CV Joints?

Morning All.

As it's now festival season, and I'll be attending plenty of muddy fields, I've bought myself a freelander which seemed to fit the bill nicely. 2000 reg, long MOT and in pretty good nick.

Now - firstly the HDC orange light is on, which I understand is pretty common. I have read that this can be due to a loose wheel sensor - is this fixable easily?

Secondly - both front CV joints are knocking themelves to death. Not the end of the world, I was just wondering if this is DIYable with a decent set of tools and a pair of axel stands? I'm no mechanic, but I'm competent enough I reckon if this is do-able on the drive?

No other huge problems seem apparent - it does seem that the reliability record is pretty dismal but it just needs to last me the summer! Any advice on these two issues would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks,

Felix

why didnt you buy a proper landy instead ?

oh and welcome to LZ

This seemed like a more civilised thing to do the 10 hour round trip to glastonbury in tomorrow!

join the AA the RAC and Greenflag before you leave

already done! Given it a hundred mile trip so far, and other that the annoying CV issue, it seems to be OK. (crosses fingers......)

you might want to get those joints sorted before you do any proper distance, you will make a right mess of they let loose at speed

Are you sure its the CV joints? eg does the driveshaft rotate independently of the CV housing. Sounds more like the IRD knocking, if so the IRD whines at speed 30mph plus.
Best get some mud tyres on, oh and if you have mobile internet on your phone we can tell how sort the prob after the fest, aint that right Sean

<- isnt getting involved with that wap crap thing again

ah. well here's hoping it's not the IRD as that sounds hugely exensive. I'll get it down to the garage next week and get it checked out properly.

cheers for the advice!

The CV joints aren't too tricky, requiring a pair of axle stands, a mate and the occasional use of a mallet. Make sre you also replace the gaiters, as the CVs usually go because of contamination. I've found the hardest thing is to seal the gaiter and mechanics have a neat little dodad to close the metal seals. I once thought sod it and just used cable ties, which gave up the first time I went mudplugging and ended up changing the CV join again two weeks later.

The Freelander is a good choice for your requirements - festival sites tend to get muddy and the Freelander excels in these conditions. I should know, I've driven all manner of 4x4s around Glastonbury and I know which I prefer...

Well, I prefer the Defender on site, beacuse it has a low box for crawling through the crowd. But I wouldn;t fancy the commute on either side! The Freelander is the sensible compromise, but make sure the traction control is working for use in the muddy stuff.

A Freelander with TC is more than match for other Land Rovers on slippery surfaces such as wet grass or layered mud. No need for mud tyres. If you really leave the beaten track a lot, consider some decent all terrain tyres (not as aggressive as mud terrain tyres) but the TC makes muds redundant.

The ABS, TC and HDC are all linked, so it is worth checking the whole system. Do the ABS/TC/HDC lamps all light up when you start the car? If not, you could have "the Three Amigos", but with burnt out or removed bulbs to hide it. Do a search on this forum for simple solutions.

Good choice on vehicle and hope you had a good time at Glastonbury. I'm missing it this year due to work pressures and spending all my leave on LR's 60th events, but I'll be back next year. (Frustratingly, the outfit I work for at the festivals is using Jap 4x4s now, but never mind, I get free admission out of it!)

Cheers

Blippie