Subframe arms

Hi folks, my Dads got a 2012 Freelander 2 td4 GS, which needs a new subframe. It’s a later VIN model and I’ve managed to acquire the sub frame ok, now I need to source the arms. My question is, are the arms specific to the later sub frame or are they common across the model years. VIN a attached for info

Fatrover said:

Hi folks, my Dads got a 2012 Freelander 2 td4 GS, which needs a new subframe. It’s a later VIN model and I’ve managed to acquire the sub frame ok, now I need to source the arms. My question is, are the arms specific to the later sub frame or are they common across the model years. VIN a attached for info

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What do you mean by arms? Are you talking about the suspension links?
I believe the subframe is common across all years, the only differences being an AWD subframe and a 2WD subframe. The suspension links are likely the same, as the only differences between AWD and 2WD are the diff mounts on the subframe, and it's shape to accommodate the diff.

There are kits available, which come with subframe, links and bolts, so everything can be renewed at once. These kits are pretty good value, when compared to buying the links and all important bolts separately. You have to take into consideration that all the bolts used are TTY (stretch bolts) so they must be replaced when removed, even if the suspension links themselves might not need replacing.

Yes, suspension links. I can find kits for earlier VIN but not for later ones like ours, so I need to source the sub frame and arms separately, ….it seems that there are two different sub frames depending upon the VIN, ours is the later one apparently. The link below explains….

I can't work out why the later Freelander would be any different to the earlier one. The body didn't change, the suspension links didn't change, so everything from the early and late should fit. I've come across owners fitting the subframe from a Evoque to an early FL2, which is slightly different due to wheel track, however it works. As far as I know, the only differences was AWD or 2WD, everything else should fit no problem.
That seller is suggesting that the kit they sell doesn't fit a vehicle with a DPF, which is daft because the DPF is at front of the exhaust, not the back near the subframe. I see they also don't supply the subframe to body bolts, which are also TTY bolts so much be replaced.

I'll look into this on another forum I frequent.

I can’t figure it out either! Very grateful for your help so far

Is the later sub frame to accommodate the 4 cylinder petrol engine?

GrumpyGel said:

Is the later sub frame to accommodate the 4 cylinder petrol engine?

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Possible I suppose, but as the subframe is at the back, I still don't quite understand what difference the engine makes.
I'm thinking that maybe there was a change of suspension geometry, which meant the mounting points for the links were in a different place, although I think this is unlikely.

Nodge68 said:

Possible I suppose, but as the subframe is at the back, I still don't quite understand what difference the engine makes.
I'm thinking that maybe there was a change of suspension geometry, which meant the mounting points for the links were in a different place, although I think this is unlikely.

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This seller states that the subframes fits from 2006 up to 2014 ? so i too don't know why they would be different

A potential difference has sprung to mind. The later vehicles after 2012 have electronic parking brakes, but the earlier car had a normal hand parking brake. Now the subframe has threaded holes for brackets to support the cables for the manual parking brake, but those wouldn't be needed on the later cars with EPB. It could be a simple thing like that, as I really can't think of another reason why they would differ.

GrumpyGel said:

Is the later sub frame to accommodate the 4 cylinder petrol engine?

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Ours is a TD4

Nodge68 said:

A potential difference has sprung to mind. The later vehicles after 2012 have electronic parking brakes, but the earlier car had a normal hand parking brake. Now the subframe has threaded holes for brackets to support the cables for the manual parking brake, but those wouldn't be needed on the later cars with EPB. It could be a simple thing like that, as I really can't think of another reason why they would differ.

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Ours has a manual hand brake and the later VIN …..mystery deepens

Arctic2 said:

This seller states that the subframes fits from 2006 up to 2014 ? so i too don't know why they would be different

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2 L359 REAR SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER & REAR ARMS (2006-2014) | eBay

Land Rover Freelander 2, (2006-2014). Freelander Parts. Defender 90/110/130, Discovery 1,2,3,4,5 & Sport - Freelander 1 & 2 - Range Rover Classic, P38, L322, L405, Sport, Evoque & Velar. Land Rover Parts.

www.ebay.co.uk

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That's the kit I was looking at getting when mine isn't able to pass an MOT. However it's missing the bolts, which adds another £100 to the cost.

Nodge68 said:

That's the kit I was looking at getting when mine isn't able to pass an MOT. However it's missing the bolts, which adds another £100 to the cost.

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I did see that ad but they don’t post to the highlands

Fatrover said:

I did see that ad but they don’t post to the highlands

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That's inconvenient.
I'm of the opinion that all the subframes are the same, as long as it's for the correct number of driven wheels.
There's a lot of information on the Freel2 forum, where members have fitted Evoque subframes without issues, even though the suspension mounting points are in slightly different places.

Nodge68 said:

That's inconvenient.
I'm of the opinion that all the subframes are the same, as long as it's for the correct number of driven wheels.
There's a lot of information on the Freel2 forum, where members have fitted Evoque subframes without issues, even though the suspension mounting points are in slightly different places.

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Thanks for the comprehensive replies, very much appreciated.

Fatrover said:

I did see that ad but they don’t post to the highlands

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It’s a genuine disappointment that people are penalised for not living in London !
It’s bad enough the Sun doesn’t come north much but surely to be a delivery company in the U.K. they must deliver to all the U.K.

Dar ran Dar ran said:

It’s a genuine disappointment that people are penalised for not living in London !
It’s bad enough the Sun doesn’t come north much but surely to be a delivery company in the U.K. they must deliver to all the U.K.

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I lived in Spain for years before brexit forced us back , it was easier to get stuff sent to Spain than it is to get it here in rural Scotland……

Fatrover said:

I lived in Spain for years before brexit forced us back , it was easier to get stuff sent to Spain than it is to get it here in rural Scotland……

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Spain to Northern Scotland, that's a change in temperature to get used too.

Fatrover said:

I lived in Spain for years before brexit forced us back , it was easier to get stuff sent to Spain than it is to get it here in rural Scotland……

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We are a family delivery service in rural Cumbria and believe me we lose money on some drops due to mileage and time to deliver BUT it’s not a service you should have blacklist !
I appreciate next day is a bit unreliable and unrealistic to be fair but nothing should be blacklisted
Or they will never have a chance of keeping people in the country side and jobs will disappear
It’s bad enough with s h I t internet and second class healthcare

Nodge68 said:

Spain to Northern Scotland, that's a change in temperature to get used too.

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We took the the boss to Gretna for Mother’s Day , It’s around 1 hour north from home and we only last 50 minutes and came south to warm up