Some observations on my first experience of changing a wheel on the L405.

I had planned to use a trolley jack however with the suspension raised I was not able to get enough height. So, tried the jack supplied with the car and was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked despite the bad press I had read. I wonder if it is more robust than those previously supplied?

I had been somewhat dismissive about the need to winch the spare wheel out of the boot using the lifting strap. I am now 100% clear that I would never be able to lift one of those wheels out. The strap itself is rather ingenious but extremely simple in design-I was quite impressed.

I am still trying to overcome my surprise at the weight of one of the loose wheels. This felt like something in the order of twice the weight of anything I've worked with before. Simply lifting the new wheel onto the hub took quite a bit of thinking and lining up.

The whole process of locking deployable steps, raising suspension, winching out the spare wheel meant that I am now extremely glad to have carried out this process in my garage rather than out in the elements. I would kindly recommend it to anybody to try as a dummy run even if you have changed a wheel a number of times in the past. 2016 SDV8 AB

I just phone LR assist, its far less vexing

You do not have to lock out the deployable steps. To replace wheel.
Just do not open the any of the doors and they will stay retracted.

You could just press and hold the steps button and they are disabled, takes 10 secs

If you're using anything other than a trolley jack you want the suspension lowered, not raised. i.e. Remove pressure from the airbags.

I use a Trolley jack under the relevant lower suspension arm which means you're not jacking the body so you only need a few inches of lift. Much safer than any alternatives I've tried. Any jack is a lot more stable in the lower parts of the lift, I really don't like having a jack at it's upper limits for any reason.

I can lift the spare out without the winch but I need to kneel on the lower tailgate to do it. They are heavy for sure. But far worse is having to do this, at the side of the road, caravan on the back, wife stood with 3 dogs on leads, boot unpacked on the kerb and a punctured offside tyre nicely in the flow of traffic so my boy had to stand there waving a hi-vis vest to try and keep me safe.

^ no rain then  ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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Mate, that was about the only saving grace

Oh, another top tip. Halford Pro 24" long, 1/2" drive breaker bar and the appropriate socket fit nicely in the spare wheel cubby. Not only does it make undoing the wheel nuts a breeze but it can also be used as a lever under the wheel to help positioning when refitting. Get the stud pattern in about the right place and lever the wheel up on to the studs.

Final tip. Keep a decent size bin bag in there as well. Put this over the old wheel before you lift it back into the boot. Saves getting your clothes covered in brake dust.

Hi Drf, If I push and hold the step button for ten seconds it drives my steps to the out position then they are disabled in the out position then the steps would be in the way of the jack
Am I doing something wrong ? Or does yours work differently to this.?.