possible vcu/ird problem ?

just got back from a trip to wales and my TD4 it feels like a lot more vibration than there used to be...like it feels its in 3rd gear instead of 5th..more buzzy, and on turning especially left..a deep rumbling noise is felt (like big end bearing noise), Now it would seem to me that it might be a vcu problem but it was replaced as well as both bearings and the rear prop shaft about 10 thousand miles ago (before I bought it, receipts here) and a recon diff six months later, so cant be any of those surely can it ? also I had gearbox oil changed and ird oil changed.
going to have bell engineering check it over this weekend as I live close,
any other ideas guys ? its not a knocking more like a deep rumbling..
any help welcome

If cheap VCU bearings were used, this is the time they start to fail. Go underneath and thump the prop just in front of the front bearing - you'll hear it knock if it's failed. Also, you can put the car up on stands, run it in gear and get underneath and use a screwdriver as a stethoscope - be careful though.

Wheel bearing? Usually comes from a particular direction.
CV joint? Usually a clicking on turns.
IRD? Hope not, but check for play in the drive flange.
Rear diff? Noise should obviously come from the rear.

If the rear diff was changed, was the VCU changed as well? Rear diffs don't often fail without the VCU causing it to fail.

Check the read diff centre mount I had to change mine again recently this time I used poly bush ones.

I'd put the rumbling down to a failing bearing. As for feeling like it's in 3rd not 5th, is it auto or manual?

Skinny Mike said:

I'd put the rumbling down to a failing bearing. As for feeling like it's in 3rd not 5th, is it auto or manual?

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Skinny Mike you are spot on, well about 99% mate, took my TD4 to bell's and he found that the rear bearing was flopping about like the skin on a dieters stomach...
well actually the bearing was intact but the rubber surround had failed. So the vcu and the ird was ok, so need to change both bearings, so need to look for a price for new LR bearings haha. any ideas ? btw it's manual..

When my rear bearings failed, I took it down to the local garage, can't be arsed to press them in and out anymore. He ordered oem parts and fitted them for about £200. Been in a couple of years and still going strong. If you want to do it, ask at your local car spares for oem parts, if you want LR try your dealer or Rimmerbros.co.uk. Have fun, hopefully the weird running is just down to the knackered bearing. Mike

Skinny Mike said:

When my rear bearings failed, I took it down to the local garage, can't be arsed to press them in and out anymore. He ordered oem parts and fitted them for about £200. Been in a couple of years and still going strong. If you want to do it, ask at your local car spares for oem parts, if you want LR try your dealer or Rimmerbros.co.uk. Have fun, hopefully the weird running is just down to the knackered bearing. Mike

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yes mate, spoke to my local indi guy and he said LR ones are (sharp intake of breath) expensive, cant remember which ones he said he uses...said they are okay but I'm spooked...he is phoning me this week with parts price...but I will insist on OEM with him or source them myself for him to fit. GKN is the way to go.

http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/propshaft-bearing-toq000040-9806-toq000040gkn-p-27535.html

Easy enough to change yourself - use an oiled Stanley knife to cut through the rubber surround. You can then get a cheapo two or three-leg puller on the bearing itself. Use a big socket on the inner race to drive the new bearing into place.