Freelander 2 rear diff problems

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I have been considering purchasing a FL2 for a while now but in light of this and also the PAS problems i'm seriously having doubts that another Land Rover is the way to go which is a shame!

I've had this problem twice. Once below 50K and again at around 95k miles. Both times the dealer has repaired it using their fix rather than fit a new rear diff. Thankfully both times it was under warranty, but, I fully expect to keep my FL2 for another 50k and have this go again at some point. Overall, it has been massively cheaper to run the my previous Audi A4. Other than this it hasn't missed a beat.
 
Haldex 4 was fitted from 09 onwards, seems that these are failing earlier than the 07-08s with the mechanical Haldex 3 units. Just had 2 in this weekend, 10 plates both done mid 30k and diffs Gone. Previous one in was an 07 with 110k on the clock. You can get the Haldex 4 reflashed which landrover thinks helps prolong the life, but not seen any evidence to support this. Had a 13 plate diff come in with same failure but unfortunately I don't know the mileage
 
Haldex 4 was fitted from 09 onwards, seems that these are failing earlier than the 07-08s with the mechanical Haldex 3 units. Just had 2 in this weekend, 10 plates both done mid 30k and diffs Gone. Previous one in was an 07 with 110k on the clock. You can get the Haldex 4 reflashed which landrover thinks helps prolong the life, but not seen any evidence to support this. Had a 13 plate diff come in with same failure but unfortunately I don't know the mileage

Don't see how re-flashing the Haldex is going to stop this fault. Isn't it more likely to be down to driving style and/or journey type (i.e. lots of short journeys) or worse, just simply bad luck.

I understand the Haldex is engaged from standstill and then disengages as soon as no slip is observed.

Would drag cause the bearing to fail as the clutch disengages during acceleration or some other mechanical stresses imposed on the drivetrain?
I do 15-18kpa but mainly longer journeys with few stops and gear changes.
Isn't the same unit fitted to other makes (or is that the Haldex 5)?
Whatever, I don't see LR accepting there's a problem.
 
Landrover say the pinion bearing damage is attributed to the way in which the coupling applies torque when moving away from standstill or during slow-speed manoeuvring, the reflash changes this. Personally i don't see this as being the main issue, the problem is the bearing is simply too small which is magnified by the use of cheaper quality bearings. The only fix without a new design of casing to take a larger bearing is to have the harder higher quality bearing kit fitted, and ensure the diff is rebuilt properly with the correct preload and backlash. That said, if you have a haldex 4 you may as well have the reflash too, as long as the dealer doesnt want to sting you for it.
 
Whatever the cause of the problem is it is not acceptable and LR should have done a recall a long time ago! Why would I even consider buying one of these vehicles?
 
Thanks for the info on this - I had one of their LSDs in my Alfa GT and it worked really well especial after it was re-mapped.

Shame they do not do one for the FL2.
 
Haldex 4 was fitted from 09 onwards, seems that these are failing earlier than the 07-08s with the mechanical Haldex 3 units. Just had 2 in this weekend, 10 plates both done mid 30k and diffs Gone. Previous one in was an 07 with 110k on the clock. You can get the Haldex 4 reflashed which landrover thinks helps prolong the life, but not seen any evidence to support this. Had a 13 plate diff come in with same failure but unfortunately I don't know the mileage

Erm where they manual or auto??
 
Been trawling through this thread as I appear to have the whinning noise described here. Gutted as its my first land rover and its got the lowest miles of any vehicle I've ever owned. A bit disillusioned if its going to cost a lot of money to fix, if as people are suggesting its a well known land rover fault. I notice that some have had success in getting land rover to foot the bill or at least discount the cost of the repair. Anyone have any personal experience who could pass on some pearls of wisdom? Would be appreciated.
 
Been trawling through this thread as I appear to have the whinning noise described here. Gutted as its my first land rover and its got the lowest miles of any vehicle I've ever owned. A bit disillusioned if its going to cost a lot of money to fix, if as people are suggesting its a well known land rover fault. I notice that some have had success in getting land rover to foot the bill or at least discount the cost of the repair. Anyone have any personal experience who could pass on some pearls of wisdom? Would be appreciated.
It seems you have a chance if it's always been serviced by a main dealer. But it would only be partial costs towards repair. As the years have gone by the chance of a claim reduces. Yer main dealer can look at it and put in a claim on your behalf. No guarantee they will pay anything. What's the year/mileage?
 
Polite request to lr customer services emphasising the low mileage, but does mean you will have to use one of their dealers, good option is to consider using Austen at bell engineering
 
Main dealer serviced until this year when I purchased her from a Mitsubishi dealer. 2008 plate with 21000 miles.
Low miles but can still happen. I don't think they will pay anything towards cost as your new to LR's. It's different if yer been buying them for years, getting them serviced continually... Make sure it is the rear diff. Some have found other items like early wheel bearing to be the fault.
 
Ok, thanks for your comments Hippo & Freelance. I'll get her booke in to be checked out to clarify what the source of the whining noise is and feedback when I know.
 
Have you spoken to the Mitsubishi dealer you bought it from and see if they'll contribute towards the cost of the repair??

More likely to contribute then LR as you've bought it from outside the LR network and haven't kept up the main dealer service history.
 
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