Hi there, I have a freelander with a broken IRD and have removed the prop for the time being. I am getting clonking type noise when the power is off and slowing down. I think the output shaft pinion may be damaged. I was thinking of removing thye output pinion and fitting a blanking plate as others have done but was wondering if you can remove the pinion and just put the cover back on? Thanks for any help you can give, Mel