~ The HIDDEN HOUSE where all manner of special cars go for love ~
5603 S Palo Verde Road
---------------------- Tucson, Arizona ------------------------
85706
with voice mail anytime office is closed
-- Conveniently located on Palo Verde and I-10 --
- Specialist in service for the Range Rover and Land Rover line of vehicles for over 20 years.
- Specialized knowledge and equipment at competitive rates.
- Factory extended warranties honored, as well as all after-market warranties.
- VISA. and MasterCard credit cards accepted.
- Pride: The Best Warranty in the business: 2 year/24,000 miles
- Skilled staff meet the highest standards in the field of repair.
- No City sales tax! (really helps on the big stuff)
MY ROVER NEEDS AN EXPERIENCED LAND ROVER MECHANIC!
Welcome. Our
service addresses goals of
reliability, longevity and cost-effective ownership. We are not the
Tucson Land Rover
Dealer, but instead the best dealer-alternative in Tucson, and our only
Rover Specialist.
No other shop here (nor even Royal Land Rover, the new dealer here) is
so well experienced
and equipped for Rovers. Not new-comers, jumping on the Land Rover
bandwagon like the Tucson Mercedes repair shops, our crew all
know Rover trucks ... for decades. 
We hop right to the
problem, since
we've likely seen it before, rather than learning-how, like our
competitors do - on your
dime. We use Genuine Rover Parts at competitive prices, and will offer
inexpensive
after-market parts when ever appropriate. In addition to Land Rover and
Range Rover we offer
experienced service for Alfa
Romeo,
Mini Cooper, Jaguar, most other British cars,
and Toyota
Prius hybrids. Restorations available too, and
performed competently and affordably, whether your car is 5 years old
or 75. Schedule an
appointment OR just drop by the shop. Same location for over 20 years.
We're on 3
acres, but only 50' wide at the street. Look for Hidden House of
repair: Look for
all the Rovers!
Alan
- Mechanic, Service Manager. Land Rover since 1976, also
Rolls Royce, Jaguar,
Austin Healey, MG, Triumph, Aston Martin, Alfa-Romeo etc etc. Engineer.
Machinist. 'Alan fixes everything.'
Drives a '66 109"
full-canvas Land Rover.
Bill - Mechanic.
Land Rover tech since 1991. Ford
Factory trained. Technician since 1974. Gives you
your full hour,
and then some. There is no better line mechanic,
bar-none. Drives a Mustang
... or two ... or three.
Stephen - Mechanic.
Land Rover, Mini Cooper, and Jaguar tech.
Six years of professional Range Rover practice; excellent fabricator;
machinist
apprentice. Reads all the mags and knows all the cool Rover stuff
available. Wheels
an '88 Range Rover, and sometimes, get this! drives his '85 Citroën
turbo-gas.
Matthew -
Apprentice. He has been with
us for over three years
as apprentice, and is as loyal and caring as they get. He's
getting realy good.
Vanessa
- Reception. Totally into
cars, she is a mechanical engineering student at U of A, and we are very proud to
have her
on board. Hales from Nogales she drives a ... well, a ... Nissan ...
but wants nothing
more than a new Corvette. Also fluent Español.
SEARCH OUR SITE with Google-Power:
Custom Search
SPECIAL ROVER
PROBLEM SOLVERS TODAY: 
Also check out our Online shopping page, or call 520-294-3572 to order ---
*Both rear windows stop working ... at the same time ... on Discovery One, or '95 Classic:
We repair intermittent window lift ECUs (computers). Yep, that's the problem: Inside the computer you will find a burned-way solder joint. Typically this runs $37 on the bench to fix, and turnaround is same day. If you bring the truck in to the workshop and have us remove the unit for repair it will run about $85.
*Discovery Series 2 ('99 to '04) ABS "shuttle valve switch" fault codes. Trouble shooting:
*ABS Modulator shuttle valve switch kit with seals for Discovery Series II:
Ahhh ... Rover urban legend. SLABS Fault code 11,4. Folks claiming that shuttle valve switches cannot be replaced with any reliability have overlooked the obvious: if the shuttle valves themselves are leaking brake fluid into the switches - imagine this - the fluid can be causing the failure in the first place. Rover / WABCO does not supply the seals, but we do. Using our shuttle valve kit assures longer life than changing the switches alone. Land Rover Discovery shuttle valve fault codes from leaky modulators ( our "tres amigos") are eliminated. Repair kits include seals, upgraded "E" clips, and switch assy, and can be mail-ordered here. Easy to install, but does require Testbook to clear codes and to actively bleed the brakes afterward.
(Incomplete manual brake bleeds done by big-box brake shops is the major reason many D2 trucks have low and spongy pedals. Air leaks into the brake fluid through weak shuttle valve seals will also cause this fault). Repeat!! Brake bleed procedure on Disco 1 and Disco 2 CANNOT be done fully without either the Testbook factory computer or perhaps the Autologic knock-off.
BTW, Range Rovers after 89 are very difficult to bleed too, but do not require the proprietary computer. For Range-Rover-specific bleed tricks, and so much more, you gotta buy that Rover ABS bible we've got shown below.
*Discovery 2 and Range Rover ABS Brake maintenance:
We recommend changing the ABS pump relay on all Range Rovers, 1990 to 2002, every 90k miles. Also, we suggest replacing the shuttle valve seals in the modulator of the Disco 2 every 60k miles. Range Rovers also need new accumulators every 5 years or so. These are known and predictable wear items -- not flukes. By these preventative measures the cost of ownership is reduced: the cost of repairs if you wait until these actually fail is always higher -- sometimes much higher. Also, in our experience using Ferodo brake pads and Brembo rotors also reduces costs in the long run, provides much improved braking, and eliminates brake noise issues: you'll become a happy-camper in a nano-second!
*Lug nuts with deformed stainless caps (so called "chrome lug nuts"):
We call these covers "happy caps." Often they are not so happy at all. On the roadside (or in the shop, for us) the operator will not be happy either. Unless you're enamored with the chromy look (in which case we can sell you new nuts for 20-something$ each) we recommend removing the caps. They press or tear right off. After the first few you'll get the hang of it (we charge about $50 to do all 20). Beneath them lie perfectly functional and reliable plated lug nuts. Carry a 26mm socket for the real nut behind the thin veil. Alternatively, black lugnuts without Happy Caps from an early Classic will fit all Classics, Disco 1, and Defender.
*Discovery Series II lifts, with rear air suspension (Self Leveling or SLABS):
With the installation of a pair of extended EMU front springs we will recalibrate the rear height to your taste, for only $75. Any other TestBook or AutoLogic shop can also do this for you ... if so inclined. And if you'd like to fit your own front springs, we can still re-set your rears to the new spec. at the normal rate of about $110.
*Range Rover Classic steering pump re-seal kits:
We keep seal
kits for both early and late versions of Hoburn Eaton power
steering pumps found on
Range Rovers
through 1995. Also,
if not exploded,
the ZF pumps on Discovery Series 1 can be re-sealed. If you prefer, we
also offer a
rebuilding service in-house for these pumps. Please call for pricing
and turnaround.
*Rear step return spring, Discovery Series 1:
The cylinder (gas spring) which hold these up is only available with the purchase of a whole new step. So we offer a new gas spring kit which is a good direct replacement, but which takes a generic spring. Looks and feels like the original, and new cylinders are totally available once converted. Available online.
*Window regulator rollers for Discovery 1:
Disco window regulators usually just break their little plastic rollers. One new regulator installed, and there goes nearly a couple hundred bucks! The rear windows use only one roller per side and most commonly fail. We manufacture new metal rollers and sell them with installation instructions. Made from 6061T6 aluminum, these are perfect replacements and you'll never revisit this problem again! Good parts are not cheap, so most of our sales are to garages, dealers, and serious owners. (Order one metal roller or get a discount for quantities).
*Buying an ABS brake pump, Classic and New (P38) Range Rover?
For known-bad power brake pumps we made this buying-guide page to help remove confusion about such options as, "would you like a switch with that?"
When these pumps are noisy or weak they are not necessarily bad: these are symptoms of when the brakes are not properly bled for example. If the accumulator (sphere) has failed the debris from the unit can be distributed throughout the system and a complete bleed is a must. But, if after a complete bleed 'by the book' the pump runs fine but will not develop sufficient pressure, or makes scratchy noises, the problem is still proably not the pump: Before the inlet line on P38's, and within the pump body on Classics, there is an inlet screen. Check whether it is clogged. Many perfectly good pumps have been changed because of this problem. Remember to ONLY USE "CASTROL GTLMA" brake fluid!! No substitute is acceptable!! The DOT4 rating does NOT define compatibility. DOT5 silicone fluid is damaging.
Still not sure whether to buy a new pump? Probably best to get more information on this -- and like this: please buy the Range Rover brake system Bible (right below), which includes both bleed proceedures and techniques in detail. We geneally have rebuilt pumps for P38a on hand if necessay.
* Range Rover Brakes, information, technical help, tips, repair techniques
So many are
overwhelmed by Range Rover ABS brakes
that we had a book written to clarify the system for people.
On web sites like Rangerovers.net
there are many snippets of information, many risky tips and
advice, but no basic
explanation of the ABS brake system which leaves the reader any less
confused or
intimidated. To solve that problem, for 
independent
garages and Rover owners alike
we now offer the complete
Range Rover ABS Brake Book, available as a quick
download. No Range Rover owner
should submit their truck to a repair shop and trust to the outcome,
unless they at least
know the basics, or they will almost certainly waste money on
unnecessary repairs.
Go to the dealer armed, get out your wrenches armed,
or shop for a competent
independent mechanic in your area for service for your Range Rover armed
with
information! Diagnostics, faults, typical symptoms,
and a plain-language
overview make this paper the absolute authority on Range Rover ABS
brakes.
Background information in it makes it fully meaningful to the
non-technician as much as to
the initiated. Buy
the only WABCO ABS 'Bible'.
*Borg Warner transfer lube for Classics
Semi-synthetic transfer case lube, specially formulated and tested by us. Our Borg Warner specific oil is far superior to ATF for extending the life of the center differential and the rear output shaft. It will not harm the oil pump or viscous coupling and can extend chain life too. The viscous coupling itself is a sealed unit so transfer case lube can not improve a failing one at all. We recommend changing transfer case oil each 15-18k miles. Also, preemptive BW output shaft replacement should be done no less often than each 150k miles! Sold by the gallon our oil runs $49.50.
*Distributor upper spindle retainer
These fit all distributor type Disco and all Classic Range Rover. When the rotor is rusted on and finally comes off, the pull often breaks the brittle nylon button that holds the advance mechanism together. The old nylon button has never been supplied separately by either Lucas or Rover. We offer a new Teflon® button for sale. For purposes of periodic lubrication of the auto-advance mechanism, which really helps gas mileage and power, our buttons, unlike the original, can be reused many times.
*Discovery door latch repair
Discovery doors, usually the rear sides and rear hatch, become intermittent, locking themselves when the door is slammed, or on rough road, or failing to unlock on the power locks. Also, if the one in the driver's door is at fault the doors might lock and unlock with no rhyme or reason - repeatedly. A small special spring has broken inside the latch in the door. Instead of replacing the entire latch assembly, we make and fit a new spring for $45 per latch, plus shipping. This, of course, includes a thorough cleaning, adjustment and lubrication of the unit. Turnaround is one business day.
Perhaps this should be under FAQs below: No, we do not have a pattern spring to sell you. We make them up to fit the latch. To do it yourself just buy a spring of the same wire gage and diameter, cut out the bit you need, form the ends, and fit it. That's all we do.
*EAS pump faults, (P38) New Range Rover
Noisy or weak air compressor? We offer new piston seals. We also post Air Suspension tips, Technical details, services, and otherwise unavailable parts here!
If
you would like us to rebuild your EAS compressor,
depending on the level of damage, it usually runs about $245
plus shipping.
Beats a sharp-stick-in-the-eye, 3/4 used-up used pump,
every day.
*Diagnostic test procedure for Discovery 1 Cruise
Factory manuals for Discovery 1 omit the simple sequential procedure for conclusively diagnosing cruise control faults. For an easy walk-through in plain English, you can buy as a download our handy complete pamphlet.
*Disco 1 Instrument surround repair
Send us your broken instrument surround, and as many of the pieces as you can find, and we can usually fix it quite nicely for less than $75. If you want to try it yourself, use Weldon® #3 as the bonding agent, and Lexan® for the missing bits and added structure. We also do many seat bases and Classic radio surround/fuse box holders, and fuse box covers this way too. We cannot quote these without seeing the remnants however.
*Solex carburetor overhauls
Our carburettors are the best, bar none. Series I, Series II, Series IIA, Series III, or your XK120 Jaguar. Whether parts are available is no issue since we can make most any needed. We build the finest operating and looking carbs for aircraft, cars, trucks, and bikes. SU, Zenith, Stromberg, Solex, Weber, Dellorto, Marvel, Holley (aviation) and more. We also perform the finest overhaul work on distributors, fuel pumps, and magnetos, including Lucas, CAV, Bendix, AC (UK), Delco (UK), Marelli, Valeo and more. Call or email, and ask for Alan if you are interested in purchasing the finest carburetor overhaul money can buy. Pricing varies depending on the condition of your core, and the level of cosmetic restoration you desire.
*New Range Rover (P38a) main fuse box
If your relays have that well-baked appearance on their lower sides, and those circuits are extraordinarily intermittent, the fault often lies in the fuse box itself, not just the relay. This is the heart of your truck's electrical system, and often affects Air Conditioning, Engine Management, ABS and Air Suspension leading to fault codes, confusion, and costly and unnecessary computer diagnostics. Check that the connectors below the board are not loose, or the board below the relay melted. If so, the heat is from a bad solder connection inside the box. New ones have become so reasonable in price that repair is no longer the best option.
for more random Land Rover pix ... click these!
Interesting car, truck, and airplane links to check out:
-->
Q: Why do you take the time to fix parts when new ones are available?
A: No. But we are the very best at what we do.
Q: I drove by 15 times and can't find you. How do I find you ... in person?
A: Slow down? No mystery: we are a stationary target. 5603 is right after 5601 (also on our property), and so forth. If southbound, for example, all odd numbers will be on your left (east). Look for the tree or the billboard. Here are some cool maps of unique ways to get there from various parts, to smooth the ride. Also, remember that there's NO traffic in our area, compared with say ... oh ... anyplace else in Tucson. Allow 15 minutes from UofA to Falconworks at rush hour for example; 25 minutes from Ina and La Cholla; ten minutes from Davis Monthan; ten minutes from ElCon; 15 minutes from Raytheon.
-->
Q: Don't you need a special proprietary computer for many diagnostics, and even some of the repairs on newer Rovers?
A: Yes. We use the Factory Land Rover tool. But there are after-market knock-offs available, such as the Autologic tool, and the much inferior Rovacom which more generic European repair garages can afford.
-->
Q: Isn't Royal Land Rover's diagnostic computer better than what you use?
A: No. We have the most current version (the T4) of the factory Rover tool called TestBook, the exact same computer all Land Rover dealers use. Also, unlike Autologic, the tool our competition uses, our system offers you all diagnostic interfaces for Classics and early Disco and Defenders too.
-->
Q: My Classic headliner is falling down, can you fix it?
A: No. We do not perform paint & body work, nor upholstery repairs. Locally, in Tucson, we can recommend a small, fair, highly skilled trim shop for that headlining however. We have worked with the owner/operator for over 20 years. Andy is the best, and we hope to never need to look for a replacement. His Diversified Auto Upholstery is a European car specialist and does convertible top repair and replacement, to worn leather seats, to ... well ... falling down Rover Classic headliners.
-->
Q: Do you get the whole window regulator with roller kit?
A: No. Sorry.
-->
Q: Are you that retreat for the off-Broadway artists, then?
A: No. "Falconworks" is indeed a place, but one in Tucson, Arizona. It is named after the one in England (Falcon Works, London Road, Isleworth Middlesex) where sports cars were made in the '20s, '30s and early '50s. They were talented and inventive folks who worked there and we respect them. Here's an exceedingly long story of our origins in Tucson.
-->
Q: How much is an oil change?
A: Our least favorite question: it should be what is an oil change?
$69.20 for Discovery to '04 and Range Rover to '02. $150 for Freelander, New Range Rovers (BMW and Ford), Sport and LR3. Most late Jaguar run about $100. "Oil change" is an interim service, because performing an oil change, and neglecting the other filters, lube, adjustment, and inspection items which should be done at the recommended interval is often not in your best interest. We do as you ask, but since we work in your best interest we usually encourage spending a bit more on maintenance, depending on your situation and your commitment to the truck. Some services will be more, and some less, done on a schedule, but we can help even these out by planning over time - rather than hitting a 60k Service and suddenly needing to spend $1200 to catch up. At Falconworks, quality is king. We use only top grade materials. Just the motor oil itself which we use (Castrol® GTX or Syntec, depending on engine type and mileage between services) in your truck, and the genuine Land Rover oil filter, cost more than the whole so-called service at the quicky lube place.
-->
Q: What is the difference between maintenance and repair?
A: Repair is what we do to vehicles which don't get maintenance. See: "How much is an oil change", above, or just Google 'towtruck flatbed Tucson'.
-->
Q: How much is a 60k Service for my Discovery, LR3, or Range Rover?
A: If the vehicle is not up to date on maintenance otherwise, it will run just under $1200. Sometimes as little as $900 if a truly loved Rover.
-->
Q: Are you cheaper than the Dealer?
A: A little bit. But please don't come to us looking for a cheaper job, just for a better value.
-->
Q: My brakes squeak and squeal. Sometimes I can't stand it. Is there anything which can be done, and if expensive, is there anything which must be done?
A: Most brake lining inspections are free. If the linings are good, we will advise that if you want to live with the noise and avoid the expense, it will be ok. Usually the quality of the brake linings installed (known as "pads") is the main cause of noise - not wear or hazard. If you saved $20 on your last brake job (at the likes of Pep Boys, Brake Max, Brake Masters, Midas, Wal-Mart Auto, etc.) you were sold cheap pads which can be noisy or ineffective. Another common problem we often see is caused by the amateur installers these places use: a pad in backwards often works OK and is safe, but makes noise. You would be amazed at how often we see brake linings installed backwards, or without correct cleaning, new hardware and lubrication. Some higher quality pads, such as the ones we use at Falconworks (Ferodo or Jurid for example) use a different material for the last 1/4 of the lining thickness which may make noise only when badly worn - as a safety warning. On most Rovers nad Jaguars we will inspect your pads for FREE, so please stop by if you are concerned: its no big deal - no worries please. Also, and perhaps most importantly: WHEN YOU BUY BRAKE PADS INSTALLED AT FALCONWORKS WE WARRANTY AGAINST NOISE! Our 2 year warranty (against ANY defects in workmanship or material) covers noisy brakes too, lest the new pads are already worn out.
-->
Q: How does British car service differ from that of a Honda, or BMW? Why can't the quick lube service my Jaguar or Land Rover as well?
A: Drip pans and kitty-litter. Ah, but really, unique tools are needed, and a genuine understanding of the Brit engineer's mindset. Besides, there is no substitute for experience, and you really benefit from having ours [eons of it] on your side! Our Rover and Jaguar specific diagnostic computers help too. Of course the other European repair places can do most of the work, but their guesswork and minor mistakes WILL cost you more in the end. We KNOW these cars and their quirks.
-->
Q: The dealer pampers me, at Royal their waiting room is five star, free car washes, occasional loaner cars ... what does an independent like you have to offer me?
A: Sincere honesty. A clean, well equipped, highly skilled shop. Savings ... which will,on a 30k Service, pay for the Enterprise rental car they will discount for our clients, and pocket some cash too. We work for you! They work for your car's $$. Do you realize how inexperienced their mechanics are, or how motivated they are (by their commission pay) to take advantage of you? We have each been in the Dealer environment - know how it works - and have rejected it. Get a look at the man behind their curtain, if you can, and I am sure you will wish your Land Rover or Jaguar had come to visit Falconworks instead, where the garage is cleaner than our lounge is. We also consider, and advise you about, the wisdom of most repairs - they just put on the blinders and "fix" the car. We put you in control, and give you the ability to communicate your needs with us. How many bogus headgasket and rear main seal jobs do you really need to buy?? Do you want gloss, or do you want skill, communication, and honesty? BTW, our warranty is exactly twice theirs. TWICE! Just how confident is Royal in their workmanship? And we have 15 years more experience than they do, with which to back it up! Of course we think we're the best, but we'll get off our soap box now. OK then. Fine, go to the dealer. Its you money.
-->
Q: How long have you been at this location?
A: Give or take a few inches, twenty (20) years.
*************************************************** ***************************************************
28 May 2010
RANGE ROVER SERVICE ARIZONA:
Falconworks is Land Rover Tucson! Range Rover and Land Rover Independent, proud to be
headquarters for all Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and southeastern California.
Falconworks Welcome Page | Back to top | Our mail-order parts page | Our Prius-Hut services