2008 Freelander, What Sounds Like Noisy Gearbox/ Diff?

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Gaz-M

New Member
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4
Location
Fife, Scotland.
Hi folks, first post as a possible new Freelander owner. Im sure I was previously registered as I had a Disco but cant find login details!!

Im a vehicle mechanic and looking to buy a customers Freelander for repair and hopefully keep for myself.

Its a 2008 FL2 2.2 TD4 with the 6 speed manual gearbox and 135k Miles. Never towed.

When driven it has a general quiet whine at all speeds from the transmission, it also has more gearbox/ transmission noises when in 5th/ 6th upon acceleration and now has started to affect the steering with it wanting to pull in one direction- diff issue? I think all noises are from the front.

I thought gearbox issue but after a bit of Googling gearboxes dont ever come up as a fault? However the external diff/transfer box does. Is it likely this transfer box could be giving the symptoms noted including being notably worse in a couple of gears?

Anyone any experience with a gearbox issue or front diffs? The gearbox diffs ever give issue?
 
Nobody?

So Ive done a deal on the Freelander so should be an official part of the club come the weekend. I want to get it back on the road ASAP.

I spoke to Bell Engineering who agree it sounds like gearbox issue so now need to decide on options to rectify it.

They seem to be rare to go wrong which is a bonus, hopefully means I have a better chance a second hand gearbox will be good. These can be had from £350. Bell Engineering are near £1000 for a recon. Massive difference.

I can buy a rebuild kit (bearings and seals) on Ebay for £190, although not sure if theres any complicated clearances or back lash that needs set in the gearbox. Otherwise Im thinking of doing recon myself.

Anyone any suggestions?
 
I know nothing of the FL2 gearbox. Although in my experience with other modern boxes, very little setting up is needed. Just take measurements of clearances of the bearings, if you find any shims. If there's no shims, there's generally nothing to adjust.
Are you sure it's the gearbox and not the rear diff? The FL2 rear diff has a reputation for being made of cheese.
 
Def not the rear diff.

Yeh Ive done a few gearbox bearings/ repairs over the years but far from a specialist. Ive never came across anything to adjust either but I know some exist.

Its a fortune to have the FL2 gearbox rebuilt, like £800+VAT so guessing its not straight forward. A rebuild kit is £190.

Decisions..

I havent driven it since it has developed the pulling fault but that wasnt there originally, so I guess thats as the gearbox has got worse? Thats obviously like a diff issue to me!?
 
I have very very little F2 knowledge. If it was an F1 I'd say to remove the props and see how it drives/behaves without the stresses of the AWD setup.

I'm not sure what damage that could do to the Haldex unit though. I believe that's integral to the rear diff (like the front plate) so can't just be removed. However, could you remove the props, diff/Haldex and drive shafts back to the outer CVs to see how it behaves with these out of the way and give more indication as to whether the problems are "up front". It sounds like a lot of work - but you are talking big bucks to replace parts that may not have any problems. It would also be interesting info for the forum!

I dare say it would throw a wobbly and possibly go into limp mode. I wonder if Nanocom (or similar) can be used to configure the electronics to think its a 2WD setup and ignore the fact the Haldex isn't there/responding.
 
Its 100% from the front.

I think you should be able to remove the prop no issues, and you can normally take a fuse out for the Haldex and it runs as 2WD. Certainly you can do that on the VAG cars so you can run them on a 2WD rolling road.

Im getting the Freelander on Saturday morning so will have a better look now its developed this pull to one side.

Im sure its the gearbox since its noticeably worse in a couple of gears.
 
You are probably right.

My only thoughts are that a 'gummed up' Haldex could behave very similarly to a faulty VCU - they do appear to transfer way to much power when they are in need of an overhaul/service/oil change - and I don't know how much of that would be reduced simply by turning it off (in theory or practice). Different speeds and levels of torque can make things behave differently.

I was driving my F1 and got a sound like the exhaust had fallen of its rear hangar - ie at the back - then the IRD went bang.
 
Pulling under acceleration (torque steer) could be down to worn bushes or even odd tyres. Basically anything the causes an uneven torque shift can induce torque steer.
 
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