Front diff failure

[ECrider]

Latest update is the diff has the right amount of oil but the oil looks like glitter i.e. many metal parts grinding.

Agent has ordered a replacement axle due to it causing damage of the diff and other possible areas like the half shafts.

Problem is Ineos in dragging their heels sending the part. So much for their marketing spiel talking about shipping parts around the world in 24hrs. On near the end of week 3 without the car. Very disappointed experience so far with the support I'm recieving

Hi. Which dealer did you use for axle swap? I've got issies with my front differential and looks like my now nearest dealer shutting up.

 

[JafUK]

I used Grange in Solihull. Or you could use JT Hughes in Telford

 

[CRH]

I used Grange in Solihull. Or you could use JT Hughes in Telford

Telford has gone, unless they are still providing backup work?

 

[JafUK]

WTF!?
Grange mentioned to me that Ineos may be changing to dealership model instead of agents, but I didn't that would cause it to close. That's a real pity as they seemed to have a lot of Grenadier knowledge

 

[ECrider]

Just spoken to Adventure Automotive in Oxford, they only offer sales there and service is up at their Northampton garage, though you can drop your car in to the Oxford one and pick up a courtesy from there and they will take the Grenadier up to Northampton for you.

They also advise that they will offer the sales for Oxford and south of England from Portsmouth east to Dover. Compass in Bridgewater will cover all sales south and west of them.

So presently my now new local service point is 3 hours / 140 miles away, or 3.5 hours / 151 miles away at Busseys in Attleborough! Granted not big distances to our American and Ozzie brethren but for a densely populated part of the country this seems woeful.

I have enquired about obtaining parts via them and them couriering those to me at my cost - will see how that goes.

The agent also advised that Ineos though reducing the sales network, are investing in the after sales network heavily and that that will become apparent soon. Who knows.....

But for sure my concern for now is where do I get bloody parts from.

 

[Leonidas]

do you have front diff lock on your vehicle ?

 

[Zimm]

So presently my now new local service point is 3 hours / 140 miles away, or 3.5 hours / 151 miles away at Busseys in Attleborough! Granted not big distances to our American and Ozzie brethren but for a densely populated part of the country this seems woeful.

Believe me, it's still a massive time sucking vampire here, but, it is surprising it's that way in GB.

 

[ECrider]

do you have front diff lock on your vehicle ?

Yes I have the axle lockers.

 

[Leonidas]

Quite possible problem would have its origin there?

 

[ECrider]

Quite possible problem would have its origin there?

Possible but don't think likely. It's either locked or not. I may be missing something. Has been engaging disengaging fine. Can't remember if I locked it post replacement, don't think so and if did it was once or twice.

There seems to be quite a few that have had weeping pinion seals and have had replacements and worked.

I thought it was pressure, may have been first time around, but fitted diff breathers since then so hoping faulty part or install. Maybe it's a deeper prob and the bearings are knackered or driveline out of whack etc etc.

 

[NQ94]

Possible but don't think likely. It's either locked or not. I may be missing something. Has been engaging disengaging fine. Can't remember if I locked it post replacement, don't think so and if did it was once or twice.

There seems to be quite a few that have had weeping pinion seals and have had replacements and worked.

I thought it was pressure, may have been first time around, but fitted diff breathers since then so hoping faulty part or install. Maybe it's a deeper prob and the bearings are knackered or driveline out of whack etc etc.

If it has had multiple pinion seals has the preloaded for the pinion bearings become excessive because the crush spacer not been replaced or has been collapsed excessively with multiple retorquing. The other issue pinion has not been torqued enough for reuse not giving enough crush on the spacer and preload on the bearings. The spacer is generally a one use item that deforms during assembly however it is quite often reused when a pinion seal is changed. Some manufacturers do give a reuse pinion nut torque when doing a pinion seal in situ but this is generally once only. The crown wheel and pinion spiral bevel gears have the highest loads and by design want to push apart that is why bearing preloads, backlash and tooth contact is critical.

 

[ECrider]

Getting wet down there. Not driven many miles at all. Will top it up to normal before setting off to get it fixed next week. Thanks @NQ94 on above, will raise with the mechanic.

 

[inky_black]

Getting wet down there. Not driven many miles at all. Will top it up to normal before setting off to get it fixed next week. Thanks @NQ94 on above, will raise with the mechanic.

Hi ECrider,

I had exactly the same problems until yesterday. It is probably due to a blocked or inoperative bleeder valve on the front axle. My front axle also looked exactly the same as yours, in terms of the degree of contamination, which is how it should look on a Grenadier. The bleeder valve was cleaned and made operable, after which no more oil came out. As a precaution, the radial shaft seal was replaced. It is probably a known problem. My workshop said that the breather must be cleaned regularly. I pointed out that it should also be on the maintenance schedule. According to my workshop, Ineos is working on the problem and wants to provide new, modified bleeder valves.

Let's see what happens, we should definitely keep an eye on it

Cheers, inky_black

 

[ECrider]

Hi ECrider,

I had exactly the same problems until yesterday. It is probably due to a blocked or inoperative bleeder valve on the front axle. My front axle also looked exactly the same as yours, in terms of the degree of contamination, which is how it should look on a Grenadier. The bleeder valve was cleaned and made operable, after which no more oil came out. As a precaution, the radial shaft seal was replaced. It is probably a known problem. My workshop said that the breather must be cleaned regularly. I pointed out that it should also be on the maintenance schedule. According to my workshop, Ineos is working on the problem and wants to provide new, modified bleeder valves.

Let's see what happens, we should definitely keep an eye on it

Cheers, inky_black

Tks inky_black. As of this morning I am now on my 3rd front diff pinion seals. I changed the OEM one way valve a few hundred miles after having the pinion seals replaced the first time - changed to 8mm breather pipe (neutral) and ran that together with the rear diff breather into the engine bay. I'll run an airline thru the breather tube later today to make sure no blockage/oil in there. Probably failed the first time due to water crossing and crap OEM design valve, why it failed the second time I have no idea. Hopefully 3rd time lucky . Will revert if anymore news.

 

[Commodore]

Hi ECrider,

I had exactly the same problems until yesterday. It is probably due to a blocked or inoperative bleeder valve on the front axle. My front axle also looked exactly the same as yours, in terms of the degree of contamination, which is how it should look on a Grenadier. The bleeder valve was cleaned and made operable, after which no more oil came out. As a precaution, the radial shaft seal was replaced. It is probably a known problem. My workshop said that the breather must be cleaned regularly. I pointed out that it should also be on the maintenance schedule. According to my workshop, Ineos is working on the problem and wants to provide new, modified bleeder valves.

Let's see what happens, we should definitely keep an eye on it

Cheers, inky_black

This is very good information. Thank you for sharing.