Freelander 1 IRD Whine

TD4 2001 86000 miles...It's developed a whine over the last couple of week, which I gather is the IRD, would this need the oil changed to cure it? if so do anyone know what type of oil. If it's worse does the IRD need replacing or is there a bearing that needs replacing - Any help of how difficult this job is to do would be appreciated

Get underneath it and try wiggling the IRD output to the propshaft.

If it moves, the bearings on the output shaft are shot, and you've caught it before it explodes - your VCU and output shaft need rebuilding.

Test the VCU with the one wheel up test, then remove the propshaft and see if the noise goes away.

I wouldn't drive it any further without testing as there will be little in the way of any further warning - you'll get a ping followed by a loud bang in a few minutes, that's how quick they go.

EDIT: I should also point out, if the output shaft moves, it's already too late to do anything about it - if you want to run in 2wd you need a blanking plate - which is cheap enough to buy, but do not drive it on that output shaft again.

No movement at all, it feels really solid...So does this mean it's just oil?....There was no history with the car but I can see the VCU looks very new - Could it be the propshaft bearings making this noise?

The output shaft being solid isn't necessarily a bill of clean health but it's less likely to catastrophically explode.

Does it reverse around in a circle ok? Tried the one wheel up test?

You can try changing the oil, but a whine usually means a bearing or bushing is nearing the end of its life somewhere. If it were me I'd spend an hour or so pulling the propshaft off and seeing if it makes a difference. It'll allow you to inspect the general state of the bearing carriers, spin the bearings in your hands and take it for a drive and see if the whine persists.

Right plan is to put new prop bearings on tomorrow as they look quite old, the VCU looks new so a test on that as well (but I think it's ok as I do a full lock reverse every day with no hesitation or proplems) I'll post asap with the results - Cheers

Out of interest, does it start whining immediately or only after you've driven it for a while?

To tell the truth I've not really noticed

Is the whine proportional to vehicle speed or engine speed?

It's happening on engine braking, I would like to think I'm keeping the engine revs at a constant speed, so I think it's probably more proportional to vehicle speed

Take the prop off and see if the noise is still there.

Noises from the car can be extremely difficult to identify where they are coming from. Most people will immediately jump to worrying about the IRD, but its usually wrong.

If the pinion on the IRD is OK, I think that removes wind up as causing it. Most of the gears and bearings in the IRD though work for 2WD operation, its only a few that make it 4WD - so that doesn't rule it out as the source of your problem. However, the gearboxes usually cause problems before the IRD 2WD bits, but then wheel bearings usually before the gearbox and the VCU support bearings before them.

I think you're right to look at the VCU support bearings, they're probably the bits that people need to change most frequently for noises.

If you remove the prop and the noise goes - it may be the 4WD bits in the IRD - but then it could also be the support bearings - so keep an open mind.

As matter of course you could change the IRD oil - if it comes out a greyish metallicy colour its a sign of bearing wear. Same goes for the 'box oil and diff.

Well I've only owned this for a few months and I'm still learning lots about it, I've taken the prop shaft off and taken it for a run...It drives great, no bearing noise at all, the first thing I noticed was when I reversed out of the drive on full lock how smooth it was, I also had a small squeak/ rubbing sound when turning on full lock which has now disappeared, leading me to think maybe the VCU isn't as good as I thought it was. So the outcome of this is still to be decided, at the moment I will leave it in two wheel drive and as the pennies come in then buy a recon VCU fit new bearings and take it from there. Thanks chaps for all your help.

Im having a similar problem with mine, there is a whine coming from the IRD area of the car. I have removed the propshaft and the propshaft bearings and the whine still persists. It gets worse as the car gets hotter.

I have also replaced the oil in the IRD and it came out looking fine. Any ideas to what is causing the whine?

Thanks.

s1nn0n said:

Im having a similar problem with mine, there is a whine coming from the IRD area of the car. I have removed the propshaft and the propshaft bearings and the whine still persists. It gets worse as the car gets hotter.

I have also replaced the oil in the IRD and it came out looking fine. Any ideas to what is causing the whine?

Thanks.

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Is the whine proportional to vehicle speed or engine speed?
Does it alter the pitch/sound if driving at the same speed or slowing down on engine braking?

I have this exact same problem. Whine developed from somewhere or other. Took the propshaft off, blanked the ird and changed the oil. The oil out was very clear with no swarf at all. Still have a whine that matches my speed (a little louder when slowing down) not an issue with brakes though. The noise remains the same when cornering so I don't think it's wheel bearings.

I've been driving my '55' plate Freelander 1 since November 2014. It had 58,000 on the clock then and now has 71,000. On occasions it whines dependant on road surface and weather conditions, on other trips it just hums quietly. I don't think it's a matter to lose sleep over.

Colonial said:

I've been driving my '55' plate Freelander 1 since November 2014. It had 58,000 on the clock then and now has 71,000. On occasions it whines dependant on road surface and weather conditions, on other trips it just hums quietly. I don't think it's a matter to lose sleep over.

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A little late in joining this thread a a only com com M journey from buying my girls Freelander to home (about 230 miles) I noticed that road noise cause episodes of paranoia at times especially on the A1 heading north were the of the road are concrete and not tarmac. Any weird/unusual sound can cause a bit of distress but it pays to be logical, when sometimes that is not t natural thing to do. A constant noise th manifests itself should be a concern and any noise that occurs during a similar manouvre(tight turns/wheel bearing/CV joints) for instance.

There are many variables to consider and one good thing about anyone on this website is that they care about th vehicle they are driving. The odd bump or knock can be acceptable but TBH the best evidence you can have is knowing that you yourself have checked and changed the parts/fluids on your own vehicle. So many idiots just don't do that these days.

There is no such thing as as 'sealed for life unit/gearbox'. Mercedes/Jaguar/Audi etc have sold such units for 20 plus years yet still have protocols to service these same units. Merely a play with words to sell more cars.

Forum such such these report real world problems(and solutions) that manufacturers have lost the will to rectify.

Paranoia aside, 'Knowledge dispels fear.

Glosterboy said:

I have this exact same problem. Whine developed from somewhere or other. Took the propshaft off, blanked the ird and changed the oil. The oil out was very clear with no swarf at all. Still have a whine that matches my speed (a little louder when slowing down) not an issue with brakes though. The noise remains the same when cornering so I don't think it's wheel bearings.

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Hello
Did you solve it ? Mine is having similar issues

Dar ran Dar ran said:

Hello
Did you solve it ? Mine is having similar issues

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If he did, he never said so. He's not been on the forum since June 2016.

Nodge68 said:

If he did, he never said so. He's not been on the forum since June 2016.

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Used and abused
My pet project is testing my resolve at the minute!

My problem is it started last weekend bearing noise/ pads / something stuck behind the discs back plate......?
it’s seems worse at slow speed makes no difference turning R L no issues in reverse full lock or not
It’s had driveshafts the drive is smooth no different brakes on only go’s away at a full stop ,
No noise on tick over clutch in clutch out
No bangs or clunks
I am thinking prop bearing or wheel bearing?