Timing belt done over the weekend, a couple of notes for anyone curious/interested:

- Timing belt change itself is pretty straightforward, following the instructions in the manual to put the pin in the flywheel first makes lining up the cam much easier.

- The crank bolt is very tight. My 18v impact claims it's good for 350Nm and didn't budge it but a 3' breaker bar did. Having enough extensions to get it out past the guard was handy. I compared old vs new crank bolts and found no measurable difference in length.

- Radiator didn't want to drain via the drain point, wiggled it round and poked some wire in but not a dribble, ended up just pulling the pump and doing it that way.

The biggest issue was the starter motor, it seems the nut holding the signal wire onto the body had been tightened by a gorilla so it snapped off the body rather than undoing. Ended up pulling what was left of the stud out, getting a short lead onto the remains inside the solenoid then gooping up the hole with some RTV.
Thought it was going to be a temp repair but it actually worked fairly nicely so will see how it goes.

Exactly the same re the starter. No gorillas needed, just corrosion and cheap manufacturing.My similar repair is still going strong a year later !

Yeah I guess so.
My Discovery 2 has what looks to be the exact same starter solenoid however that terminal just uses a spade fitting, much better solution as it can just be pulled off by hand.
Even if I replace it would probably put a spade on it just to make life easier in future (although hopefully don't need to pull it off again for the next 10 years).

Hi
How do you service the front diff ?
there's no plug AFAIK
thx

Arese, there is plenty of info on the forum re this, try using the search function. (Now Sold). 2008 Freelander 2 (Nazca Sand) SE TD4 Auto. Statutory write off & on WOVR for hail damage but still road legal.
171037Km as of 09/05/22
Superchips Bluefin Flash
Nanocom Evo II (also sold)

Hi Arese, there is a fill plug at the top of the front PTU towards the rear of the unit. It's difficult to get a tube into it but it can be done at the 5:30pm position.

How are you all measuring the 82°? A 'wee bit' less than 90° and DFR? Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

With my finely calibrated eyeball lol.

I just went for *almost* 90 and left it at that, had to give it a good heave with a big breaker bar so I don't think it'll come off in a hurry.