Stuck in Dakhla looking for a tranny
 

We have a Defender 110 that lost its tranny and has stranded us in Dakhla. Wondering if anyone knows a good source for Land Rover parts in Morocco or Western Sahara. I called SMEIA who deal with Land Rover here, but they claim to be unable to help unless we are in Casablanca or Marrekech. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Graham

In the UK a tranny is slang for a transvestite. Certainly an interesting choice of travelling companion! I'm not sure Land Rover stock them!

On a more serious note, I'd try Land Rover in Gib and get them to DHL: Capurro Overseas Project Sales Ltd. 20 Line Wall Road, PO Box 130, Gibraltar

Tel: (+350) 52003/52004
Fax: (+350) 52005
Email: sales@cops.gi

CTC thanks for the tip on both counts. The transvestite in my landy is fine -- I need that gearbox thingy.

I have an email off to Project Sales.

cheers

Graham

Here comes the flood but my advice would be:

Take it out - see what's wrong, order the parts from wherever and DHL them in. Get a local mechanic to work it out if (like me) you cant tell a duff gearbox from a lunchbox. All gearboxes are pretty similar in operation, aren't they?

Are you sure it cant be driven in 4th? A mate drove back from Libya (LT77) in only 4th (low and high range). 4th is direct drive I'm told - something to do with the layshaft?? so everything else can be knacked but 4th will drive.

Or, take it out and take it up to Casa in a bush taxi or bus for a recon exchange - expensive but may be quicker.

or, get someone on the forum whose coming down to bring you one from Casa - Plenty of traffic this time of year.
Could be pricey with no exchange tho' - you may have to drive back up to hand the old box in to get a refunded deposit (that's how its done in the UK with recons).

Doubt you will find anything in Dakhla or Layounne. Need to go up north or get parts down there

Better Dakhla than the Beach Piste with the tide coming in!

Chris S

weak point = output shaft from gearbox (input shaft to transfer box). Splines wear on poorly lubed part which lies just inside transfer box. Might be able to verify this from inspection plates on transfer box altho box removal necessary for replacement.

Contact Garage Mondial (Abdi) in Dakhla, he is very helpful and efficient.

Albert

Erraji Nourdine in Erfoud is good with Landies and can get bits within a couple of hours.

Thanks to all for the advise. Things are not happening fast as can be expected. The oil pump in the gearbox is what gave out, so all gears work right now, but, since none are lubricated, they are grinding themselves into oblivion. And just for the Toyota fans out there, this gearbox has 19000km since new. The Land Rover warrenty covered 12000km!

In case you ever need to know, Dakhla airport has no customs office, so cannot receive international shipments. The airport at Laayoune can.

On the upside, it looks like Land Rover Magazine wants to publish my story of woe, so Ill get 5 minutes of fame for my trouble!!

Graham

I was just talking to someone about this - 19000km even on an LR gearbox is pretty bad.
Were you running ATF as you're supposed to, or maybe you changed to 90W gearbox oil, thinking that it would be 'better for Africa' (something I was about to do).
I'm told that gearboxes with oil pumps (incl. LR 77 and 380) need the thinness of ATF. Running with EP90 or similar will be nice and smooth for a while, but the thickness will not get to all the right bits when cold (like over-thick engine oil) and eventually it will wear the whole thing out.

Dont know what I'm talking about, of course. just what I'm told. Sounds plausible.

Ch

Chris,

Nope, I was running ATF. And nice expensive synthetic ATF since 12000km!! The truck was built in 2001 for the UN and never delivered, so it sat in a warehouse for 2 years doing nothing. I think that may have something to do with the failure, but maybe Im dreaming.

Graham