Freelander 1 Rear Diff Noise

Caould the bearings at Vcu be just dry? And is it possible to grease/oil?

Dinger110 said:

Caould the bearings at Vcu be just dry? And is it possible to grease/oil?

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They don't last long, if they're not genuine GKN parts. Pattern parts last months, not years.
The issue is water and dirt gets into the races of inferior quality bearings, causing them to go noisy.

If the rubber supports are ok, then it is often possible to replace the bearings, with the OE FAG bearing races.

Nodge68 said:

They don't last long, if they're not genuine GKN parts. Pattern parts last months, not years.

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More like days or hours if they are like the ones a PO fitted to my G4!! Fitted just before purchase, quiet for a day then stuck with rust and noisey. When removed they couldn't be turned with your fingers!!

These were new but been in storage so as I said can’t verify the quality , but imagine many people go cheap thinking they’re getting the same! Buy cheap buy twice!
I’ve got a 4 hour journey tomorrow , any lasting damage if I leave till next week to have a closer look?

Depends what it is!!

If it is quiet with rear prop off I'd use it like that until identified.

Ok update! Ran the car in 2 wheel drive ran beautifully no noise from transmission at all then Bought hardy spicer bearings from paddock with gkn bearings quite expensive but I like the car! All back together and a similar noise but not identical ‍‍‍! About ready to bite the bullet and put into a specialist to diagnose! Noise only occurs when rear diff is in place! Happy to receive suggestions guys, rear diff has a little backlash and no other movement Vcu is good 4x4 works with no clunks do assume ird is good?? HELP!

Have you drained the fluids in the diff and IRD to check for contamination and metal particles?

Ird and diff both drained , oil inspected and new quality oil Castrol fully synthetic of correct consistency ! Car worked fine for 4 days when original bearings were replaced so I’m at a loss! The only thing I have noticed when turning front prop by hand is a bit of backlash maybe a half inch but it does clunk?? But assume that to be a normal engagement of drive??

What colour was the oil from the IRD?

Does it have 4 identical tyres fitted?

Oil was black likely never been changed 167k but no evidence grey shiny particles, 4 new tyres fitted in last 3 months 2 different brands but same tyre in same axle, slightly newer ones going to rear axle.
And thanks for your thoughts

Dinger110 said:

4 new tyres fitted in last 3 months 2 different brands but same tyre in same axle

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That's bad. All tyres need to be identical, if transmission overloading is to be avoided. Try putting the odd tyres on each side to test this. Keep one rear where it is, then swap the other rear to the diagonally opposite front, and vice versa. This will ease the transmission wind up, and might reduce the noise.

Also make sure the VCU is mounted on the exact centre line of the vehicle, and the bearings are running exactly 90° to the VCU shafts.

Will try switching the tyres next week, tried aligning the Vcu as best I could measured distance between Vcu and bearing mount , there isn’t a great deal of central play but aligned as best I could!