New freelander owner after some ownership advice.

Hi Everyone

New guy here. we've just bought a 2000 Freelander diesel. So I thought I'd have a read through the archives and see whats what! I wish I hadn't now, it makes for depressing reading doesn't it! I gather I can look forward to replacing the complete drive train in the not too distant future!

Well the Wife and I have wanted one of these for ages and finally took the plunge and bought one. We love the car so far, but there is a definite bearing noise coming from the back. I assumed it was just a wheel bearing, but now I gather it may be one of many things! I do hope I haven't bought myself a pup?

So i've decided to get her up in the air (car not wife) and have a good check round of pads/shoes/fluid levels etc. Any tips or "must dos" whilst I'm going over her? Any advice gratefully recieved unless it involves petrol and bryant & mays products.

Best

Taipan

I like your sense of humour!

I'm a mere female who only puts petrol in the beast so can't help you with the techie side. I have to admit they are a very popular car so it can't all be bad.

Also don't forget most people search out forums for help when they're in trouble, there must be thousands of happy owners out there - mustn't there??

Check the 3 mounts on the rear drive unit, the one nearest the front is prone to wear. If it's worn, it can affect the propshaft bearings, (either side of the viscous coupled unit)
I'd suggest completely changing the various gearbox oils whilst you have the car up on ramps.
Make sure you remove the filler plugs first though. The IRD filler can be especially tight. (Think over 100 ft lbs on my largest torque wrench! and the edges had been rounded off by someone elses attempts to remove it), and you might have to get the fluid in via the propshaft access point before driving again!
Like you, I got a Freelander and having read this site, had a fair idea what to look out for. The new bearings, fluids and a general cleanup under the car made a huge difference to its performance and noises...
Also thoroughly check the braking systems, the front calipers are prone to sticking or seizing. It's not difficult, just time consuming to sort.
Most things you'll have questions about will have been covered somewhere on the forums, and someone will always point you in the right direction.
Enjoy your Hippo!

Hi All
Thanks for the replys.
I've had a quick look over it. I noticed the rear tyres were worn on the inside and the fronts are new. So after reading this could cause problems I swapped the front to rears etc.
I noticed its had a new rear diff. The serial number is tvk100380 which I believe is the older type one and not the modified one, which is a tad disappointing, but I suppose a new working one is ok. The mounts etc all seem ok.
I have a very definite noisy bearing but can't seem to locate it, as of course you cant spin one wheel like on a normal car. When one side was jacked up I found if I turned the rear wheel the front turned. Is that right?
Also the car has a marked vibration which buzzes in briefly at around 2k revs and goes again as quickly?
I feel a bit out of my depth with this at the moment. so much going on under there. Does anyone know of a mechanic or a transmission place who knows Freelanders in the south essex or surrounding areas, as we love the car and just want to get any problems sorted out.
Many thanks.

Welcome Tai.
If your tires arnt spot on, front and back not just front OR back. this gives you a whine. well it dose on mine if the front pressures are lower than the rear.

mondo said:

Welcome Tai.
If your tires arnt spot on, front and back not just front OR back. this gives you a whine. well it dose on mine if the front pressures are lower than the rear.

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I just set the tyres from 26 front and 34 rear to 30 all round, but the noise is still there.
I think its a front wheel bearing? If you are doing say 50 mph in a straight line the noise gets louder if you turn the steering wheel slightly to the right and quieter if you turn the wheel slightly to the left.

Yep!
sounds like summats shagged!

have a look at the tyres and see if they are wearing evenly, if the tread looks "stepped" this will almost certainly be the cause of your noise

mondo said:

Yep!
sounds like summats shagged!

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Hee Hee
Thats our Mondeo - always straight to the point

The Mad Hat Man said:

Hee Hee
Thats our Mondeo - always straight to the point

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Smirk!
Id still go for the tyres like clutchy says but have a search for ashcroft transmition they have a good write up on checking the vcu, see if its siezed

mondo said:

Smirk!
Id still go for the tyres like clutchy says but have a search for ashcroft transmition they have a good write up on checking the vcu, see if its siezed

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Accy - this should be a sticky - part of a reference library - wud save reinventing the wheel.

I found Ashcrofts website, thanks. For the benefit of the archives they say,
"To check the condition of your viscous coupling unit :
1) Jack up one rear wheel 2) put an 18" bar through the rear prop UJ and try to turn it. 3) it should turn slowly with resistance
Please note even a good one will be quite tight."
So, i'll check tha this afternoon It really does sound like a bearing especially as the pitch changes when you steer? But the two former rears now on the front tyres are worn on the inside and a little stepped. Does this really make the car emulate a bearing sound then?
Weird Land Rovers, how I've missed them!

stepped and worn rear tyres on our 2000 model made a horendous and expensive sounding drone. New rear tyres quietened it right down. Dragging up from memory i believe its recommended to have the newest tyres on the rear, helps the drive train allegedly ! best of luck.

Taipan said:

I noticed its had a new rear diff. The serial number is tvk100380 which I believe is the older type one and not the modified one, which is a tad disappointing, but I suppose a new working one is ok.

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That is the better diff that superceded the tvk100180 IIRC

Asides all of the bad publicity - they are great motors. Yes, I have had to change my head gasket, but after 98K and £550 purchase cost of vehicle who can grumble.

The gasket costs about £30 for the uprated one, and set me back £173 for timing belt, aux drive belts, seals, gaskets, oil rail etc.

Back on the road for a song

G13SJC said:

Asides all of the bad publicity - they are great motors.

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... Exactly. People inevitably post the problems they are having - but that can equally be seen on the Defender/Disco/Range Rover sections of this forum.

Cheers

Blippie

G13SJC said:

Asides all of the bad publicity - they are great motors.

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yup - agree completely - apart from the fact that they are a crap design, poorly built and horrendously expensive to fix, in most cases, with the stealers not takin too much interest, they are perfect

Simple solution to not liking the Freelander: Go buy a Ford Focus ...

Cheers

Blippie

lol

sum of us may not like the Hippoo - but we still have standards!

actually that aint true - I still think the Hippoo is the best looking soft-roader and is (arguably) the best off-road. My point is only that it aint reliable and there comes a time when yu have to say "enuf is enuf" - in my case £4500 in a year!

I LIKE the hippoo - jast cant justify the cost on mine.

Blippie said:

... Exactly. People inevitably post the problems they are having - but that can equally be seen on the Defender/Disco/Range Rover sections of this forum.

Cheers

Blippie

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I've been saying this on a few threads now, most people post their problems on the site, but there will be many more who are quite happy with their motor but just like the banter on site. As I have said before my 1.8 petrol has been fine over the past 3 years except for a few minor niggles. Also previously mentioned from last years MOT to this years NO problems except for regassing aircon. I LIKE MY HIPPO

Why Hippo?