Freelander II Diff or Haldex - HELP!

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help please?

I am new to this forum and know very little about cars so if you are able to reply to me and help please keep it simple!

I have just bought a Freelander 2 2011 plate with 65k on the clock.

I only bought it 2 weeks ago and I live in South East London (Camberwell). I bought it in Peterborough so I can't exactly pop back and obviously the dealership (small garage) are saying the fault is not theirs. After a few days I noticed a banging coming from the rear of the vehicle which manifests itself when turning (either way) in both the forwards and reverse gears. This bumping/banging is a repetative noise that continues until I straighten up the car and driver off. There are no warnign lights on the dash.

The car is under warranty and I want to get it fixed, my local garage has diagnosed (visually) the diff but I understand it may also obe the Haldex Unit??

The warranty covers repairs up to £1k only and I am trying (unsuccessfully) to get this sorted by way of a diagnosis to give to the warranty company and then get it fixed.

If anyone knows of a company in SE London who can help and that I am not going to get ripped off by then I would greatly appreciate your help. Advise on what the issue could be would also be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

David.

Hi David.
I have sent you a personal message with a link give him/them a call saying Arctic referred you, I am sure they will either help or put you in touch with the right people

Many thanks. I will do that this morning.

Regards.

David.

David De Mott said:

Many thanks. I will do that this morning.

Regards.

David.

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Hi David.
Please do and let us now what he says or if he could help cheers Arctic

Hi all,

Well I'm getting there...I think.

I have been to a garage near me who quoted £1725 (VAT inc) to fit a recon diff unit. They were a bit pushy for my liking and wanted me to leave it with them to strip down immediately.

They said the recon Diff is £950 plus VAT.

Having now spoken to someone else they have told me the part should be no more than £400 and fitting plus oil about another £300 so £700 max.

Is the £1725 quote a rip off please?

Oh sorry they said the diff is slipping and is a common fault.

David De Mott said:

Hi all,

Well I'm getting there...I think.

I have been to a garage near me who quoted £1725 (VAT inc) to fit a recon diff unit. They were a bit pushy for my liking and wanted me to leave it with them to strip down immediately.

They said the recon Diff is £950 plus VAT.

Having now spoken to someone else they have told me the part should be no more than £400 and fitting plus oil about another £300 so £700 max.

Is the £1725 quote a rip off please?

Click to expand...

Speak to Bell Engineering. They won't charge anything like that much for a recon unit and they fit it too.
http://www.bellengineering.co.uk/freelander-2-products/

I wouldn't be so sure this is the diff that is at fault. A 2011 diff should be 'OK' - its the ones up to 2010 that were made of cheese.

I wouldn't mind betting it is the Haldex unit.

If the diff is failing, there are problems going straight as well as turning and it will usually drone all the time. If the Haldex is at fault then the problems are more likely when turning and it will be more likely to cause banging as wind up occurs. It could also simply be a mount that has failed.

Bells are a long way from you in the West Midlands - but definitely worth a call to discuss your problem and for sourcing parts. @austen might be able to offer help on here.

Personally, I'd start by looking into flushing the Haldex fluids - and thoughroughly checking all the mounts for the diff/Haldex and suspension arm bushes.

I had an issue with a Saab NG 95 with the same haldex system fitted. If you cornered medium to hard or when accelerating from standing it was like the rear wheels were driving over cats eyes. Very subtle at first but got worse quickly. It was a failed clutch pack in the haldex unit, as it engaged the rear axle you could feel the problem. I diagnosed it before the Saab dealer lol. We had a replacement unit (I think new) fitted for something daft like £3k all under the 6 month warranty. Just bear this in mind for your issue as it might be why the seller is trying to distance themselves...

Huddy84 said:

I had an issue with a Saab NG 95 with the same haldex system fitted. If you cornered medium to hard or when accelerating from standing it was like the rear wheels were driving over cats eyes. Very subtle at first but got worse quickly. It was a failed clutch pack in the haldex unit, as it engaged the rear axle you could feel the problem. I diagnosed it before the Saab dealer lol. We had a replacement unit (I think new) fitted for something daft like £3k all under the 6 month warranty. Just bear this in mind for your issue as it might be why the seller is trying to distance themselves...

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Our VW Tiguan had the same thumping from the rear under heavy acceleration. It was the Haldex that had failed. Luckily fixed under warranty because it was 2 years old with just 40K on the clock.

GrumpyGel said:

Bells are a long way from you in the West Midlands - but definitely worth a call to discuss your problem and for sourcing parts. @austen might be able to offer help on here.

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Birmingham isn't that far if the OP is going to be saving several hundred pounds by travelling. Hell you could make a weekend trip out of it and still save a few quid. And at least the quality of the work will be guaranteed.

GrumpyGel said:

Bells are a long way from you in the West Midlands - but definitely worth a call to discuss your problem and for sourcing parts. @austen might be able to offer help on here.

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The OP is in SE London not the midlands, but still not that far to get it sorted properly.

David did you ring the person I sent you the PM for? what did he say I am sure it was cheaper than the quotes you have been given already even if you have to travel.

Nodge68 said:

Birmingham isn't that far if the OP is going to be saving several hundred pounds by travelling.

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Arctic2 said:

The OP is in SE London not the midlands, but still not that far to get it sorted properly.

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Might get lucky - might not - bit like getting a warranty that only covers £1K!

David De Mott said:

banging coming from the rear of the vehicle which manifests itself when turning (either way) in both the forwards and reverse gears. This bumping/banging is a repetative noise that continues until I straighten up the car

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I've got bitter and expensive experience of driving distances in a Freelander with transmission wind-up issues. I would NOT recommend driving a Freelander (or any car) with possible wind-up issues 150 miles - it is asking for trouble. Bells is definitely the go-to place for Freelander transmission issues - but get it there on a trailer or get parts shipped to have fitted locally.

I don't know if there is a way of "turning the Haldex off" or removing the props on a F2 so that it runs 2WD - if so that is an option.