Freelander 1 Low velocity vibration/thrum

I collected my daughter from Swimming in the Freelander last night - and now rather worried...

The problem is that on extreme right wheel lock and reverse there is a low-ish frequency thrum/vibration that summates with the engine note. It isn't very extreme but it wasn't there before looning around over Salisbury Plane at the weekend.

Currently, I genuinely have no idea where it is coming from or what it means, but hope it isn't transmission related...

The VCU bearings definitely need replacing. They're noisy, but I don't think that has changed very much and is a planned "summer job".

This peculiar symptom was present before I pressure washed the car underneath on Sunday - and the noise appeared to go after getting rid of a huge ball of grass/mud/stones from between the offside driveshaft and lower wishbone. But now it is back

I'll need to investigate much further when I get the time - but just wonder what you guys think? I haven't found anything similar mentioned in any threads on searching through the forum archives - most noises are clunks or vibrations at 30-50mph. Mine returns to normal as soon as the road speed increases over 4 or 5 mph.

Any thoughts as to what to look at first? To be honest I'll be looking at everything from engine to transmission to brakes to suspension - it's a weird one!

Look at all the rotating components for mud clumps. If the VCU bearings got a good drenching, then maybe some muck got onto them?
The best bet is get it off the ground and drive the transition, so all the wheels spin freely in the air. You can then watch all the components for imbalances. Obviously only do that if you have a safe way to keep it in the air.

Not this...
https://www.mojevideo.sk/video/11108/land_rover_freelander_jump.html

If it is on lock then its when the 2 axles are rotating at different speeds so there will be stresses going through the prop shaft and things like the support bearings and diff mounts will presumably be having to hold everything inplace - might be highlighting any problems with them.

Have you checked your tyre pressures and rims since going off road? Might have damaged or otherwise knocked some air out of 1.

davidsmith1307 said:

Not this...
https://www.mojevideo.sk/video/11108/land_rover_freelander_jump.html

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While the Freelander is quite strong, it won't take that punishment for long. I would expect there to be suspension damage after that single jump. The FL1 bounced up after landing. This is a sure sign that the suspension compressed fully, allowing the body to become elastic. This results in the vehicle rebounding off the ground again. Not a very respectful way to treat a car.

I should imagine it was already fooked if they were messing around like that.

I didn’t grab any air! Lol

I don’t think this is transmission. The noise is fortunately very reproducible and when brought on by turning to the right, the raspier noise persists even with the clutch depressed.

The engine bay is caked in mud, with loads on the inside of the skid pan/ under-tray. I should have pressure washed the engine bay! But it’s a petrol. So I worry about the electrics...

rob_bell said:

I didn’t grab any air! Lol

I don’t think this is transmission. The noise is fortunately very reproducible and when brought on by turning to the right, the raspier noise persists even with the clutch depressed.

The engine bay is caked in mud, with loads on the inside of the skid pan/ under-tray. I should have pressure washed the engine bay! But it’s a petrol. So I worry about the electrics...

View attachment 139983 View attachment 139984

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I feel guilty now...........................

Cheers

Nah! Don’t Neil: I was using it as Land Rover should be and I’ll fix it!

rob_bell said:

Nah! Don’t Neil: I was using it as Land Rover should be and I’ll fix it!

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I was still impressed, it was like the little engine that could, although I think in my head I had taken to nicknaming it the "little donkey" by the end of the day. A little more ground clearance and it would be great. Better than a Suzuki Jimny or a Toyota Hilux anyway...

Cheers

You can use a pressure washer on a K series Rob. Leave the engine running and avoid directly spraying the electrical connections. It'll clean up pretty good. If you do damp a connection, then a blast of WD40 will see you right.

My thinking too Neil. Higher profile, larger tyres and may be a 40mm lift would be just what's needed!

Thanks Nodge - I'll give that a go. I heard about one guy who killed his K-series through water ingestion! I guess I just need to be careful around the air intake! LOL

rob_bell said:

My thinking too Neil. Higher profile, larger tyres and may be a 40mm lift would be just what's needed!

Thanks Nodge - I'll give that a go. I heard about one guy who killed his K-series through water ingestion! I guess I just need to be careful around the air intake! LOL

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Avoid the air intake and and electrical bits and it'll be fine. I've cleaned all my FL1 engines with a pressure washer, never had a problem yet.

Nodge68 said:

Avoid the air intake and and electrical bits and it'll be fine. I've cleaned all my FL1 engines with a pressure washer, never had a problem yet.

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Thanks