Thoughts and advice on the care and feeding of fine automobiles from Machine Aficionado and bestselling author John Elder Robison, owner of JE Robison Service in Springfield, Massachusetts


We are independent restoration, repair, sales and service for Audi, BMW, Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Rolls-Royce automobiles.

Bentley archives

Land Rovers

Range Rover Sport front differential failures

When differentials fail in Range Rovers, they tend to fail in front.  Over the years we have changed 3-4 times as many front as rear differentials.  I'm not sure why that is, as the same part is used front and rear.  Some say it's because of the traction control.  Others suggest the front does more work because those are the steered wheels.

We recently had a 2006 Sport differential fail, at 75,000 miles.  The truck had Mobil 1 gear lub all its life, changed at 15 and 45k miles, yet the bearings came apart as you can see.


I wish I knew what we might do to avoid repeat failures, but I don't.  For now, we fit the factory replacements and hope for a preventative answer

3 comments:

Jean & John said...

Land Rover Issued a "Special Service Message"--SSM41904 for failing differentials in the front and rear. The message states that the "paint/sealer" on the inside of the differential is detaching and contaminating the oil which results in overheating leading to leaks and bearing failure. Rover is aware of this problem, however they will not cover the cost of repairing this flaw unless your vehicle is still under the original warranty.

Unknown said...

i've had two of these replaced in 2015. front and back on my 2007. what are the odds the OEM replacement have the paint issue resolved?

thanks to an aftermarket warranty, I've hd both diffs, the air compressor and two forward struts replaced. I guess I should keep it after the warranty runs out.

Unknown said...

my 2007 had both front and rear replaced on 2015. will that take of the issue for awhile/

| Designed by Colorlib