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bebechoon



Member Since: 22 Apr 2014
Location: In ze middle of Frainsch nul part
Posts: 454

France 
French recommendations on fitting snow chains ...

In an article entitled “All you need to know about snow chains” (my translation) published in this week’s AutoPlus – a popular weekly French motoring magazine – they give the following advice for 4WD cars (again, my translation):
Myth: There’s no need for chains with a 4WD.
Reality: Absolutely not true, especially if fitted with wide tyres! And it’s even better to fit 4 chains on a 4x4 or SUV if the centre differential can't be locked as fitting chains on just one axle may result in it being destroyed in a very short time.

So – if I heed their advice – I should fit chains onto the front of my 2005 Td6 as well as the back … Resulting no doubt in the chains smashing the brake pipes and suspension parts to bits! Big Cry Embarassed
Slightly irresponsible reporting? (Or does Traction Control count as a centre diff lock?!) Mr. Green It's "bébéchoon", ackcherly, with accents. 'Steve' to my chums.
20 years ownership of Solihull products, ALL GONE NOW, sniff!
Current motor: Suzuki S-Cross 4WD auto, 1.4 petrol. Oh so reliable! 7 years now and no problems. Oh, all right then, a leaking shocker replaced under guarantee.
Previous:
TD6 HSE L322 Auto FF
2.5 TDi 4-door Classic
Disco II
And my 1st Rangie: in 1995, a 2-door VM 2.5 diesel Classic
Not to mention the Lada Niva before those. (I said not to mention it!)

Post #307105 22nd Jan 2015 3:46pm
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KurtVerbose



Member Since: 08 Aug 2010
Location: Les Arses
Posts: 5848

Switzerland 2007 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Stornoway Grey

The centre diff is (I think) a torsen diff, so does limit slip which is why Land Rover say fronts only for chains - it should mean torque to all four wheels even if only the front two have grip.

Post #307112 22nd Jan 2015 4:21pm
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Weegie



Member Since: 09 Jun 2014
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 3236

Scotland 2008 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Stornoway Grey

Kurt,
According to LR Accessories website for snow chains: "Fit to rear wheels only on Range Rover - do not fit to front wheels. Fit to front wheels only on Discovery 3." John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Post #307118 22nd Jan 2015 4:51pm
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KurtVerbose



Member Since: 08 Aug 2010
Location: Les Arses
Posts: 5848

Switzerland 2007 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Stornoway Grey

Ok, but my point was you fit them only to one axle and the centre diff will take care of it. Thumbs Up

Post #307119 22nd Jan 2015 5:00pm
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bebechoon



Member Since: 22 Apr 2014
Location: In ze middle of Frainsch nul part
Posts: 454

France 

I understood the point in the French article was that, if you only fit chains to one axle – without a locking diff – the spinning-uncontrollably, non-chained wheels/axles will make the diff work hugely overtime and result in its early demise …
I agree with Weegie. Indeed the Owner’s Handbook says to fit chains only to the rear. I believe you can only fit snow socks or the expensive spider-type chains to the front because of the lack of clearance between wheel and suspension strut (& brake pipes!)
It doesn't really worry me – I just thought the article was written without enough care or research. FF can’t be the only 4x4 with this lack of clearance problem!
Besides, it makes for lively discussion! It's "bébéchoon", ackcherly, with accents. 'Steve' to my chums.
20 years ownership of Solihull products, ALL GONE NOW, sniff!
Current motor: Suzuki S-Cross 4WD auto, 1.4 petrol. Oh so reliable! 7 years now and no problems. Oh, all right then, a leaking shocker replaced under guarantee.
Previous:
TD6 HSE L322 Auto FF
2.5 TDi 4-door Classic
Disco II
And my 1st Rangie: in 1995, a 2-door VM 2.5 diesel Classic
Not to mention the Lada Niva before those. (I said not to mention it!)

Post #307124 22nd Jan 2015 5:09pm
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northernmonkeyjones



Member Since: 24 Mar 2012
Location: derby
Posts: 8523

United Kingdom 2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Santorini Black

Very little clearance on the Skoda too but you only need a few mm....

Rears only for me when I go in a couple of weeks as, from what I remember last time I drove I wasn't made to fit chains to the skoda but did so as I couldn't actually get to the chalet! There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Post #307133 22nd Jan 2015 5:30pm
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Alistair



Member Since: 11 Feb 2011
Location: Peterborough / Bordeaux / Andorra
Posts: 7937

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Santorini Black

They won't fit on the front of a FFRR with 20's - there just isn't enough room past the damper - you need more than a few mm - more like 20+ and even then I'd be concerned about them losing a bit of tension & flapping.....

Post #307187 22nd Jan 2015 8:28pm
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northernmonkeyjones



Member Since: 24 Mar 2012
Location: derby
Posts: 8523

United Kingdom 2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Santorini Black

You are correct, There is only about a fingers width so, no you won't get decent chains on the front with 20". No probs on the back though which is all I will need👍 There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Post #307214 22nd Jan 2015 9:16pm
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CSK



Member Since: 15 Oct 2010
Location: St Tropez
Posts: 750

France 2013 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 SC V8 Causeway Grey

There's a snow traction system sold by Land Rover as an accessory. On L322 it is to be fitted on the front wheels only. On the L405 at the back.

Post #307267 22nd Jan 2015 11:09pm
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noworries4x4



Member Since: 03 Oct 2013
Location: Newton Abbot
Posts: 165

United Kingdom 2012 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Orkney Grey

I exploded a front cv joint in France on my P38 a few years back stripped it all out and drove home towing the tri axle with the Bowler on it no trouble the viscous diff locked up and drove me home. I thought I was going to be in deep pop poo but no worries. I kept stopping and put a hand on the diff to see if it was getting hot but no dramas.
So front wheels spinning on ice and back driving would be no different If everything is under control you are not going fast enough.

MY 16 Discovery 4 Commercial Workshop and Escort Vehicle
MY 12 Full Fat TDV8
1952 Series 1 80" 3ltr 6cyl

Post #307271 22nd Jan 2015 11:14pm
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northernmonkeyjones



Member Since: 24 Mar 2012
Location: derby
Posts: 8523

United Kingdom 2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Santorini Black

Going to try the chains on the 20", not sure if they will fit as they are for 255/55 19 amongst other sizes. Can't see why not as the rolling radius and cross section is the same so the bit they are fitting on is the same! But it doesn't say 255/50 20 on the packet for some reason.

If not I will have to put the 19" on. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Post #307314 23rd Jan 2015 8:52am
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