Front Diff and Viscous coupling

Sad to return home from vacation to receive bad news on 2001 1.8 Anniversary manual. A loud clonk whilst in reverse turns out to be a shot viscous coupling and smashed front diff at only 58,000 miles. Am told that this is a common fault and after spending £2,300 in repairs am told it is likely to go again in another 60,000 odd miles. Anyone got similar problems? Any help from Land Rover that anyone is aware of.

hello! I have a 2001 td4 and touch wood mine doesnt do that and I have not had a new diff or viscous coupling mine has done 64,000miles...

Hi must ask do you mean IRD unit not front diff ? this is not a common problem at all all down to how where and what conditions the car is under only done 1 viscous coupling in 4 years due breaking up and 1 ird to bearing noise prop bearings go and so does the rear diff front mount,important to keep an eye on this mount as it stops the diff going up and down but also cause excesive wear to rear tyres only £16 and 10 mins to fit so be aware,cheers tiga.

Sorry, not up technically on 4 wheel drives. Garage bill states Viscous coupling and IRD unit replaced - thought that was front diff. What does IRD stand for? Anyway, would not have expected this kind of failure on a car with 58,000 miles on it and not from a company that has been building 4 wheel drives since the Second World War. Did anyone see the article/postbag letter in the Sunday Times last week as someone told me that a similar incident was compensated by Land Rover to the tune of 70% of the cost of repairs. Anyone know anything about it?

IRD = Intermediate Reduction Drive

Think of it as a transfer box between the front and back wheels.

Floatey,
I own a 1998 Freelander 2.0 XEDi which I have had for two years. Vehicle has a full Land Rover service history and has never had any problems until 2 months ago. At this time I noticed a slight oil leak from the rear and the sound of transmission noise. The Land Rover dealership diagnosed a failed rear differential which was replaced at the same time as the 96,000 mile service. Total cost about £1700.
2 months later and only 1,800 miles since service and repair by Land Rover and the car became undriveable on the motorway and had to be recovered at my own expense. Land Rover dealership diagnosed a failed IRD unit. Cost £1200 to replace. Dealership explained that as these are two common failures on the early Freelanders it could be that the viscous coupling had also seized. The dealership wanted to replace the IRD unit and it was only when I asked them to conduct the test on the viscous coupling as documented on Ashcroft-Transmissions website that they found it had seized. Total Price for new IRD and coupling £1900?
I am currently in dispute with the dealership as clearly they know this is a common fault and at time of rear diff failure they should have checked the viscous coupling and did'nt. For the sake of about a further £700 for the viscous coupling I would have prevented the IRD unit from failing.
Land Rover UK deny that there are any faults with their parts and the dealership state that the experience of their service technicians would have spotted a seized viscous coupling. I beg to differ as it was only the service manager who knew of the Ashcroft test of raising one wheel off the ground and trying to turn the wheel.
Dealership are not admitting liability and wouldn't accept my offer of paying for the viscous coupling, labour and VAT if they fund the IRD unit, labour and VAT.
Trading standards advise that I have a good case under The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 as they hadn't serviced my vehicle with reasonable car and skill.
May have to pursue this matter in the small claims court for the sake of £80.
I absolutely love the car but this has been a horror story!

Anyone else got some advice, horror stories or be able to help me find evidence that this is a very common problem on the early Freelanders which clearly Land Rover know of the faults but deny ?

Thanks

Also the early Freelanders had the wrong differentials fitted out of the factory, these in turn killed the Viscous Coupling and IRD. Try and stick to a post 2000 model.

Hi folks,
a week before Christmas my 1990 RR Classic (2.5VM diesel) started to make a loud banging noise as I drove along. Having limped home I found that the visous coupling has seized and had smashed several teeth from the crown wheel of the front diff. The axle has been repaired and I am waiting for legs or Ashcroft to reurn from their holidays before buying a new coupling.

Meanwhile I have a 4 x 2 as we have removed the front prop-shaft, its nice and quiet and uses less fuel.

Prior to the diff breaking I noticed several of the symptons detailed on the Ashcroft web site and in future will keep an closer eye on the transmision.