Like it's jumping out of gear but it's not...

Hi guys, my first post on here. I've done a quick search of the forum looking for someone who has had a similar problem but cannot find any threads, so here's my problem if anyone can help...

We have a 2000 1.8 petrol manual Freelander. When reversing slowly, there are no issues. When you have to give it a little bit more welly, like reversing round corners or uphill, there is a sudden clunk that sounds like it is coming from below, to the drivers left. It is similar to when a car jumps out of gear, in that the cars reversing motion reduces to a halt. But when checked, the car is still in gear (instinctively my foot goes on the clutch once the clunk happens). I'm thinking gearbox fault, but I'm no mechanic, as it only happens in reverse, all forward gears are fine. It's only just started happening, and if you reverse carefully (slowly) in a straight line on a level surface, there's no issue at the mo.

I hope it is not an expensive fault pending, but I am fearing the worst, has anyone got any suggestions as to what the problem might be???

Thanks in advance
DaveO

I'm not a big expert, but sounds like either a cracked chassis, or the VCU is giving problems...

Tippex test your VCU

Thanks for the replys. I've been looking around for info on the whole situation, and found the bellengineering 'common problems and symptoms' site has a useful summary of VCU/IRD problems. As the VCU has not been replaced and the car is on 80k+ miles, it would seem that this is the problem. My next question is, how can you tell that the IRD has been damaged if the VCU needs replacing? The steering has always been 'tight' on full lock, but I've assumed it is a Freelander trait. The car drives fine in forward gears, and reversing no problem in a straight line. With corners, and more load on the transmission, this is where the clunk sounds. What damage is this doing to the IRD? And how long can I expect the VCU to take to replace labour-wise? Thanks for any help with my questions...
Dave

My Lseries has done 170,300 miles and I'm very sure its still got the original vcu.Have you checked the gearbox,diff and ird oil levels.
You typed that it makes a clunk sound turning in reverse,if it was a continuous clunking,clacking or clicking sound while turning it could be a knackered drive shaft cv joint.
If its a single clunk,it could be anything.

Have a look in the FAQ section re VCU checks. Then check VCU bearings, front diff mount and subframe mounts - also in FAQ section.

Took it into a 4x4 specialist today. Seems the clunk, with transmission heavily loaded (reversing round corners/uphill etc), is likely to be a CV joint on its way out. Sounded nothing like other CV problems I've had, which have all been in 2wd cars, totally different with the 4wd. The good news is that the VCU is not knackered. The bad news is that there's about £500 of other stuff needs doing (Rear diff mount, engine mount, PAS supply leak etc etc). Still, at least the clunking sound seems not to be a biggie...
Fingers crossed and thanks for the helpful replies
Dave

Did you leave it with them,so they could rape you :mooning: as the guy who recovered my vehicle weeks ago (a landy nutter) put it when we talked about dealer charges.
They will change everything it could be,and charge a limb for it.

d onions,

I had exactly same problem with my Freelander last autumn which rapidly (i.e on way to garage) was joined by bumps and bangs when driving along too.

Friendly local garage showed me the VCU had seized so I removed it and the propshafts and went mondo mode - nasty noises disappeared straight away and car drives fine.

So first thing I would say is remove the VCU & propshafts ASAP, it's not difficult (although you will need a torx socket), a garage would do it in less than an hour.

I've been driving the car no problem like this for 6 months no problem but I'm unsure if it's just the VCU that was knackered or is the IRD goosed too? - do the internals of the IRD still move after the VCU is removed?, I'm not so sure now ....maybe my bill will be just a new VCU?

snifferg said:

I've been driving the car no problem like this for 6 months no problem but I'm unsure if it's just the VCU that was knackered or is the IRD goosed too? - do the internals of the IRD still move after the VCU is removed?, I'm not so sure now ....maybe my bill will be just a new VCU?

Click to expand...

If the VC was locked the clunking/banging would have to be coming from either the IRD or rear diff. With the VC removed the worn/damaged parts are still revolving but without any load being applied to them which is most likely why they no longer make those nasty noises.

Fortunately I have a mate who's a mechanic, so it'll be mates rates to get things sorted. The specialist explained everything as we walked around underneath. He did however make a small charge for diagnosis! Fair enough. He turned one of the rear wheels whilst the car was on the ramp. VCU was tight but not seized. We are not using it for the time being so the problems shouldn't get any worse...

I have just bought a 2001 Freelander with 43,00o genuine miles on the clock it drives like a dream but guess what. When reversing on full left lock it jumps out of gear. No other time, just full left lock in reverse. It's going into a Landrover dealer next week so I'll tell you what they say

sounds like ****ed vcu (Viscous coupling)

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