When you went to check your struts what did you find?
Both struts loose
7%
7%
[40]
Left strut loose
1%
1%
[10]
Right strut loose
37%
37%
[202]
Both struts tight
52%
52%
[283]
Total Votes: 535
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
The issue is very well known by the dealer channel (or should be). It was part of an enhancement program LR did on all D3's and RRS waaay back in the day.
The nuts should be checked and a locking glue applied from what I recall.
28th Dec 2007 1:58 pm
sidney
Member Since: 08 Dec 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 374
Mines an 05, doesnt look like its had anything done. Wish Id seen this thread earlier, but wasnt expecting anything to fall off 2 weeks after it went went throught he workshop prior to being sold. Oh well, happens! They couldnt tell me how long it would take to sort.They were pretty helpfull though and fitted me in next week, and are going to sort me out with an auto freelander2 due to leg problems (ie they dont work!). Cant tow with it which is a bit of a pain as I need to move my digger around a bit next week, but could be worse. Dad has been making noises about buying a freelander 2 so at least we can can give that a good going over to help him make up his mind.
28th Dec 2007 2:37 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
simon wrote:
The issue is very well known by the dealer channel (or should be). It was part of an enhancement program LR did on all D3's and RRS waaay back in the day.
The nuts should be checked and a locking glue applied from what I recall.
Well they certainly missed mine!!!
Found out on my 05 in Oct when washing between the tailgate.
It was the RH one and it was out a good way, but I was able to tighten up without any damage.
Brought to dealers attention when booked in for service and asked [as they had missed this one] to check that all other enhancements had been done.
They did!
BUT, in doing so, they overwrote my performance upgrade!!!
...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
When I am back after the xmas break I'll go in and see the guy who heads up fastener standards in Gaydon, find the part number and see what locking patch if any is specified. If they are using a fluid locktite then it is a dealer fix, they do not usually use this lineside
I can't remember the exact number or scheme, but the factory (i am told by the guys their) get a list of warranty issues, the one with the most reported issues (cost) gets the most attention. As my company produce coatings and locking system for the fasteners we get call in to advise.
In years gone by, you would have a locking washer or patch on every fastener, these days for cheapness they only put them on fasteners which are likley to come undone, this means they miss a few. And we have up spec'd a few on Disco 3, I would have thought LR would have fixed this by now, as we are working on problems with L359 at present.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
28th Dec 2007 5:41 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
The problem is caused by the tendency of the tailgate strut to rotate the post counter-clockwise as the tailgate raises. The post seems to slowly undo over time.
The weight of the tailgate hides the loose post. Only when you lift the tailgate up against the extreme travel of the strut does the fault become apparent. The left hand post does not undo, as the tendency is for the strut to tighten it as the tailgate raises. Why the right hand strut is not tightened up by the closing tailgate I don't know, but I'm sure there is a scientific reason for this.
On mine, there was no locking device visible, and the loose post eventually ripped the fastener out of the bodywork. The surrounding metal was also very fatigued, and required a reinforcing patch on the inside of the pillar.
I reckon a simple star washer would have held it. Once it has failed, or become loose I suspect loctite will only be effective if the whole thing is degreased properly. As its difficult to access the captive nut, then this may be the reason some struts are coming loose again.
I check mine regularly, and it still needs nipping up once a month or so.
28th Dec 2007 5:51 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
Oddly, looking at the results of the pole [on this thread] it seems it's specific to the Right strut.
Why would that be - a skiver on the production line maybe?
edit: just saw your post there Gareth, maybe that explains it.
Both struts loose
6% [16]
Left strut loose
0% [2]
Right strut loose
39% [94]
Both struts tight
53% [127]
Total Votes: 239...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
Last edited by ronp on 28th Dec 2007 5:55 pm. Edited 1 time in total
28th Dec 2007 5:53 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
Laws of physics Ron
28th Dec 2007 5:54 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
I think G just explained it ron
Will check mine in the daylight tomorrow as its now out of warranty for the next 4-5 weeks of ownership.
It could be a number of reason that allow the movement of the tailgate to turn it, however it should not come loose in the first place.
I am guessing, [although I see if I can go down the line and have a look.] that the power tool they are using is the same for both sides, the method they will be working on is torque and angle. the special bolt will be from the same source, as will the washer, so it must be the body work on the one side.
I have just been outside and checked mine - both tight, there are a number of possible failure points, the first area for LR to check is the jig that holds the nut plate onto the body panel. it looks to me, the fastener is squeezing the body panel and nut plate together, and before they are tight up against each other it is reaching torque, the supposing locking angle is then applied.
This has left the fastener susceptible to torque relaxation as the body panel flexes slightly though use.
If the fastener is UK sourced I'll get hold of a few hundred and patch them.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
28th Dec 2007 6:31 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
Shiny Moose, this thread is coming the full circle have you read the first few posts in the thread? I think your theory about torque relaxation is correct, and you have come up with the possible reason
What I do not understand is why it has not been fixed, I know it cost circa £5k to change a part number on a drawing, but that is nothing compared to warranty costs.
When I am back at work I'll get some tech bod to check the torque off, to see if mine have relaxation issues starting to occur.
In theory the bolt should be done up to (clamping load) 75% of the proof load for the property class of bolt. I will let you know what I find out the tail end of next week
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
28th Dec 2007 9:17 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
I don't - just interested to find out
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
28th Dec 2007 9:35 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
happens! They couldnt tell me how long it would take to sort.They were pretty helpfull though and fitted me in next week, and are going to sort me out with an auto freelander2 due to leg problems (ie they dont work!). Cant tow with it which is a bit of a pain as I need to move my digger around a bit next week, but could be worse. Dad has been making noises about buying a freelander 2 so at least we can can give that a good going over to help him make up his mind.
but on topic...
