Freelander 2 (LR2) Diff problems

Hi has anyone had any issues with reconditioned rear diffs on FL2. We have an 07 plate and the diff started rumbling. Took it to our local and very much trusted garage who carries out all my work. He sourced a recon unit from eBay and fitted it with the oil supplied. We took it back to the garage after about a week and had the oil checked and all ok. About a week later my wife was driving to work when the diff without warning or rumbling suddenly just locked up causing her skid into the face of oncoming traffic and be unable to move the car in the middle of a busy A road. Had to have it recovered to the garage who in turn then contacted the seller who stated he would only send out another if the old one was returned and a second replacement was paid for. The seller then only offered a part refund having looked at the returned one, stating the diff would have been rumbling before this happened and it was our fault. There was no rumbling when I drive it 10 minutes before she did having just come in from a night shift. The second one was fitted and again the oil supplied by the the seller was used and the Haldex was checked too. No more than a couple of weeks later the second one started rumbling so back to the garage who in turn contacted the seller who is refusing to engage demanding the return again of their second replacement saying they’ll look at it but I feel they’re going to blame us again for it’s demise. I’m reluctant to have it sent back as they can say what they want then and the garage and myself have lost out all around and any proof of sub standard parts can be lost. My garage has since sourced a low mileage replacement non recon unit from a breaker, as the seller has refused to deal with my the garage owner and has refused to sell us a third one. Has anyone else had similar problems. This has proved an expensive repair so far

That sounds horrific for your wife, and it's so good she came out of that situation ok. It's not really possible for a diff to lock up in normal or exceptional circumstances.

Then having a second one fail in a matter of weeks really says something of the quality, or lack of on these diffs.

I personally wouldn't fit a reconditioned anything from some seller on Ebay, preferring to visit the suppliers premises and collect it myself.

Bell Engineering is a well respected reconditioner of Freelander drive components, so would definitely use one of their units myself.

Your garage might well have to open a case with Ebay, but that's the garage's problem, not yours.

Use a Bell recon and save a lot of hassle in the future, if the second hand one fails.

Maybe Bell could strip the damaged one down and tell you what's wrong with it?

Hi Nodge thanks for the reply and for your advice. I’ll give my garage a ring in the morning and suggest it.

+1 on using reputable recon units, and Bells do have a good reputation among the Freelander community over many years.

Diffs can go all by themselves, but on F2s it is usually aided by a Haldex unit in poor condition. The Haldex should be regularly serviced with a fluid and filter change or else it is going to overwork/stress the diff.

I would take some of the advice on this page with a pinch of salt, as they are trying to sell you stuff (for example try servicing before replacement), but it is good information about Freelander 1 & 2 transmissions...

http://www.bellengineering.co.uk/fault-symptoms/