"Clunking" noise for TD4 Auto X Reg

I have a bad "clunking" noise which usually happens when the vehicle is changing gear (auto box). It does'nt do it all the time through all the gears but it has started to do it more often and I am very concerned about it, as I use the LR daily and do motorway trips monthly. A chap at KwikFit who checked the exhaust yesterday is suggesting diff problems, as the noise sounds as if it's coming from the rear end rather than the gearbox end? It has had both diff bushes renewed recently and VCU unit with rear prop but this noise has got worse.

Does anyone know the best way to check for rear diff problems, as I am not a mechanic?

Thanks
Steve

Likely a rear diff mount, the one at the front of the diff tends to go and sometimes it doesn't look like it until close inspection. Cheap on most parts shoot or eBay

Lower engine tie bar gone soft? This allows the engine to rock about pushing on the prop shaft.

I agree

It will also break the exhaust flexi if not replaced

Thanks for all your comments, but the rear diff mounts have already been replaced along with the VCU and new rear prop shaft quite recently. Nodge 68 you said it may be the lower engine tie bar gone soft, whereabouts is this and how to I know if it need replacing and is this like an engine mounting? Is it a costly job to do and difficult? Freelaner you said this may cause the exhaust flexi to go, is this the rubber support belts on the rear box, as One went yesterday and exhaust was banging about on the body. This has now been replaced but both supports were replaced only a couple of months ago.
So no one thinks its actual diff problems causing this bad "clunking" noise?

The lower tie bar allows the engine to rock at the bottom if it's gone soft. They do go soft, in fact I feel they are to soft when new! I changed mine to polyurethane as have a few others. A soft tie bar causes all sorts of damage to items bolted to the engine including the exhaust and it's mounts.
They are easy to change.
See here
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/engine-mount-polybushes-my-initial-findings-227073.html

Didn't think they did the td4 engine on an X reg car ?
You sure you haven't got an L series Lump ?

The flexi joint is part of the exhaust, it is the bit covered in metal braiding

Hippo, It's defo a TD4 Auto X Reg, October 2000.

Td4 came out late 2000 but called the 2001 model so they do exist on an x plate, but not many.

Hippo said:

Td4 came out late 2000 but called the 2001 model so they do exist on an x plate, but not many.

Click to expand...

Ah right

Learnt something new

apexblue said:

It has had both diff bushes renewed recently

Click to expand...

but there are 3 bushes on the rear diff...

when the nose bush wears, gives a clonking sound when changing gear etc.

good luck

Hi guys,
This damn "clunking" noise is still happening, all the 3 rear diff mountings have now been replaced along with the rear prop inc VCU. This irritating clunk only happens when the auto box is going up gear from 2nd to 3rd gear, not normally downgear but it does not happen all of the time, but it does happen every time i use it. Although this clunk to me appears to be coming from the rear of the vehicle, is it possible the gearbox is faulty?
Steve