Front Drive Shaft Update

[Kinglenario]

I feel that ineos could easily fix this and need to get on it. Design a better joint or a replacement transfer case with a better angle. I’m surprised manga designed it like this. I wonder if something changed on the production vehicle vs the prototypes.

Also I definitely notice on my 2025 that the joint boots rubber feels very dry. Like you could easily puncture it with your finger. It’s like crispy rubber

 

[anand]

Im not sure that's accurate. I bet it's something like 30-40% of all failures.

Based on the numbers I have been told it is a very fraction of those numbers

 

[Kinglenario]

Also,

Lynn calder in the interview with grenadierworks podcast is making several references to the fact that in particular the US market likes to personalize and modify their trucks and that they count on the aftermarket to support this. That this is more common and is expected.

Seems to me that even with a very, very cursory look at the market for defenders, jeeps, broncos and toyotas that this is one of the most common modifications. Seems like it should be addressed, even if not with a part maybe the factory can work with a supplier to address the issue so folks can make this mod and make it highly reliable.

The whole not to spec answer seems insufficient in the face of the market and what drives purchasing.

That seems silly. The angle is too extreme in stock form. So many of these things have vibrations because the joint is so jacked. Total screw up

 

[Dokatd]

I think we can all agree there are different definitions of what hardcore off-roading is. For me you aren't doing much until you have 40" tires minimum. Nothing on the Grenadier will handle 40's out of the box. Plus I just hate to beat mine up like that. It's not about the dollar amount, I will gladly flog a $100k+ crawler all day, but that's what it is made for. The Grenadier is delicate in comparison.

And man, I have never seen so much sand as I have seen in Aussie off-road YouTube land.

 

[parb]

Based on the numbers I have been told it is a very fraction of those numbers

still doesn't mean they can afford to ignore it. Reputational risk is real risk too, even if the affected population is small.

 

[Dokatd]

Based on the numbers I have been told it is a very fraction of those numbers

My shaft failed. The dealer and Ineos have no clue. I'm sure some stock trucks have gone unreported. As well it's likely that many are just now getting to the mileage required to fail. And lastly, I bet there are a scary number of Grens out there with failed boots and a clueless owner, especially if in stock form. I suspect the indicators on a stock truck are marginal at best. I'm sure we will start hearing rumors of catastrophic failure soon enough. My guess is 3-5k miles after boot failure if driven at high speed periodically. And maybe never if used as a surface street commuter.

Also, how many have preemptively changed their joint stock or not?

 

[parb]

Also, how many have preemptively changed their joint stock or not?

I'm buying a rzeppa joint so I have it if I'm 1,000 miles away from a dealer and need to fix it

 

[Steve.B]

The perceived problem with rear axle track on LC70 must be an Aussie issue. There doesn't seem to be much of a problem off road in other countries when a 50 cal or missile system is fitted to a LC70.

The 79 track problem is real, Telstra was running a fleet of GU Patrol Ute's, sure we all know the patrol has a lower tray height, and the GU is far stronger vehicle.
Telstra at the end of the GU life cycle tested three 79 series with remote field techs, the first 79 roll over was Less than 2 weeks after delivery, so extensive consultation and testing was done.
The result was a dirt track max allowable speed of 70kmh, it was determined that on cambered loose dirt tracks that the rear did try to track with the front in some circumstances.
So Telstra extended the service life of th GU, finding the 79 not suitable.
Then NBN mainly took over with contractors so most of the Telstra fleet went.

 

[MrMike]

This problem is insane to me. How can you build a rugged off-road vehicle with this design problem and also have it so easily damaged putting it up onto a lift? Seriously? Putting an ineos on a lift will damage the driveshaft joints? lol

I brought this up with Marcus the head of operations for IA a few weeks ago, I said that the tolerances are too fine for a supposedly "purpose built vehicle"
His reply was it wasn't meant to be lifted. Go figure

 

[MrMike]

The 79 track problem is real, Telstra was running a fleet of GU Patrol Ute's, sure we all know the patrol has a lower tray height, and the GU is far stronger vehicle.
Telstra at the end of the GU life cycle tested three 79 series with remote field techs, the first 79 roll over was Less than 2 weeks after delivery, so extensive consultation and testing was done.
The result was a dirt track max allowable speed of 70kmh, it was determined that on cambered loose dirt tracks that the rear did try to track with the front in some circumstances.
So Telstra extended the service life of th GU, finding the 79 not suitable.
Then NBN mainly took over with contractors so most of the Telstra fleet went.

They are back using 79's again

 

[parb]

Th

I brought this up with Marcus the head of operations for IA a few weeks ago, I said that the tolerances are too fine for a supposedly "purpose built vehicle"
His reply was it wasn't meant to be lifted. Go figure

Yeah, that's a zero impact leader right there.

 

[Steve.B]

They are back using 79's again

Telstra only has a few employees left, and the extreme remote stuff is done by contractors, the old fleet management no longer exists.

 

[Kinglenario]

My shaft failed. The dealer and Ineos have no clue. I'm sure some stock trucks have gone unreported. As well it's likely that many are just now getting to the mileage required to fail. And lastly, I bet there are a scary number of Grens out there with failed boots and a clueless owner, especially if in stock form. I suspect the indicators on a stock truck are marginal at best. I'm sure we will start hearing rumors of catastrophic failure soon enough. My guess is 3-5k miles after boot failure if driven at high speed periodically. And maybe never if used as a surface street commuter.

Also, how many have preemptively changed their joint stock or not?

Totally agree. And all this talk about how this wasn’t designed as a serious off-road vehicle… the damage is caused by highway driving because it heats the rubber boot at the extreme angle. Yeah a lift will make it worse but they’re all going to fail quickly even in stock form driving on the highway. We do a lot of that in the US.

The annoying part to me about all this ineos stuff is how it seems they don’t deal with it. If they would just be like “yeah we messed up and we’re going to issue a recall and fix” great. End of conversation. But the excuses really get me and the company will fail doing that.

 

[Commodore]

In my opinion the front driveshaft angle is the only real issue with the car. Everything else is just character.

 

[MrMike]

Telstra only has a few employees left, and the extreme remote stuff is done by contractors, the old fleet management no longer exists.

What am I seeing then? Staff in 79's with canopies?

 

[MattA]

I just did a bit of work with a big contractor company who works on the power grid, they all have either trucks or 79’s
All the workers I asked what they thought of the 79’s said they hated them , especially if along drive was needed
Having seen plenty in soft sand moving all over the place I will have a big pass

 

[Tazzieman]

I think we can all agree there are different definitions of what hardcore off-roading is. For me you aren't doing much until you have 40" tires minimum.

And man, I have never seen so much sand as I have seen in Aussie off-road YouTube land.

Problem is anything over 35 ruins the tracks for everyone else. We're talking mud and silty rock tracks.
I know everyting in the USA has to be hyooge, esp in Texas , but not everything needs to be on 40 " tyres to be hardcore.
In my opinion

 

[Kinglenario]

Th

Yeah, that's a zero impact leader right there

In my opinion the front driveshaft angle is the only real issue with the car. Everything else is just character.

Also the steering box and the software. And the leaky AC on the inside. Other than that I’m honestly super happy with the ineos. It’s very fun to drive.

 

[Dokatd]

Problem is anything over 35 ruins the tracks for everyone else. We're talking mud and silty rock tracks.
I know everyting in the USA has to be hyooge, esp in Texas , but not everything needs to be on 40 " tyres to be hardcore.
In my opinion

You simply cannot drive certain trails here without 40's. Not because someone with 40's tore it up before you, but because the rocks or ledges etc are just too big. Having clearance under the frame is fine, but we need clearance under the differentials.

And yeah thanks for backing up my point, we all have different tolerance and skill levels. Me, I despise mud and just won't take my trucks out in it full stop. I stick to the dusty dry rocks of the desert etc.