Clutch been slipping in 4th and 5th on the 300tdi Defender so it's been sat waiting for a couple of weeks for me to do that job.

There are a few options for changing clutch on these things, thru the floor and sliding gearbox back, dropping box and transfer box in two parts, lifting above floor with seat box removed or taking engine out. The easiest for me in this location is taking the engine out.

Borrowed the "built out of girders" bluepoint snap on engine crane from neighbours (again!). Great piece of kit, wish I had one of that sturdy quality.

Last time I took engine out the front suspension lifted about 4 inches without the weight of engine to bare. This caused issues when putting engine back in as the angle of dangle was all changed. So as an experiment, this time I used ratchet straps between axle and spring top housing. With engine out the straps stopped the springs expanding. Putting the engine back in was a lot easier.

This the old clutch plate. Ouch... worn to the rivets!

Used a AP/BORG AND BECK clutch kit as a replacement. Also did the rear crank oil seal at same time using genuine parts.

Engine is back in and just needs all the giblets bolting back on before doing a test drive.

More photo's from today HERE.