Freelander 1 Rear Diff Noise

Hi all

A couple of weeks ago when I was taking one of my Freelanders out of the field the front wheels lost grip and spun up a bit. Freelander got out ok but after this incident I noticed I had a dull knocking noise from the rear of the vehicle if turning left or right at low speed. The noise sounded a bit like a CV joint

So far I have :-
I have checked the rear CV joints and can't really feel any movement on inner or outer joints
Removed the propshaft (knocking noise has now stopped) and noted one of the vcu bearings is shot.
Checked the rear diff mounts (new November 2015 and no movement)
OWU test was about 40 seconds
Noticed I have a high pitch whine at about 50 from rear.

I think the rear diff is knacked, but before I spend a couple of hours and ££££ is there any other checks or tests I can do to eliminate rear wheel bearings and CV's

Should I check the IRD - remove pinion and look at crown wheel?
Can I check the rear diff for wear?

Thanks
Andy

A good way to check the IRD is to change the oil - if it comes out looking like oil it'll be OK - but if it looks grey, there are problems. If you do it - remember to loosen the fill plug before the drain.

If the VCU is timing at 40 seconds. There's no need to suspect the rear diff has failed. They are very strong and generally reliable. It might be worth changing the oil in it though. The most likely cause of a whine is from the IRD. Again change the oil and check for metallic particulates. Of the oil is metal free but black. Just change it with 75w 90 synthetic.
The banging is likely to to the VCU bearing that has failed.

OK will I will change the IRD oil and diff oil. hopefully I can syringe most of the read diff oil out. I have a spare VCU bearing so I will pop that on and report back

Hope it is not too cold tomorrow

I too have a rear end issue, but first a little history, bought the 2005 freelander adventurer which had had the diff, Vcu and rear drive shafts removed, the duff was still in place but a lot of play and front rubber bush support was shot.
I drained IRD oil and all appeared good ie no sparkly / grey deposits.
I liked the freelander so much I decided to reinstate the 4x4 system, not being wealthy I bought what I believed to be good used parts-vcu & prop came with new carrier bearings, rear drive shafts came clean and without any obvious damage and the rear diff was grumpy but not much play ! Cleaned up nicely and all parts fitted by a local garage new quality oil went in diff
All was great for 4 days smooth and quiet but in the 5th day god created what I can only describe as a dry bearing/droning sound , took back to garage they had no idea suggested I drive it till it became more evident!!?!?
Only seems to start after I’ve done a mile or 2 more evident on acceleration but goes off momentarily when decelerating , nouse is there when freewheeling , took it off road everything worked as it should gripped well for road bias tyres all of which are new by the way. Got back on main road and the mouse is back??. Now today took my Missus to pick up a load of skate chipping sand proper loaded the back of the freelander and lone be hold the noise went all but for the occasional drone????
Any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated before I convince myself the diff is toast and buy another!!
Many thanks in anticipation

Dinger110 said:

Any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated before I convince myself the diff is toast and buy another!!

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Are all tyres identical, i.e. same make, same type, with least worn on the rear?

Firstly thanks for reply, No but identical on each axle, ever so slightly more worn to the front.

I think this should be you're first look up. Specifically to the tyres and testing the VCU...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-1-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

Dinger110 said:

Firstly thanks for reply, No but identical on each axle, ever so slightly more worn to the front.

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Ok. In that case use the guide that GG has helpfully created.

GrumpyGel said:

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-1-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

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I'd be double checking the VCU bearings were aligned when they were fitted, and if they feel okay. It sounds like maybe one or both of them have went bad already, either due to faulty manufacture, or bad alignment putting forces on them that they can't handle.

Thanks guys,
Didn’t realise there was a specific measurement for them but will check today as got the freelander up and removed the rear prop , noise has gone! Rechecked oil in the diff all good, movement on diff maybe 1/2 inch in bushes and output shaft from diff to prop maybe a 1/4 inch turn, checked vcu carrier bearings all seem in line. Gonna put back together and see what we have! Maybe one of those miracle cures has taken place?!?! Or the diffs toast !‍

Nope noise is still there ‍ Like a dry bearing! Gotta be an issue with the diff breaking down !

Have you checked the actual wheel bearings for play?

Yup whilst it was up on axle stands , solid no movement at all and no noise with rear axle removed‍ Think a cheap 2nd hand duff and give that a go! Tanks for suggestion

Are you sure the noise isn't from the VCU support bearings? They fail for a pastime, if they're cheap pattern parts.

Nodge68 said:

Are you sure the noise isn't from the VCU support bearings? They fail for a pastime, if they're cheap pattern parts.

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They were new with VCU so can’t verify brand or quality but only on the car 4 days and less then 60 miles in that period , ran the freelander without the rear prop today , no noise but ever so slight vibration could be felt, re fitted the diff and the dry whirring sound as I said I’m fairly mechanically minded and sounds like a Dry bearing! And mouse seems to be from further back than bearings, but I do know how noise can appear under a vehicle had drop links fail and been convinced the noise is no where near the actual fault!‍

It was the dry bearing sound which made me think it's the VCU bearings, as those make a dry bearing sound.

The diff is full of oil, or should be, so doesn't normally make a dry bearing sound.

I see your point and thanks , checked oil in diff and even put s bit more in that’s defo full. I’m assuming the the Vcu bearings would carry on turning without rear diff and if your view was so would the noise still be there or not due to the fact the pressures off due to no rear prop???

If the front propshaft is fitted, then the VCU will continue to spin on its bearings. If VCU bearings are noisy, then they will remain noisy, whether the rear diff is connected or not.

It might be prudent to spin the VCU on its bearings, as roughness will be felt.

I did take freelander for a drive up the road without the rear prop, noise had gone but felt slight vibration which I assume is the fact there is only 1 prop so kind of out of balance.
Suppose it is possible to be Vcu bearing but without the pressure of the rear prop the rear Vcu bearings don’t make any noise until rear prop is back on.
Would of thought the oil in the diff would quieten most grumblings . Spun rear wheels no noises and both wheels turned freely, did the Vcu check with one wheel in the air and all was good.