rear diff creaking while cornering slow??

Hi,

Have had a creaking noise from the rear for a while now, only happens while cornering any direction at slow speeds ( < 30mph). The noise doesnt happen in reverse. I thought it was the suspension but my mechanic reckons its the transmission (rear diff). Before I take it to a recommended transmission guy, has anyone had experience of a rear diff making a creaking on cornering and what the problem has been?

Its a 2006 Freelander Sport

Thanks

Check for broken subframe attachments or cracked subframe.

See FAQ section

Had a go at the subframe with a crow bar but cant get any noise. The noise had actually calmed down until I gave her an MOT wash underneath and then it got a lot worse than it ever was. I have it booked in with a transmission guy on Tuesday to look at the rear diff. Would the rear diff cause a creaking noise? The mounts on the rear diff have been replaced a couple of times cos of a knocking noise.

If the rear UJ between the diff and prop goes dry or siezes it will creak or crack as you turn hard. When the wheel is on lock the uj is turning when it is not true, what its meant to do, if one or more of the bearing has had it it will complain.

check if all four bolts holding the sub frame on are tight 190Lbs

thanks, i'll have a look at the u joints and the bolts tomorrow

So I discovered from the transmission guy that my VCU was seized. I got the propshaft removed and it was silent. Got a reconditioned VCU and fitted it and the propshaft again. There is now a really noticible droning noise from the rear especially at speed on the motorway. Does it sound like the seized vcu has wrecked the diff?

Did you fit new VCU support bearings and align them ?

Interesting!
Did changing the VCU get rid of the creaking? I was thinking it might have been a dry leg on the UJ too, especially if you went a bit wild with the powerwasher.
If the rear diff was damaged by the old VCU I would have thought it would make a different noise under power then when on the overrun...does it?
If it's the same drone whether under power or not, then perhaps it's an out of balance VCU or a bad damper assuming you renewed the bearings while you were at it.

The droning noise seems to let up when I take my foot off the power, although I will make sure tonight. When its underpowered it makes a wild racket as well... like if i'm going through the village still in 4th or 5th gear at 30 mph you can hardly hear a thing in the cabin. The creaking noise is starting to crop back in as well
All of these noises existed prior to taking the VCU and propshaft off and after putting the new vcu and old propshaft back on. When the propshaft was off ALL noises stopped.
The VCU support bearings came pre fitted from landrovercity, I assume my mechanic just fitted it as it was.
Would it be easy enough to tell by looking at it if the alignment is not correct? Are the UJs easily accessible? I'm not really mechanically minded although I am trying to learn.

The creaking noise is back 2 days after replacing the vcu and reconnecting the propshaft.
Also the droning/whining noise mostly appears to be on power. Also when going slow in a high gear the noise from the back doesnt sound good.
All of these noises stopped when the propshaft was off. If its the rear diff its gonna have to wait til next year... is there any chance of that causing other problems or would the problems remain isolated to the rear diff (if indeed thats what the problem is)?