help violent juddering on pull away

hi all

well i have just joined the world of landrovers(was it a good move)and already i have what seems like quite a major problem. when i pull away in 1st gear there is a violent juddering coming from the back of the car and quite noisy and makes the body shake with it.it dont seem so bad when the car is cold it gradually gets worse but dosnt do it all the time it all depends at what position the clutch pedal is at and how many revs i applie.if the car is slowly rollin forward its not so bad its from a standstill it occurs driving through 1st to 5th gear is fine with no noises or vibrations could it be the vcu that i have read so much about?
any help would be great as i dont want to damage anything

cheers

tel

eltel said:

hi all

well i have just joined the world of landrovers(was it a good move)and already i have what seems like quite a major problem. when i pull away in 1st gear there is a violent juddering coming from the back of the car and quite noisy and makes the body shake with it.it dont seem so bad when the car is cold it gradually gets worse but dosnt do it all the time it all depends at what position the clutch pedal is at and how many revs i applie.if the car is slowly rollin forward its not so bad its from a standstill it occurs driving through 1st to 5th gear is fine with no noises or vibrations could it be the vcu that i have read so much about?
any help would be great as i dont want to damage anything

cheers

tel

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Check that the rear diff mounts aren't loose. If everything is fine with them and you suspect the VCU then you can remove it and the props and drive it in 2wd to see if the problem goes away. Driving it in 2wd will defeat the point of buying it in the first place.

If you got it from a dealer then take it back and have them sort it out.

do you think if the vcu was shot it could cause this sort of problem?

if the vcu was knackered it could be damaging the final drive (rear diff) which could cause those symptoms. If the rear tyres are worn wavey or saw-toothed then the vcu is definately knackered.

so if i remove the propshaft can i just remove the rear section or do i need to remove the lot to test it ?

eltel said:

so if i remove the propshaft can i just remove the rear section or do i need to remove the lot to test it ?

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You must always remove the VCU and props as an assembly to avoid damage to each part.

Unbolt the props from the diffs before you unbolt the VCU supports as the weight of the VCU will rip the front CV joint apart, and don't let the front CV joint bend to much or it will break.

and if this cures the problem will it be ok to drive around until i get a replacement part im not gonna get any oil leaks from the ird or rear diff?

Lots of people drive their freelanders in 2wd all the time. You'll need a blanking plate for the IRD.

Have you made sure that it isn't your clutch.

no not yet coz it really does feel like its just at the rear and i would of thought that if it was the clutch i would have felt it at the front aswell?it all depends how i pull away if i were to give it abit of welly its really quite bad but if im gentle then its not as bad

As well as rear diff mounts coming loose there have also been cases of rear subframes coming loose. Worth checking aswell.

ok i will check it all out tomorrow .this plate for the idr is it easily obtainable?

first place i'd look would be the rear diff mounts as this would be a very easy fix.

eltel said:

ok i will check it all out tomorrow .this plate for the idr is it easily obtainable?

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Probably on e-bay.

or rear chassis cracking. look in the Q's and A's section.

as for prop removal - :search: for "mondo mode"

howardo said:

Probably on e-bay.

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thanks for your help i have a brooklyn 4x4 by me i will see if they have a plate

rear diff,front mounting, check this thoroughly first.

i hope it is something simple like that i will find out in the morning

eltel said:

thanks for your help i have a brooklyn 4x4 by me i will see if they have a plate

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Don't bother, there's no need to fit a blanking plate if all your doing is removing the prop. Their only use is if the output pinion is fecked and making a racket and you don't want to replace it.

search for tippex test, to check your VCU isn't siezed

well guys thanks for your help and i have found the problem.i went down to kwikfit this morning and bribed one of the guys with a drink and he stuck the motor on the ramps and it turns out that the front diff mount is totally shot and the two rear mounts are following closely behind so a quick trip to hunters landrover for the the 3 bushes and now im £135 quid worse off.but thats better than having to replace the vcu.i did have a look at the vcu whilst i was under there and on the face of it it dont look that old and the rear tyres were checked for any wear and they are fine too,so all is good i just need a break in the weather so i can get out there and fit these bushes.can i fit them without having to remove the diff ?