Freelander 1 2002 TD4 automatic Clunking

[Jimbo7777]

I'm getting a loud clunk from under the car, sounds like it's coming from the back half of the car. It happens when I put the foot down on the accelerator and sometimes when putting the car into reverse.

Any idea what would be causing this? And what likely needs fixed.

Cheers!

 

[GrumpyGel]

So are you going to acknowledge the response on your other thread?

Noobs can be so rude and patronising.

This issue is probably caused by the front mount for the differential being knackered. What likely needs to be fixed is the front mount for the differential.

 

[Nodge68]

A failed front diff mount can signify a more serious underlying problem of a stiffening VCU.

 

[Jimbo7777]

A failed front diff mount can signify a more serious underlying problem of a stiffening VCU.

Cheers Nodge! Much appreciated.

Ok, so I got the rear diff looked at today and three of the mounts were perished and needed replacing. That's been done. The clunking has gone but I am thinking there might be another underlying problem - maybe the VCU as you said - the reason being the mechanic reckons they've been replaced before fairly recently (I've had the car 6 months) as you still see the metal rather than being dirty.

Thoughts? Are VCU's expensive and difficult to fit? Should I get that checked out and fixed?

Also, I've noticed I'm getting a ticking noise from the front of the car sometime when I accelerate. It speeds up as the car goes faster. Any clues on that would be much appreciated. I thought it was the CV joint but have had that checked out recently and apparently that is fine. I get a similar ticking noise sometimes when doing a U-turn. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[GrumpyGel]

As a kick off you want to make sure your Freelander isn't going to completely knacker itself...

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

For all 3 diff mounts to go is pretty catastrophic. If what your mechanic said is correct and all 3 have gone and they have been replaced recently, I would imagine they were replaced with cheap ones that were just not up to the job. The 2 back ones should not perish. If I were you, I'd get the 2 rear ones from a breakers (as they will cost less) and buy a good OEM quality front one. They are reasonably easy to replace.

I would say though that even old mounts can look pretty new - they do over here anyway, might be different on salt laden UK roads.

Check out that link above - it shows you how to test your VCU. Everything else is dependent on what condition the VCU is in. A recon VCU is about £200-£250 plus bearings - removing the VCU costs nothing but comes with other issues.

 

[Nodge68]

Cheers Nodge! Much appreciated.

Ok, so I got the rear diff looked at today and three of the mounts were perished and needed replacing. That's been done. The clunking has gone but I am thinking there might be another underlying problem - maybe the VCU as you said - the reason being the mechanic reckons they've been replaced before fairly recently (I've had the car 6 months) as you still see the metal rather than being dirty.

Thoughts? Are VCU's expensive and difficult to fit? Should I get that checked out and fixed?

Also, I've noticed I'm getting a ticking noise from the front of the car sometime when I accelerate. It speeds up as the car goes faster. Any clues on that would be much appreciated. I thought it was the CV joint but have had that checked out recently and apparently that is fine. I get a similar ticking noise sometimes when doing a U-turn. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!!

The first check is to the tyres. The Freelander MUST have 4 identical tyres. So same make, type and size and all be pumped up to the correct pressure. The least worn tyres MUST also be on the rear.
If at any point in its life, the tyres haven't been as above, then the VCU will be huge under strain.

The VCU can't be accurately tested without expensive machinery. However the One Wheel Up Test (OWUT) described on here will give a good indication of the VCUs condition.
As GG said above. A reconditioned VCU can be had from a reputable supplier for about £250. It'll take under an hour for a garage to replace, if you don't have the skills or tools.

 

[tlo]

For all 3 diff mounts to go is pretty catastrophic.

Forgive me for butting in here but are you saying it is normally just the front one that should be replaced ?I will be doing mine as well as the vcu bearings I don't think either have been touched sense the car was made . I know one of the vcu rubbers is knackered and every now and then I get a clunk from the back when I change gear .

 

[GrumpyGel]

Forgive me for butting in here but are you saying it is normally just the front one that should be replaced ?I will be doing mine as well as the vcu bearings I don't think either have been touched sense the car was made . I know one of the vcu rubbers is knackered and every now and then I get a clunk from the back when I change gear .

I would say that while it is highly likely that the front diff mount perishes - it is highly unlikely for the rear 2 to go as well.

Don't know if others would agree with that statement - its from my experience of 2 Freelanders and reading threads on here.

If they have 'gone', then fair enough, replace them. If they haven't though, I feel it would be a backward step to replace them with aftermarket ones - you'll probably have the car back up on axle stands changing them again sooner (and a waste of money replacing with genuine which can be about £80 each looking at the web).

 

[Nodge68]

The front mount is the most likely to fail first, simply because it takes the drive loadings. The two rear support bushes are mainly taking the weight of the diff. If the VCU it failing, it tends to "load up" the front mount more than normal. Some of this is then passed to the rear mounts because the diff is twisting. If the VCU is working correctly and the correct tyres are fitted, then the diff mounts have a long life.