Rear Diff

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V

Vertuas

Active Member
Posts
508
Hi Guys,

Wondered if anyone could diagnose a rear end issue as non of the garages around me can offer any explaination.

I have a bearing noise on the rear of the Freelander from about 35mph upwards. Sitting in the back seat whilst driving, it sounds like the right hand side.

The wheel bearing have been checked numerous times over the period that its has been making a noise.

The noise is worse louder when one of the rear tyres is low on pressure.

Recently, I can hear things in the back vibrating 35-40mph.

I changed all four tyres and the noise has been reduced dramatically, but is still there.

There is oil leaking from the bearing on that side of the diff.

SO the questions are
1. is the diff buggered
2. if not, could it be something else, dry cv joint
3. are there ways to diagnose these issues

4. Do i just bite the bullet and take it to the dealers?!?
 
OldIrishWulf said:
If you don't mind bending over and getting fugked ..
Click to expand...

All the time an effort spend on this issue that no one appears to know anything about (one garage told my that it was just tyre noise, all 4x4s make it and i'm paranoid!!), I could have had a new diff and 2 drive shaft on the car.

Incidently, Ashcrofts cannot supply diffs anymore!
 
OldIrishWulf said:
Its worth having a look at the condition of your trailing arm bushes and diff mounts . For a start .
Click to expand...

Diff mounts where done previously, in course of sorting this out. So long ago that they are probably due to be done again.

Will check the trailing arm bushes out.
 
Wheel bearings can be checked for free play and show none, yet still make plenty of noise due to minor wear.
Get it on a two post ramp - failing that, 4 axle stands - as long as all 4 wheels are off the ground. Start it up, put it in fifth and let the wheels spin. Use a long screwdriver or similar as a primitive stethoscope, holding the handle tight to your ear and pressing the other end to various points of the drivetrain - each side of the diff, each rear hub and if needed underneath for the VCU support bearings. This works very well and you will find where the noise is from.

Do I need to state the bleeding obvious? - dont wear loose clothing etc, keep clear of the spinny bits and have someone sitting in the car ready to stop it.

Also bear in mind that due to the brakes binding very slightly, you may find only one wheel on each axle will spin. Gently use your foot to stop the spinning wheel to transfer drive to the other side. This may show up an ABS fault code, but once on the ground, re-started and driven a short distance the lamp should go out.



Mine had a droning from the rear and no obvious wear in the bearings, but using this method, it was very clear that the left rear bearing was making the noise - changed it out and the noise was gone.
 
my wifes freelander went for a mot a year back and he said rear bearings are gone I said have you check them , as it all seemed so well he said no, it is the noise coming from them , now her tyres were on the limit so it had new ones all round , noise has gone and I took it back for another mot and the tester said you have had the bearings done then I said no just the tyres , so it can be the tyres , how are they near the limit? but if you think it is the diff get under with a torch and have a good look and try to shove the drive shaft up and down to see if there is any movement
 
Have you checked vcu? Even the effect your tyre pressures and condition are having on noise could possibly point at this. A duff vcu might be stressin yer diff, and of course its known to lead to oil leakage from the diff too. Have you actually changed the wheel bearings or just checked them?
 
does your diff smell as though it has gas coming from it as this is the oil getting very hot in the diff and that means a problem of sorts
 
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