Freelander 1 Rattle at rear felt on handbrake (SOLVED)

This one has got me beat !

TD4 2002. Started an annoying rattle sound from rear, sounds central but can feel the same vibration on handbrake lever.

Applying handbrake slightly doesn't stop it.

Checked and replaced a prop uj that was a bit slack.

Checked rear brakes and all good, pins etc.

Driving me nuts !!!

Ideas please.

Is the cable secure in it's bracket? Is the compensator touching something?

Not the exhaust rattling against the underside of the body?

Harmonic balancer on VCU becoming loose?

Keep them coming !!
Not exhaust or handbrake cable mounts.
Will check VCU and compensator.
Probs be simple and obvious when I find it !!

When I fitted a re-conned VCU & bearings from Bell Engineering the bearings lasted less than 3,000 miles this also caused vibration through the h/b lever, had me stumped & in the end I removed the VCU supports, removed the rubber seal in the bearings & they were shot ! So I made a point of packing the replacements with grease before fitting (& I'd recommend anyone doing the same). Done about 20,000 since without issue. Just to add I don't recall having a rattle just vibration which you could also feel when you held the handbrake lever.

If it happens over a bump on a particular side, then it's likely a shock gone soft.

New shocks 5k ago. The problem is it won't do it by bouncing, only uneven roads. Will maybe have to purchase mics on and have a listen. Been underneath and shaken everything !!

Are there any heat shields on the TD4 along the exhaust that could have come loose?

Good idea, but no !

Think the winner gets a beer.

Is it definitely something under the car, rather than something in it like a loose seat mounting?

Yep, good idea. I think off the wall thinking is needed now as it really is nothing obvious. Can't decide if the vibration on the handbrake is coming up the cables or purely cos it is bolted to the tunnel.

andyfreelandy said:

Good idea, but no !

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Bugger.

andyfreelandy said:

Think the winner gets a beer.

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Its got serious, real incentive to help

Hope its a British beer, if I get it right, I don't want you no crappy Kiwi beer ordered online.

Has the handbrake lever mounting come loose?

Cubby box come loose knocking on the lever?

Something loose under the cubby box?

Come on Gerald, think....

Desperate for a beer GG ?? Will be checking all the ideas tomorrow. Will report back. Keep thinking.
Might disconnect the handbrake cable at the lever and see if it changes.

andyfreelandy said:

Desperate for a beer GG ?? Will be checking all the ideas tomorrow. Will report back. Keep thinking.
Might disconnect the handbrake cable at the lever and see if it changes.

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Tell you what, why don't you disconnect the handbrake cable at the lever and see if it changes.

You know I suggested it first.

Brilliant idea !
Wadworths or Exmoor??

So, was driving along with my hand on my accelerometer !! Let me explain.
Took out elbow cubby box.

Loosened handbrake cable slightly so that I could feel cables and handbrake separately for vibration. No vibration on cables. Some on handbrake and tunnel.


Brushed hand against accelerometer!!! Cadanga.......it was rattling and vibrating the tunnel.


Anyone know what's in it ? Presumably a shuttle of some sort. Will swap for a spare but positive that is it. I have changed UJs, bushes, serviced brakes, tightened underneath bolts, checked exhaust mounts. But wow, .such a tiny box, such a big noise......


Any one confirm the contents of the box. Is it active and operated by ABS or just feeds signal to ABS ??

andyfreelandy said:

So, was driving along with my hand on my accelerometer !! Let me explain.



Took out elbow cubby box.

Loosened handbrake cable slightly so that I could feel cables and handbrake separately for vibration. No vibration on cables. Some on handbrake and tunnel.

Brushed hand against accelerometer!!! Cadanga.......it was rattling and vibrating the tunnel.

Anyone know what's in it ? Presumably a shuttle of some sort. Will swap for a spare but positive that is it. I have changed UJs, bushes, serviced brakes, tightened underneath bolts, checked exhaust mounts. But wow, .such a tiny box, such a big noise......

Any conform the contents of the box. Is it active and operated by ABS or just feeds signal to ABS ??

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Nice discovery.

It's used by the ABS module to determine the angle of a hill.

Open it up and post some detailed pictures of the inside, and I should be able to work out what's in it.

Nodge68 said:

Nice discovery

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It's a Freelander !!
It defo contains a rattly thing !

andyfreelandy said:

It's a Freelander !!
It defo contains a rattly thing !

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Sorry, a slip of the keyboard. Nice find!!