Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

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D1+3JW
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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by D1+3JW » Mon May 21, 2012 10:15 pm

Hi Julian, good to see you getting closer to the big day, at least you got the best tires and wheels, happy to see my old 17" is seeing some action, interms of diagnostic aquipment , it may be worth contacting GAP-diagnostic ( very good product)or there retailer Britpart to sponser you with diagnostic equipment!!! Or Blackbox solutions? Happy to join in the London Launch, all the best Jurie



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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by GFour » Wed May 23, 2012 10:43 pm

Thank Jurie.

Swapping my 19s for the 17"s was probably the best thing I have done in all the preparation. Well that and adding the strong BFG's! I'm sure your wheels will see a lot of good use very soon :)



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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by GFour » Sun May 27, 2012 6:18 pm

Am I mad. Well after this week I think I might be!
This week I've had an EPB failure. Being auto I used the manual release to stop the screaming. But I still need to establish who is best placed to help me with final expedition prep and brake service. And hope to resolve that this week..

And then followed what seems to be another very common issue, the suspension fault! Suddenly I'm thinking that my budget is going to be used up before I get anywhere!
After all the horror stories here and elsewhere I almost panicked when my warning lights came on red and flashing amber along with the "suspension fault" info screen. Then came the bumpy ride, the lowering of the suspension to access height when I opened the door! and then over night too. But the suspension still raised and lowered so the compressor seemed ok.
I persevered on the forums and searched through many many issues and complaints about dealers etc.

I checked the 4x4 info screen and saw that for the rear N/S the lower indicator line flashed red so hoped I would find the fault there. Brake lights were working fine too. Maybe it was connected to the EPB failure?
But, I jacked up the rear and before I pulled anything apart, I checked the height sensor and instead of being hard to disconnect came off very easily in my hand. It had its "latch" broken on one side so wouldn't click into place at all. Strange that it could break all on its own?
Anyway, I took a long plastic tie and after a quick clean and little silicon grease, I used the tie to bind it tight in place and hey presto, no more suspension fault.

I'm very new at this, so dead chuffed that I did it and that actually the D3 is not always such a technical nightmare.
Just hope the brakes as are easy to sort.

It certainly is a learning curve and looking on the bright side, I'm glad it's happening here before I go.



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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by Jason » Sun May 27, 2012 6:38 pm

Roberts Country Vehicles in Paddock Wood are a great indi that will give the G4 a once over before you're trek...especially the EPB


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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by JF Lux » Sun May 27, 2012 6:56 pm

EPB - don't use it :thumbright: Seriously, just use Park.

Suspension fault - check to see if the vehicle has had the height sensor recall action done. If not, get the new sensors. Apparently there was a batch that were not too good...(which happened to me. Once changed 3 years ago I have not had one single suspension issue).


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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by anglefire » Sun May 27, 2012 6:58 pm

I use my EPB everyday. My theory being use it or lose it :lol:

It was replaced under warranty a couple of years ago though - been fine ever since and has only had scheduled maintenance.


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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by Bodsy » Sun May 27, 2012 7:41 pm

JF Lux wrote:EPB - don't use it :thumbright: Seriously, just use Park
Don't be silly John, it should be used as much as possible. What happens when your on an offroad incline and you need to use it. Park is strong, but will get stuck on if gradient is too much.

Cleaned and maintained properly is no problemo.

Julian, just get it adjusted properly and plenty of copper grease on all the contact points. :thumbright:


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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by JF Lux » Sun May 27, 2012 7:47 pm

Bodsy wrote:it should be used as much as possible. What happens when your on an offroad incline and you need to use it. Park is strong, but will get stuck on if gradient is too much.
never had a problem...honest :thumbright: :lol:


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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by Jason » Sun May 27, 2012 7:57 pm

Don't use mine at all, and TFC services my every year and checks the adjustment. I've used mine off road, and the weight of the D3 on an incline dragged the back wheels down. It's each to their own really, one of the weakest links in the D3


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Re: Around the world in a D3 G4. Am I mad?

Post by benp » Sun May 27, 2012 8:06 pm

either get 10 for cash out to give it a good service or get it to challenger and ask if you can help out watch after you explain what you are going to do I cant see that they would have a problem it sounds like you are quite handy with the spanners but a bit of extra tuition couldn’t hurt … on the EPB I try not to use mine if I am in mud and mine is a manual gearbox which can be a challenge :lol: …… we would all love to swap places with you good luck with the prep :thumbright:


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