About 14 months ago, we rebuilt a 1966 Series IIA Land Rover for Romain in London.
Part of his requirements was to have an “Aluminium Coloured” Land Rover.
This was achieved, and the Land Rover was delivered to London back in February 2012.
We had a call from Romain recently, telling us that he had a problem with the Land Rover, and his local dealer had advised him that “The gearbox was seized solid” and it would require a replacement gearbox.
As anyone who knows old Land Rovers will tell you – the series IIA gearbox is one of the strongest units fitted to a Land Rover, and they will often go on for many years – even when badly worn – so it would be extremely unusual to have one lock up completely.
Our solution, was to go to London ro recover the Land Rover and bring it back to our workshop.
Sure enough – the gear lever would not appear to engage any gears, but the Land Rover would roll in neutral . . . ODD ?
Once back in our workshop, we stripped the floors out to get access to the top of the gearbox – The fault was found immediately – One of the springs which tensions the reverse gear flap had broken, and become lodged in the selector mechanism.
1/2 hour later and 2 £6 springs, and “NPG” was driving again.
Romain also asked us to carry out an MOT while we had it – which we were happy to do.
The Land Rover was returned to him a week or so later !
