rear diff oil change!

hi, i've started to do a full oil change on the freelander,ie engine/gearbox/ird and rear diff.now i have done the first 3 no problem but i'll be buggered if i can see a drain plug on the rear diff. is there one? if not how you supposed to get the old oil out?

there isn't one, there's no service schedule for diff oil. its only designed to be topped up.

clutchdust said:

there isn't one, there's no service schedule for diff oil. its only designed to be topped up.

Click to expand...

fair enough,saved me a job and a litre of oil then. cheers

I'm a newbie to Freelander stuff.........usually on Rangerover forum

Got the wife's Freelander on ramp at the mo; noisy rear diff. I had wrongly assumed a drain/filler plug but there appears to be none, just a rear-facing plate secured with about 10 bolts. Would I be right in thinkng remove upper-most bolt then fill through there, or am I totally off-track??

Thanks in advance!!

There should be a top up/level plug about 1/3 to 1/2 way up in the middle of the plate.

Thanks for quick response, nothing obvious there though, just a series of bolts around the outer

MMM...It should be there!
What year is your hippo mines a 2005 TD4 though I don't think this should make any difference. Some of the other guys may know better.

Found it! :doh:

As you said, about 1/3 up, square drive plug with magnet. Took ages to fill using syringe!! Took it down the road, sounds quieter, but not right. Best check wheel bearings etc next I guess!!

It's a '99 T plate 1.8 soft-top thingy!!

Are you certain the noise is coming from the diff?
The vcu bearings can get noisey when they are on the way out, although this sound tends to come from under the drivers seat.

Pretty sure it's back-end, and strangley, swmbo even agrees that it seems louder when moving in front passenger seat....... gonna have to get local indy to take a look methinks ££££!!!

You can drop the whole prop and vcu unit in 1 piece and run it in mondeo mode (2 wheel drive).
This would confirm if it's the vcu bearings or not.

Good thinking, if can find the time/inclination......... already doin a 7-day week then eve's on bike/car maint!! Prolly have to get indy to take a gander.

Thanks for help/advice - i'll post update when I know what the heck it is!