4wd to 2wd

[benno25]

Ok hi there
Just bought my first freelander 2000 xdi
Needed some jobs doing which was reflected in price...

My main concern is i want to turn this into the 2wd system,as i have the groaning sound from the rear and is giving a headache now..lol

So do i just take the prop shaft linking front to back off? along with the viscus attatched (is this the middle large thing bolted to the underneath)
How easy is this mod..i have been doing some research tonight and found a few articles on this...

Iam hoping to do this job as soon as i get some feedback....

Cheers in Advance
Benno

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

some only take the front prop orf.

 

[howardo]

it is advised that the vcu and props be removed as a complete assembly.

 

[steely dan]

I did it tonight .
Took the complete prop off with VCU attached .I'd suggest you get a mate to help you as it's a weighty old assembly and you have to ensure the UJ's are supported and not allowed to dangle.......
15 minutes with the car up on a lift.

 

[DM68]

Now that you've removed it you'll notice straight away how much quicker it is,you wont get 4x4 wind-up doing slow manoeuvres that usually result in stalling the car and you'll also get better fuel economy.Now before the purist start slating these remarks i've had both versions mondo and 4x4 and if the guy isn't using it for light off-roading it doesn't really make a difference. But anyway enjoy.

 

[benno25]

So basically i just remove the large driveshaft and thats it...
Dont i need to blank something off at the gearbox end?

 

[Chaser]

So basically i just remove the large driveshaft and thats it...
Dont i need to blank something off at the gearbox end?

No, there's no blanking required.........

 

[benno25]

*UPDATE*
Today we have took the drive shaft off along with the centre large bit,one of the bearing is loose so iam replacing that at a later date..
So went out for a drive with just the 2wd..and the noise is still there,groaning away ,bloody thing...

So my mate thinks its the diff? any suggestions,i have checked both rear wheels for bearing play and seem fine

 

[benno25]

Jacked up the rear end this evening and there is a small amount of noise coming from passenger rear wheel,also the wheel is not as free to turn as the opposite side... maybe it is a bearing? even though their is no apparant play could this be?

I think for the sake of £20 i may as well change it....dont feel like the brake is sticking either

 

[steely dan]

I hope that's what it is , good luck and let us know the outcome....

 

[benno25]

well i will order one and strip it to see,worst case its the diff but the rebuild kit is only £65 so we can rebuild hopefully porviding i dont need any special tools

How yours now have you cured it?

 

[Russell Jupp]

I had a similar problem...whining from the rear diff, and some vibration at low speeds. Check the tread pattern on the rear tyres. A seized VCU will result in 'saw toothing' or a mild castellation of the tread blocks. Mine was noticable by eye, but i needed to look carefully. Changed rears to front, and lo and behold noise moved to front!! replaced all 4 tyres, and perfect!! Also replaced VCU as it was very tight, and continued use would have destroyed something.
Oddly tho, for the month or so that it was 2wd, i had a lot of 'backlash' noise from the ird only under hard acceleration). Now with prop and vcu replaced its perfect!!
Hope this helps,
Russ

 

[benno25]

I had a similar problem...whining from the rear diff, and some vibration at low speeds. Check the tread pattern on the rear tyres. A seized VCU will result in 'saw toothing' or a mild castellation of the tread blocks. Mine was noticable by eye, but i needed to look carefully. Changed rears to front, and lo and behold noise moved to front!! replaced all 4 tyres, and perfect!! Also replaced VCU as it was very tight, and continued use would have destroyed something.
Oddly tho, for the month or so that it was 2wd, i had a lot of 'backlash' noise from the ird only under hard acceleration). Now with prop and vcu replaced its perfect!!
Hope this helps,
Russ

Hi russ at monet the vcu is off along with the shafts,as thought is was this but noise is still their,one rear wheel is tighter to spin than other with very slight noise when spinning...Iam getting some noise from the ird but thats another issue...

 

[Russell Jupp]

Wheel bearings will whine less when unloaded, and more when loaded, ie cornering...does yours do this? Worth checking the tyres tho, cos mine sounded just like a bearing, except there was no change in sound when cornering.
Russ

 

[benno25]

Wheel bearings will whine less when unloaded, and more when loaded, ie cornering...does yours do this? Worth checking the tyres tho, cos mine sounded just like a bearing, except there was no change in sound when cornering.
Russ

Cornering i getting an unusual noise...the tyres need replacing for the mot Still not decided which make to go for yet...