Uh-oh, the dreaded clunk!

Hi guys,

I've done a bit of driving in the Freeb now, maybe 150 miles, and I've noticed a clunk coming from the rear of the car whenever I change gear, especially noticeable when driving around town.

Looks like I'm far from the first to get this problem, which is good to know. So if anyone has any top tips for diagnosing which bit has gone, and how/if you repaired it that would be swell. I'm not too bothered by this, I knew that other problems would turn up sooner or later. Hopefully it's nothing I can't tackle myself.

You've been really helpful thus far, ta a thousand times over folks .

EDIT: I found a tutorial for changing theon here mounts, lots of threads dealing with this. I'll have a look in the Hayne's manual too and if it looks like I can handle it then I'll have a go. If not I'll go by Bell Engineering on my way down to Wales next weekend, they fit them while you wait. Not sure how much they charge though. Anyway lots of options, I'm much less worried now.

Hi ,
I have just changed the rear diff front mount as i had clunk when pulling off on steep hills but i believe it can happen if you change gear a bit on the fast side too.
If you look at the diff there are 3 rubber mounting points and i bet the front one has gone[ the usual culprit] cost me £10 for the part and i was gonna do it myself but local garage only wanted to charge me £16 to do it so it was a no brainer !!!
i guess you will get more ideas from the more knowledgable chaps on here but my guess is front rear diff mount.
Alan

Hi Alan,

Wow! First reply and you didn't even tell me to burn it :flame:!

Yes that's what I'm thinking it is, classic symptoms. I probably change gear too fast, I'm used to a Honda Civic and that had a bulletproof gearbox that was happier the faster you changed gear. So I probably need to chill out a bit !

I've sent an email off to Bell, if they can do it for around or less than £50 mark I won't bother to do it myself as they'll do a better job and faster.

Just another thing to to on an ever growing list. This is fun though, no really it is.

Will.

Hey WLJ

the way I look at the whole Freelander owning thing is, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, and fixing all the little things e.g. steering/suspension bushes, brake parts, switches, etc. on a car which, more than likely, has a few miles on it, then fair do's.
I was trying to find the total sales figures for the Freelander since the car's inception, with no joy. I've spent money on all my previous cars, from Fords to Peugeots to Toyotas, and from reading threads on this site, it seems that the parts cost is the main issue, not necessarily the faulty parts themselves.

crockett007 said:

...I was trying to find the total sales figures for the Freelander since the car's inception...

Click to expand...

try this:

Combined stats (153 models) FREELANDER - How Many Left?

crockett007 said:

Hey WLJ

the way I look at the whole Freelander owning thing is, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, and fixing all the little things e.g. steering/suspension bushes, brake parts, switches, etc. on a car which, more than likely, has a few miles on it, then fair do's.
I was trying to find the total sales figures for the Freelander since the car's inception, with no joy. I've spent money on all my previous cars, from Fords to Peugeots to Toyotas, and from reading threads on this site, it seems that the parts cost is the main issue, not necessarily the faulty parts themselves.

Click to expand...

Yes that's my thinking. And seeing as I've spent very little on this car in the grand scheme of things, I really don't mind some problems. It's a new challenge, and I'm learning new things - which is really important.

Anyhoo I'm going down to Bell Engineering tonight, they'll do the job for £65. I think that's good value as they can also check the rest of the transmission while I'm there so the extra cost is worth it. Really good of them to do it at such short notice.

Will.

I went to see Bell Engineering today - top blokes, the did it at really short notice.

Predictably, the VCU is now confirmed as being on it's last legs. He took the rear prop off, and once I get a full set of tyres we'll get a new VCU on there. Also had the diff mount replaced, that knocking with gear changes is now pretty much gone.

I'm still getting that 'orrible ticking noise proportional to revs when I'm accelarating, it's very irritating! I think perhaps the exhaust might be blowing somewhere but the fact that it's only noticeable when accelarating makes me wonder if it might be something else.

We had a very scary moment on the way back, we were going up a mild hill and suddenly the temp gauge spiked almost up to the red but cooled off within seconds - the fans kicked in and were going like the clappers for about 30 secs. We topped up the coolant while at Bell - so what could have caused that? Didn't happen again on the way back.

Also, the parking sensor played up when I arrived home - just gave a shakey constant tone. Hoepfully it was a glitch.

Oh the joys of the FUUUlander!!

Hippo said:

try this:

Combined stats (153 models) FREELANDER - How Many Left?

Click to expand...

Thanks Hippo, was trying to grasp numbers of FL's in potential operation compared to faults, from a reliability point of view. Mind you, since buying mine I have noticed loads on the road, so it can't all be bad I guess

crockett007 said:

Thanks Hippo, was trying to grasp numbers of FL's in potential operation compared to faults, from a reliability point of view. Mind you, since buying mine I have noticed loads on the road, so it can't all be bad I guess

Click to expand...

Freelander faults int that much more than the average vehicle on the road. Many moan about them but they're not as bad as some on ere say. Loads of them on the road as you say. So they can't be that bad. Freelanders like all land rover products are discussed a lot. Hence information gets round. Typical faults and the betterer options/models to have. Word has it that the doors fall off when wet. Another myth that int true.

Hippo said:

Word has it that the doors fall off when wet. Another myth that int true.

Click to expand...

Yeah I heard that one too, and when the engine's had enough it self implodes......... although on reading some posts on here, that one may be nearer the truth!!

Hi Guys,

Ok I still haven't got to the bottom of this. I refitted the missing bolts on the IRD support bracket (see my other thread) but to no avail. Also had the diff mount done. I've collected a but more info on when it happens, and it goes like this:

- Happens at low speeds when I de-clutch, even if I don't shift into another gear.
- Happens when I accelarate from a very slow speed jerkily, and is in time with the jerks of the car.
- Sometimes but not always happens when going over potholes and small things, but not ramps or sleepers.
- One single knock when the engine fires during ignition.
- Doesn't happen when I declutch while stationary or during braking.
- Doesn't happen when declutching and gear shifting at high speeds.

I think I'm going to have to take it down to Bell again sooner rather than later. But does that list give anyone any ideas what it could be? I'm worried it might be the sub frame, or something to do with the knackered VCU.

Will.

Hi WLJ.

Have you looked at any of the gear linkage assembly? I have a similar 2nd gear knock, no other gear selection, and will be looking at it soon, along with the disconnection of the prop/VCU assembly in preparation for a new VCU, as mine is shot. Buuuuut....... besides these little issues, I'm happy with my purchase. Besides getting it for a song, it's a lovely runner, very assured. I hope you find your mystery knock

Yeh I'm in much the same position. Got a leaky exhaust manifold gasket but just need to find time to bolt the new one on. Other than this knock and a few small electrical problems it's done fine so far.

Strange thing is that when I brought it back from Bell the first time, the knocking was much reduced. I'm thinking it's the VCU or bearings, must be, as he did wiggle something back into place when I was down there.

Will.

I just took it to a Landy specialist in Nottingham, and he took about ten seconds to diagnose a buggered IRD bracket . When the clutch is engaged the engine and transfer box try to leap out of the car - no wonder that old exhaust manifold was sheared in two!!!!! I've got no idea how much it will cost to fix, I'll find out tomorrow.

Least I know what it is now.

Has the lower tie bar bush gone loose ?? The IRD bracket can get overloaded as the drive torque is taken down the prop shaft instead of the bush so pushing on the IRD and braking the bracket!!

I'll have the details tomorrow, he said he needed to get it up on the ramps to really see the fault but that the general area that it's in. As long as it doesn't cost more than a few hundred quid I won't mind too much - it'll be bliss to be able to drive without fear of something falling off!

After that, new tyres, then new VCU. My wallet is having a nervous breakdown.

Is it not something you fancy having a go at yourself? It doesn't look too bad a job to do. Although with ramps, it would make it a whole lot easier. Hopefully it won't cost more than a ton.

And I see Bell are selling their VCU's on fleabay. You have to buy bearings separately though.

I might be able to have a go myself, once he finds out exactly what's wrong with it. I'm still a little wary of heavy transmission work, but if it's a simple job then I'll asess my options . Defintely good to know that there's a competent specialist locally.

Seems like his garage is a bit of a club hangout, a few boys there with their modded Disco's (which look very nice have to say.) It'd be good to get to know some other DIY Landy owners in the area. One chap gave me a lift home, nice bunch.

Thats fair enough, WLJ. Sometimes it's best to let someone else do it in half an hour, rather than take all day yourself

It comes down to cost really, if it's £30 for the part and £300 for the fit then I'll do it myself. But if it's not much labour I'll get it done there, he may spot other stuff I've missed.