Catastrophic breakdown..

Just had the Freelander seize up on the way back to the UK. Crunching sound from underneath then finally grinding to a halt with no way of pushing/pulling the vehicle - had to be craned on to a breakdown truck. Lucky we were next to an auto route service station.

I'm guessing the VCU has given up (138k miiles) but wonder what other parts should be replaced along with that to make it useable again?

any help appreciated as I need to get it back on the road before the snow arrives, or buy another Disco..

It's going to be expensive repair ! Whole engine gearbox out and numerous patrs needed !! Cheapest way second hand unit !! Low mileage vehicle donor is best !! Good luck

Second thoughts get a disco !! Much better vehicle good in snow too ! Try to find a disco with a good chassis and body ! They rot bad around sills and boot floor area !!!!

Long story short - we also have a Disco 300tdi. Fortunately our friends were able to bring it to us to continue the trip.

Anyone know ifs it's possible that I might be able to drive it in 2-wheel mode? I'd like to get it back to the barn and break it for spares....

Harold 4x4 said:

Anyone know ifs it's possible that I might be able to drive it in 2-wheel mode? I'd like to get it back to the barn and break it for spares....

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Sounds like your IRD is munged so no.

Your VCU probably fooked off to the great green lane in the sky shortly before your IRD decided it sounded nice and packed its bags too. 'Swhat it sounds like to me.

Why the fook didn't you replace the VCU if you were at 138k ???? Oh well doesn't matter now. If you're going to get it repaired in the UK there's none better than Bell Engineering, and they'll even buy your busted bits off you as part ex for the work I believe. Recon'ed VCU will be about £230 including bearings (your's will be fecked at 130k) and a recon IRD starts at £615 from Bell last time I looked, you're not going to get them much cheaper than that unless it's a scrap one. Could be wrong though

Best of luck and I'll be interested to see how you get on.

Oh and if you do decide to break it, is it a facelift and what year? Might want a wee bit or two .

Will.

Serves yu right. Yu ain't a noob.

We don't say test it regularly for brownie points .

You have learned the hard way.

It's like not checking your water level and then boiling over. Tis poor maintenance.

The Mad Hat Man said:

Serves yu right. Yu ain't a noob.

We don't say test it regularly for brownie points .

You have learned the hard way.

It's like not checking your water level and then boiling over. Tis poor maintenance.

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Have to agree! You've been on here long enough to know the problems, why bury your head in the sand! For £230 you've just written your car off!

Diesel Do said:

Have to agree! You've been on here long enough to know the problems, why bury your head in the sand! For £230 you've just written your car off!

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see uvva fred

The Mad Hat Man said:

see uvva fred

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What uvva Fred????

"wot he sed "

The Mad Hat Man said:

"wot he sed "

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Oh I see! Cos we're both cleverer

Tis a great shame though . It's my worst fear and nearly put me off getting the car as I thought the damage might already have been done. Turns out it's ok so just removed the prop while I save for a new VCU and tyres. Hell of an expensive lesson to learn though .

Will.

Can't disagree with the comments, and thanks for all the sympathy..

Ironically, I was due to get a replacement from Bell before Xmas last year but 'life' got in the way. Tough-titty for me!

Harold 4x4 said:

Can't disagree with the comments, and thanks for all the sympathy..

Ironically, I was due to get a replacement from Bell before Xmas last year but 'life' got in the way. Tough-titty for me!

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Did you ever run it with the prop off? Feels different but allows you some time get life fook off and leave you to enjoy the important things.

I forgot to add - it's already had one replacement VCU before I bought it with around 99k on it.

Anyone know ifs it's possible that I might be able to drive it in 2-wheel mode? I'd like to get it back to the barn and break it for spares....

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You'll never know unless you try.

just try taking the whole prop off it might not be so bad as you think no use people rubbishing you for not doing things you need a bit of help i would try what I suggested you never know then you can get it back and fix it and drive all winter long I know of some disco owners you say they are amazed at what the freelander can do

I would think that driving it with a damaged IRD would, not only destroy the IRD, but also the gearbox, but to be honest I don't actually know, not having driven one like that.

I suppose it's the cost of a front wheels up tow against the cost of a gearbox. Good luck.

Chock wheels on floor and take hand brake oft when doing the following:

Lift both front wheels. Put in neutral and turn one front wheel. Other side front should turn in opposite direction. Now put in gear (or park for auto) and wheels shouldn’t turn.

Lift both rear wheels and turn one and other one will turn in opposite direction.

Now lift both wheels on one side only. Put in neutral and turn front wheel. Rear wheel should turn in same direction. Put wheels back on floor and lift both wheels on other side. Same again, turn front and rear will turn.

If it don’t work as above, then remove one prop and lift one rear wheel. Turn it and rear diff prop connection will turn. Put wheel on floor and do the same to other rear wheel.

Now lift only 1 front wheel and turn it. Ird pinion should turn when it’s in neutral, but not when in gear. Put wheel on floor and try the same with other front wheel.

If at any time you feel something wrong, then yer got yer problem. If it’s seized and won’t push then could be gearbox, ird or rear diff. Could be mechanical failure and vcu may be ok. Try the one wheel up test.

Just re-read the op first post. If it was lifted into a breakdown truck then there is no problem getting it delivered to your garage so yu can break it for spares. Or won't they deliver it?