Prior to purchasing my manual FL2 2.2d XS, I drove two different demonstrators. Both had around 7000 miles on them and both had very smooth gear shifts. I have also seen comment in various road tests about the smoothness of the gearbox. When I collected my car, I noticed that the gear shift felt relatively stiff, but assumed it would lighten up as the miles increased.

There is some improvement when the box is thoroughly warm, but overall the shift remains far less 'smooth' than either demonstrator. I have now done 1500 miles, but there doesn't seem to be any improvement. Interestingly, if I park the car 'nose up' on an incline for a couple of days and then move it, the gearshift is particularly stiff for initial engagement.

Anyone experienced similar problems? Do the gearshifts improve after a few thousand miles?

No this is absolutely not normal. my manual was never stiff even if left over night in - 18 degrees. If paring on an incline............ maybe the box is not filled as it should or with the wrong oil. These things might happen. If parked nose down? Any noise? FREELANDER 2 TD4 SE (XS UK) IZMIR BLUE SIDE STEPS COLD PACK BI-XENON TINTED WINDOWS - AND PROUD OF HER

Hi,

also got a 6 week old XS with 1800 miles on the clock and was thinking of going back to dealers to try their demo car again due to a similar concern. My gear box is smooth in all changes except 1st to 2nd. Not sure if this is normal due to 1st having quite low ratio's. It is only a slight problem and may be due to the newness but will check the demo car and report back.

Other than that the car is superb with no other problems to report.

Also, had a great day today at Ashfords Land Rover Experience centre....amazed at what the Freelander can achieve even when driven by an amateur like me!!!!!

NM Baltic blue XS - Alpaca Leather - 18" HSE wheels.

I had problem with my gears creaking/squeaking and stiffness.

LR replaced cables - fine now

It may be related - speak to your stealer.

My GS manual is now 14 months old with 12000 miles and still has a stiff gear change from 1st to 2nd. Ok when warm. Have been back to dealers who changed gear selector rod. Fine for a few days but now back to normal. All other gears fine, we must have extra thick oil in gearbox as smooth after a mile or so and much better when weather warmer. GS TD4 Stornoway Grey

Yeah mine's clunky between 1st and 2nd......

snappa wrote:

Yeah mine's clunky between 1st and 2nd......

yes but how is the fl2?? At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

chicken george wrote:

snappa wrote:

Yeah mine's clunky between 1st and 2nd......

yes but how is the fl2??

 FREELANDER 2 TD4 SE (XS UK) IZMIR BLUE SIDE STEPS COLD PACK BI-XENON TINTED WINDOWS - AND PROUD OF HER

Further to my original post, I spent an hour at the dealers the other day. The Workshop Controller agreed there seemed to be some additional 'resistance', particularly when shifting from 1st to 2nd. They checked/adjusted the alignment of the 'gate', made sure the linkages were not 'catching anywhere' and changed the gearbox oil. This latter because they said that they had come across vehicles where the wrong viscosity of oil had been put in on the production line...! The mind boggles.

There may have been a minor improvement - but with a journey to Newcastle and back in the next couple of weeks, I'll give it a few more miles before passing final judgement. From the dealers perspective, the only likely way forward would be a new gearbox.

I will wait and see.

PRF wrote:

Further to my original post, I spent an hour at the dealers the other day. The Workshop Controller agreed there seemed to be some additional 'resistance', particularly when shifting from 1st to 2nd. They checked/adjusted the alignment of the 'gate', made sure the linkages were not 'catching anywhere' and changed the gearbox oil. This latter because they said that they had come across vehicles where the wrong viscosity of oil had been put in on the production line...! The mind boggles.

There may have been a minor improvement - but with a journey to Newcastle and back in the next couple of weeks, I'll give it a few more miles before passing final judgement. From the dealers perspective, the only likely way forward would be a new gearbox.

I will wait and see.

If it comes to a box change maybe you might want to ask the dealers what it would cost/and if they can put in an auto box instead as the auto has only beenpraisedover here  FREELANDER 2 TD4 SE (XS UK) IZMIR BLUE SIDE STEPS COLD PACK BI-XENON TINTED WINDOWS - AND PROUD OF HER

My gearbox has been clonky in going from 1st to 2nd and has now got to the stage at nearly 10000 miles where all changes seem to be clonky. My dealer has acknowledged there is a problem and has started by replacing the gear lever!!!!! Not surprisingly this has made no difference whatsoever. The car is now booked in for two weeks to look at replacing the linkages and if that fails, then ultimately the gearbox. Interstingly they are going to lend me an auto freelander whilst my car is laid up for the 2 weeks!!!

2nd time arond wrote:

My gearbox has been clonky in going from 1st to 2nd and has now got to the stage at nearly 10000 miles where all changes seem to be clonky. My dealer has acknowledged there is a problem and has started by replacing the gear lever!!!!! Not surprisingly this has made no difference whatsoever. The car is now booked in for two weeks to look at replacing the linkages and if that fails, then ultimately the gearbox. Interstingly they are going to lend me an auto freelander whilst my car is laid up for the 2 weeks!!!

At least you can now test how the auto is off-road  FREELANDER 2 TD4 SE (XS UK) IZMIR BLUE SIDE STEPS COLD PACK BI-XENON TINTED WINDOWS - AND PROUD OF HER

Had the same problem. Stiff gearchange from 1st to 2nd, only during the morning (when the engine is still cold).
Dealer changed so far:
1. Gearbox oil
2. Clutch pump
3. Clutch kid.
4. Gearbox

Problem still there!!!!!!!!

I will take the car (one year after the last fix) for another look.
Will let you know.