DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Driving a Puma smoothly

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Puma (Tdci) > Driving a Puma smoothly

Page 2 of 2

Print this entire topic ·

LR90XS2011

Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: bickenhill
Posts: 3680

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green

mine 2.4 wasnt great when new but the gear change mechanism mod improved it no end, I have a replacement clutch and IRB remap.

I also generally now start off in 2nd gear as 1st is just a waste of time (unless towing the caravan or starting facing up hill).

I removed driveline play with Ashcroft adaptor shaft, ATB diffs and 1 piece rear drive shafts and it drove very well, gear change and clutch action equally as good as my VW up, however I now have some slack reappearing and have adjusted to taking up the play before fully engaging the clutch.

These gearboxes can have a really nice change mine has at any engine revs but only since the other things were done, my feeling is that its the other bits around them effect it badly. DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,

I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy

2nd Oct 2025 7:22am

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3437

l've looked at probably thirty Defenders over the last three years and there were two that stood out. One was a very low mileage one and the other, had done 117,000 but the seller had just fitted a new clutch and output shaft.

Both were absolutely lovely to drive with none of the above issues. So l know it's possible to improve one.
How long it stays like that after the new clutch is fitted, who knows. l've driven a 30,000 miles one that was awful.

2nd Oct 2025 7:28am

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8448

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

i have a 2.4 2010 110 with 117k and its as smooth as

i have a 2011 130 now m57 auto but prior to that was a 2.4 79k miles nightmare to make smooth

both vehicles have aschroft everything; cvs, shafts, dms, diffs, rebuilt centre diffs and output shafts. Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

2nd Oct 2025 10:37am

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3437

l'll have a look at the front drive members but in my experience they're usually okay due to oil leaking from the front differential, which lubricates them.

2nd Oct 2025 11:31am

jbcollier

Member Since: 29 Apr 2024
Location: Edmonton AB
Posts: 274

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White

To add to LR90XS2011‘s list, also make sure your front axles are shimmed properly.

3rd Oct 2025 5:14am

Page 2 of 2

All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum