Freelander 1 Tight Cornering Worry

I am hoping this is nothing but as the Freelander is my first vehicle of this type and I am not mechanically minded (though I hope to learn over time) I thought it was safer to ask.

When I turn my Freelander into a parking space forwards or round a tight corner (full lock or near full lock) I once in a while get a judder from the back, a bit like one of the tyres goes over a rumble strip, this doesn't happen when reversing and during general driving.

The reason I ask is that this is something I have only noticed in the few weeks.

Best do the one wheel up test to eliminate the VCU.

Mine makes a rubbing sound from the front when on full lock. Although I know mine is due to the larger than standard tyres catching the arch liner.
With standard sized rubber, it shouldn't make a noise.

Ah, OK, thought it may be getting to that time, 100K and no record of the VCU being changed, but was hoping it was just a known tyre issue. Thanks for your help, off to read some more.

iamthenewno2 said:

Ah, OK, thought it may be getting to that time, 100K and no record of the VCU being changed, but was hoping it was just a known tyre issue. Thanks for your help, off to read some more.

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Are all the tyres the same make, size and type, with the most worn on the front?

Differing front and back, they have similar wear but I will do a check on the diameters when I am doing work on it Sunday (putting on a towbar).

iamthenewno2 said:

Differing front and back, they have similar wear but I will do a check on the diameters when I am doing work on it Sunday (putting on a towbar).

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Tyres front and back MUST be the same size, make and model. The VCU is easily damage by incorrect tyres being fitted. Best thing to do is replace whichever two to make a matching set. Alternatively remove the propshafts until a matching set of rubber can be fitted. This is of utmost importance or serious and expensive damage is done to the VCU, IRD and or diff.

Not just newest at the back then? I will have to check my piggy bank, already hundreds spent this month due to someone cutting off the Cat plus a full service.

Its normal that the juddering happens when on reverse - it may be due to your mismatched tyres that its happennng on the front. A decent read for you is probably...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

Thanks, very helpful, will do the one wheel up test on Sunday, going to buy tools on Saturday (told you I was new to all this), checked Bells Engineering site for VCU cost and have been looking at posts on tyres.

Looks like I am going to learn one job at a time, quite excited really though I am limited as any work will need to be done on the road.

iamthenewno2 said:

Not just newest at the back then? I will have to check my piggy bank, already hundreds spent this month due to someone cutting off the Cat plus a full service.

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Newest on the back with a matching set of tyres.

The VCU and gearing is designed to compensate for normal tyre wear (fronts wear faster). This would be up to a maximum of about 5mm difference in diameter, between front and back. The chances of two different makes of tyres having the same diameter is small. So best advice is use four, preferably five tyres that are all the same.

It is then permissible to replace tyres in pairs. Providing the new tyres are again identical to those being replaced, and the new tyres go on the rear. The part worn tyres from the rear are moved to the front. This keeps VCU slip to a minimum, increasing the drive train's life.

Be warned. Mismatched or incorrectly placed tyres will destroy the drive train in a very short time.