mitsubishi pajero dif problem

[Argle]

VERY common problem unfortunately, and no it hasnt been fixed with the new NT. There are Pajero Club members that have reported companion shaft failures on NT's as well. I personally know of three NP's that have had the problem, only one of these managed to get any sort of warranty assistance from Mitsubishi despite there being a published "hotline fix" or service bulletin since the 11th of April 2006!!!! Its bulletin # NM27-002

Be aware of this issue if you have or are looking at buying a Pajero (for the record I own an Np Turbo Diesel Pajero and love it, I just wish Mitsubishi would stand up to the "better built better backed" statement more than they do at present.

Cheers
Scott

[lethal098]

Scott,

I would be interested to hear of the NT's that have had failures. I have not seen any come through.
If the car is under warranty when the failure ocurs then it is repaired at no cost! Since replacing the companion shafts in my parents and a few customers we have not had any further reoccurences. So to me then problem solved!!

Name a car that doesnt have issues with wear and tear?? fow many manufacturers stand by their product for 5 years?? 2 Mitsubishi and Kia. I cannot comment on Kia but from the warranty claims that i proces i dont have many if any claims rejected.

Cheers Lee

[snapersam]

Snapersam, the part numbers for the companion shafts are MI3715A083, can be purchased from any Mitsubishi Dealer. You will need 2 of them. The NP Pajero will be well suited to the towing, My parents have the NP and tow a Van every other weekend, Yes the NT is a much better car but it comes with a much higher price tag. As for a complete new one, no whispers as yet.

Cheers Lee

Thanks lee for the info, u r very valuable member, keep us with any updates,

I went to a dealer today, he advised to buy the diesel model, he said it is quite and can pull very well.

in you proffesinal opinion do u think I am better off with petrol or diesel, is it realy quite comapred to petrol and is it as powerfull?

[ozscott]

Thanks lee for the info, u r very valuable member, keep us with any updates,

I went to a dealer today, he advised to buy the diesel model, he said it is quite and can pull very well.

in you proffesinal opinion do u think I am better off with petrol or diesel, is it realy quite comapred to petrol and is it as powerfull?

Mate the petrol is quiet and the diesel is certainly not. It's also intrusive and coarse diesel I'm modern terms. But I would learn to live with it as people do cause of it's towing ability and fuel economy. Cheers.

[lethal098]

Diesel hands down, the 3.8l can be very thirsty at times and can lack a bit of the low down torque for towing, yes they have a little more noise but the radio on and you will get used to it very quickly, i sometimes drive my Triton with no radio and listen to the engine. I certainly do Love that car.

I am passionate about cars and especially the Mitsubishi Product, i have been the in the motor industry for 13 years, my background is a mechanic, i have worked for a few manufacturers and can assure you Mitsubishi is hands down the best so far.

cheers Lee

[Argle]

[quote=lethal098;1208403]Scott,

I would be interested to hear of the NT's that have had failures. I have not seen any come through.

Lee, check out the NT section on the Pajero Club site, reports on there from owners.

Name a car that doesnt have issues with wear and tear??
I dont have an issue with wear and tear mate its poorly designed components that have since been modified/upgraded (due to original not being good enough) that do not get any backing from the manufacturer. Im not saying do it for free on vehicles out of warranty that havent failed but maybe a 50/50 split to show some sort of goodwill towards customers who have experienced failures.
I have over 20 years background in the earthmoving industry and many of the major manufacturers/dealers do this in order to keep faith with customers and ensure repeat business, I often think car dealers miss the point and lose a lot of potential customers by not recognising this.
Not having a dig at you personally mate but how many dealers will deny the problem even exists? How many will say no ive never heard of any problems with the top timing chain guide on the 3.2 D.I.D!!! Just because you have never heard of it does not mean its never happened, a bit of research and looking outside of the four walls they sit in could really open a few eyes.

Cheers
Scott

[lethal098]

Scott,
components on vehicles are constantly being upgraded to better designs, does this mean that all of them should be available at little to no cost?
At least with the Mitsubishi product you have 5 years to cover any concerns, most manufacturer give you 3 then its all on the owner. I have seen this from other manufacturers being 2 weeks out of warranty and wiping there hands of a mjor component failure. I have had Mits authorize warranty even though it has been outside the timeframe, this generally comes down to good will, this will relflect on the history etc of the vehicle, if being serviced at a dealer then it will generally have a favourable outcome, if serviced at Non dealer then this generally reflects a poor outcome.
Within your earthmoving do you use the mabnufacturer to maintain the equipment?

cheers Lee

[Argle]

Lee, I work for the manufacturer.

If a part is upgraded due to a design flaw (companionshaft circlip too thin) then yes I think the manufacturer has an obligation to assist through warranty or goodwill if that part causes a failure. We have programs in place for this very occurance.

Product evolution and design upgrades are different things alltogether.

The fact that Mitsubishi have a published service bulletin on the part in question would make you think that they are well aware it is a design flaw. I will agree
that it is not something that would require a total recall of the product but by offering a repair after failure type program it would show goodwill towards the customer who in turn would most likely continue to use the dealer/manufacturer in future.

In my case I was having my vehicle serviced by the dealer up until the point I was told that they would not be doing a valve set as per the service schedule because and I quote they do an "audible check" So they have a listen to the valves and say nope its all good!! Must be bloody good if they can hear that, and how would they tell if they were too tight??

I just hope my companion shaft seals hold out because going on that assumption I wont get any help from the dealer/manufacturer.

Cheers
Scott

[lethal098]

Scott,

I think it may be a little different from vehicles to expensive earthmoving equipment, price is one big difference as well as time in between purchases. Thats like trying to compare outboard engines and Car engines, completely different.

yes it is common place for dealers to allow an audible check of the clearances, I do not agree with it however most customers do not want to pay the $350 to have them checked and adjusted every 30000km.

What model Pajero do you have? is it still under the 5/10 year warranty? If so then if it fails it will be replaced at no charge.

Manufacturers of different things will have different views on this and i think i will leave it at that.

Cheers Lee

[Argle]

Lee, its an 05 so yes still under the 5/10 no problem.
As for the valve set well if its in the schedule than as far as Im concerned than it gets done, and its only every 45000 as per the handbook. I also take the opportunity to inspect/replace the top timing chain guide whilst this is happening - VERY cheap insurance against a big bang.
I agree manufacturers will have different views and I dont want to get into argumemnts over right and wrong, from what I have seen you are trying to do the right thing by your customers, and that is to be applauded.

Cheers mate
Scott

[lethal098]

Scott,

Thanks and if you need anything with your Pajero dont hesitate to let me know.

Yes 45000 on the older diesel but now every 30000km.

Cheers Lee

[GBC]

O.T. for a minute - Lethal, you know I have the B4, and am thinking a ralliart wagon might be a worthy successor - it would appear I've married a ricer .

Any opinions or things I should be aware of apart from the short service intervals?

[Giffo65]

I have a 2005 Paj Platinum and the same thing happened whilst towing our C/van down to the Goldie,got to mates place and oil all over the drawbar.Currumbin diffs said it only happens to cars that tow,so it could have also happened towing the boat.They did the repair and said was not covered under warranty as it was 2000k over.I was told the replacement axles are only a few MMs longer ,I was also peeved as it is a design/engineering fault.Still had to get it fixed to get home.I still love the car to drive, on and off road, and so does the Missus.

Cheers
Giffo

[Argle]

Scott,

Yes 45000 on the older diesel but now every 30000km.

Cheers Lee

Geez older diesel hey? Just the nudge I need to look at a new one??? Maybe ha ha! Nah she's good for a few hundred more yet

Cheers mate
Scott

[Argle]

I have a 2005 Paj Platinum and the same thing happened whilst towing our C/van down to the Goldie,got to mates place and oil all over the drawbar.Currumbin diffs said it only happens to cars that tow,so it could have also happened towing the boat.They did the repair and said was not covered under warranty as it was 2000k over.I was told the replacement axles are only a few MMs longer ,I was also peeved as it is a design/engineering fault.Still had to get it fixed to get home.I still love the car to drive, on and off road, and so does the Missus.

Cheers
Giffo

Giffo, mate if you bought your Paj new then it will still be covered under warranty, I have fitted airbags under the back of mine as they help minimise the amount of rear wheel sag (ala 180B Datto had one of them too!) the independant rear end suffers while towing which i think probably excabates the problem. I have Firestone airbags and the Paj sits nice and level with around 16-1700kg's of boat on the back

Cheers
Scott