO, FWIW..... -L | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 101 Registered: 03-2003 |
I would take to it to a Non LR mechanic if it was just a few minor things you want to have done you would be surprised at the fact that they have probably seen a few other rovers in the past. | ||
| Brent (Silly_me) New Member Username: Silly_me Post Number: 28 Registered: 07-2003 |
I'm lucky enough to have a specialty shop that works primarily on euro cars in my neck of the woods, any major work I wouldn't want to tackle would be handled by them for my cars. Heck, they were servicing rangies before the dealer network was established here | ||
| Perrone Ford (Perroneford) Member Username: Perroneford Post Number: 185 Registered: 02-2003 |
I've had non-LR shops do my AC, Transmission, and other things. I have been perfectly satisfied. The more knowledgeable you are about your own truck, the more confident they are about helping you out. In a recent instance, a local shop was having trouble with my failure to get fuel to the motor, and they couldn't makes heads or tails of the wiring. I asked what they needed and they said what they really needed as a wiring diagram. So I brought them the electrical troubleshooting manual, and they had the problem sorted out in about 3 hours. In another instance, I had a broken U-Joint. I walked into a driveshaft shop for trucks, and buses. They asked what it came out of, I said a LR and the guys eyes glazed over! I smiled, and then told him it was nothing but a spicer U-Joint, and he said, "Oh, well that's easy then". I gave him the spicer euqivalent number, he picked it off the shelf, and I had two new Ujoints on my driveshaft in 40 minutes. The unitiiated see these trucks as something exotic. They aren't. In most cases, they use parts that are common to other common euro vehicles or even domestic vehicles. My local shop now is not afraid to work on either of my LR's. The mechanics know they can call me if they have an issue, and we can work it out together. In a recent bout to get my fan clutch off, I took it to them, an they found that the tool they use to take the fan clutch off a Ford is exactly the same. Had it off in 3 minutes. So yes, I'd let a local shop wrench my truck. But for most things, I do it myself unless it requires specialized tools, skills, or knowledge. -P | ||
| D. Howell (Blackandtan) Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 79 Registered: 04-2003 |
Brilliant. Thanks. I'll divvy the work between the shops, and maybe (MAYBE!) attempt some myself. Maybe. And, I'll hope there won't be too much to divvy. | ||
| trevor griffiths (Trevorgriffiths) Member Username: Trevorgriffiths Post Number: 131 Registered: 11-2002 |
Wouldn't the sparks from a (electric) motor cause a fire if you added fuel? I add fuel to an (internal combustion)engine and that seems okay! LOL | ||
| Terry Christmas (Cornfed3) New Member Username: Cornfed3 Post Number: 17 Registered: 06-2003 |
Just replaced coolant pump, thermostat and Serp. Belt on my 00 DII. The annoying part was having to take off all the plastic shrouds/covers. I borrowed the shop manual from a friend, which made everything much easier. After changing the S-Belt, she ran much quieter and smoother. If for any reason you have a coolant leak onto your belt, I recommend replacing the belt. That antifreeze is some wicked stuff. | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 107 Registered: 03-2003 |
I don't know if i would let a Non LR Mechanic work on my rovers Transmission maybe thats just personal preference. | ||
| Perrone Ford (Perroneford) Member Username: Perroneford Post Number: 190 Registered: 02-2003 |
Why Brian? The damn thing isn't a LR transmission anyway, it's German. The same •••••• is installed in BMW's, Puegot's, Volvos, and a other makes of car... LR makes damn few of the parts that actually go into your vehicle. | ||
| Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco) Senior Member Username: Offroaddisco Post Number: 1440 Registered: 04-2002 |
Brian, your transmission is likely a ZF. Same as many other vehicles out there. Nothing fancy with the transmission either. | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 113 Registered: 03-2003 |
well then, why not. | ||
| Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco) Senior Member Username: Offroaddisco Post Number: 1441 Registered: 04-2002 |
I'm a little slow this morning I'm not sure if this link will work but if it does you'll notice the 4HP22 listed on the site. http://www.zf.com/kst827/zf_produktdb/produkt_prod.asp?langID=2&doSendAnwend1=1& anwendID=18&doSendBereich=1&bereichID=null&doSendFelder=1&geschaeftsfeldID=null& doSendProd1=1&prod1ID=6&doSendProd2=1&prod2ID=7 |
