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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3489
United Kingdom 
Lightning, do you know anyone local with a Puma you could drive and who you could let drive yours? Either your vehicle or technique is causing problems and that would be the easiest way to diagnose which.it is.[/quote]

l've driven about thirty altogether over the last three years, most are the same. That is, like mine, need concerted effort to drive smoothly.

A couple were much better, one with under 10,000 miles and another had 117,000 but had a new clutch and output shaft.

Which makes me think, it's possible to make it better.

I've changed the rear DM's and have a clutch switch on order. After that (if it's no better) l'll look at other options such as Alive.
Post #1076822 3rd Oct 2025 6:34pm
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Jerry



Member Since: 13 Nov 2015
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 217
2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Adventure Phoenix Orange
My 2015 puma is very smooth - but I am pretty sympathetic and slow which suits me fine! (I also agree with posts elsewhere that it’s smoother changing at slightly higher revs so that it doesn’t labour in the next gear).
Post #1076824 3rd Oct 2025 7:09pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8465
 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
If your lifting rhe clutch and accelerating before the clutch is fully up your just slipping the clutch.

Or the clutch is engaged and the remaining pedal travel is just travel which would suggest switch. Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1076837 3rd Oct 2025 10:04pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3489
United Kingdom 
l just drive normally, like l've always driven. l don't ride the clutch. Changing up through the gears l just balance the rpm and speed like everyone else.

l don't accelerate until the clutch is fully engaged.
Post #1076842 3rd Oct 2025 10:51pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 18015
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Martin wrote:
Td5 and Puma ones operate in opposite manners. 2.2 Puma and 2.4 Puma are the same.


Oops, my bad. Sorry! I was sure that 2.4 and 2.2 were different. Confused
Post #1076843 3rd Oct 2025 11:26pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3489
United Kingdom 
Yes it caught me out when l had my Defender TD5

And will do the same with people who buy one of these switches on Ebay advertised as compatible with "TD5/Puma"

Fortunately l tested the switch before l fitted it, and realised the error.
Post #1076844 3rd Oct 2025 11:53pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8465
 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
lightning wrote:
l just drive normally, like l've always driven. l don't ride the clutch. Changing up through the gears l just balance the rpm and speed like everyone else.

l don't accelerate until the clutch is fully engaged.


lightning wrote:


So if you approach a junction in third gear, you change down to second and feed the clutch back in as you accelerate, and it starts


I was trying to help picking up on your previous comments. You've driven over 30 of them, from which I get the impression you found most do it.

Blackwolf suggested either technique or vehicle problem.

I have suggested two areas to look at one of each.

From my experiwnce as an off road driving instr when you state you drive the same as everyone else I can assure you in the 15 + years I have been teaching there is no 'same as everyone else'

Try not acclerating until the clutch is up. Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1076850 4th Oct 2025 9:41am
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3489
United Kingdom 
You mean no gas pedal at all until the clutch is up? l'll give it a try, although going uphill might be an issue keeping momentum.

What l normally do in this vehicle is clutch up and gas pedal down, balanced so the clutch doesn't slip as the power comes in.
Post #1076854 4th Oct 2025 10:33am
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JPE



Member Since: 19 Nov 2018
Location: South West England
Posts: 346
United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Not accelerating until the clutch is up is I think sound advice.

That's certainly how I've learnt to drive mine.
Post #1076888 4th Oct 2025 9:48pm
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