Feels like driving with brakes on

Hi everyone new to the forum, have a Freelander 1 and have had no problems until I replaced all 4 tyres, it now feels as though I'm driving with the brakes on so drove it for a few miles then checked underneath, the front propshaft was red hot to touch but VCU was ok, took it to my local independent LR garage they rebalanced all the wheels and adjusted the tracking, I've now driven it again for a few miles but it still feels the same, checked underneath and now the front propshaft is ok but the VCU is hot to touch, any idea whats causing this.

Are the tyres all the same make and model? Also are all the pressures equal? Sounds like the VCU is locking up keeping power transmitted to the rear when it shouldn't be. Check the pressures but the damage may have been done now.

Possible one of the rear wheels has been over tightened. Causing pressure on rear brake and dragging a wheel. Are the drums red hot after driving?
Torque is 85ftb or 115nm for wheels.
Worth a look. It happens to me when a tyre monkey got giddy with the wheel gun.
Mike

vcu gone?

Presuming you are ever going to return to the forum...

I believe my IRD took about 400 miles (open country and twisty hill climbs/descents) of abuse from a severe (by Freelander standards) difference between front/rear rolling diameters due to an underinflated tyre - so you may not have cooked your transmission too much.

Not sure 1 brake dragging a rear wheel would induce too much excess stress into the IRD (from which the heat presumably radiated initially) as the rear diff would simply drive the other wheel - and the front wheels would do the main job of dragging the locked back wheel.

If both back brakes were binding though it would cause trouble.

I'd take the props/VCU off (reasonably quick job) and raise each back corner in turn to make sure the wheels turn freely.

If they both turn freely, put the props back on and do the "1 wheel up" test described on this forum.

It sounds strange - but I'd go round and inspect all 4 corners to make sure the tyre company used exactly the same tyres all round! You say you've had bits checked - but, as said above, have you checked all 4 tyres are pumped to the same pressure?

Yes tyres all the same I had all 4 fitted at the same time

All 4 tyres were fitted at the same time they are Goodyear Efficientgrip, looking at them 2 say SUV 4x4 but other 2 only say SUV but tread etc look the same. Going back to VCU only the front half connected to front propshaft is hot, rear half and rear propshaft are ok but also getting a vibration from front when accelerating.

Please take a photo of the codes Etc on the tyres and post on here

Sounds as if they're different tyres but can't confirm without the photos

I'd advise not using it or remove the prop before confirming the tyre specs

I'd be very suspicious of the 2 different tyre markings - even if its just renaming of the same tyres they will be different batches and possibly there were design changes between the batches.

The easiest thing to do is to go back to the tyre shop and say you requested 4 matching tyres and they obviously haven't provided that - so swap out 2 to match the others.

Definitely don't drive the car with the props on in this state (other than maybe for testing). Without the props installed the car will run fine as front wheel drive - mine is permanently like that.

If once the tyres are matched you still get the problems - then you will need to check the brakes. I doubt that the VCU would 'go' so quickly. Its a general degredation of the fluid inside it that causes it to stiffen up to much. You never know though!

thanks everyone I'll get the two tyres changed and go from there.

Been in touch with the tyre manufacturers and given them the dot codes from the tyres and they have said that they are different tyres the one's with just SUV on are the newer design, so been back to the tyre fitters and they have ordered me 2 more tyres in to change, will let you know how I get on.

That's good news - of sorts. At least this does look like the cause of the problem.

Its not the sort of problem you should expect though when you choose a "premium" brand of tyre. I'd get onto Goodyear and tell them that and demand compensation for the grief its caused you and the damage to the vehicle. Every mile on those tyres is the equivalent X miles wear on the car's transmission compared to correct tyres - where X is probably up in the many thousands.

That heat you felt in the prop was radiated out from the IRD - so how hot did the IRD get? All that heat was generated by the bearings in the IRD being worn down.

Definitely tell them that you will not be driving the car to the tyre shop - they will have to come out to the vehicle to fit them or have the car lifted and transported to the tyre shop. Seriously - don't drive it.

Hi I'm back with the conclusion to this saga, went back to tyre fitters they'd got me two tyres but when I checked they were one of each, took car to LR garage they checked my brakes and found that the front brake sliders were sticking, and also checked the VCU they said everything was fine but driving my FL it still didn't feel 100%, so I went to another tyre fitters who spent over an hour checking the tyres and ringing the manufacturers for me (they could'nt have been more helpful,) they then ordered 2 tyres direct from Goodyear which they said were exactly the same as the other 2 (SUV) on the car. Tyres arrived and fitted today drives like a dream again now no hot propshaft or VCU.
So the moral of this tale is as is always said on here replace ALL 4 TYRES AT THE SAME TIME making sure they are the same make, design etc. Oh and I am going back to the original tyre fitters to see if I can get my money back or some compensation for all the time I have wasted.