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Background

My 2009 V8 LR3 has done around 150k km. It has a permanent 4WD system.

I have no record of prior drivetrain-related maintenance.

Question

If I have to prioritize which diff's fluid to replace first (due to wear and tear), which one should it be?

Should it be:

  • the rear diff, as it is always transmitting torque to the wheels from the engine, or

  • the front diff, since it is sees more difference in rotational speed across the two output shafts (induced by steering), or

  • both, because diff fluid degradation is related to other causes?

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  • What year is your LR3? – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦ Jan 3 '18 at 17:43
  • It's a 2009, the last year they made it I believe – Zaid Jan 3 '18 at 17:45
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    Are the axles & differential gears still turning even when the 4X4 is not engaged? – CharlieRB Jan 3 '18 at 17:51
  • That's a good question. What's a good practical way to verify that? – Zaid Jan 3 '18 at 17:54
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    I suppose you could jack up the front and turn the wheels to see. I am not familiar with Land Rovers. Personally, I would just change them both to ensure they are good to go. – CharlieRB Jan 3 '18 at 21:12
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All three - front, back and transfer box/centre diff. As it's a permanent 4WD system, all three diffs are in constant use, so if you've got no record of them being changed, it's probably worth doing all of them.

Saying that, what does the service schedule recommend?

I can't remember if the Discovery 3 still has traditional 'swivels' on the front axle, but if it does, I'd also recommend at least checking the oil/grease level in those.

Edit - I've just found that my local Land Rover specialist has a guide to servicing on their website:

Keith Gott Service Schedule

Key points here are:

60 months/ 75k miles:

  • Renew transfer box oil, replace drain and fill plug washers
  • Renew locking differential oil

120 months / 150k miles:

  • Renew manual gearbox oil
  • Renew automatic transmission oil and filter
  • Renew transfer box oil, replace drain and fill plug washers
  • Renew front and rear axle oil
  • Renew locking differential oil

So at roughly 93k miles, you don't actually need to do the axles yet, but you should do the transfer box and centre diff if it hasn't been done.

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  • I don't have the service schedule handy at the moment, when I have it I'll update this post – Zaid Jan 4 '18 at 10:21
  • @Zaid I've found a schedule online - see edit - though that's for UK, so yours might vary being in a hotter environment – Nick C♦ Jan 4 '18 at 10:29
  • The Discovery 1 was the last of the "traditional 'swivels'". There is no oil or grease to check at the hubs from the Discovery 2 onward. The bearing is also a single hub unit that bolts onto the hub carrier, so nothing to service there also. – HandyHowie Mar 20 '18 at 13:08

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