Rear wheel bearings or diff

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Chris_68

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Location
Sweden
Hi folks,

Is there a way to find out if the noice from rear is due to wheel bearings or diff? The car is a Freelander 1 -04 26000km and afaik the bearings are never replaced. I have the car jacked up at the moment trying to listen and recorded when spinning the wheels but doesnt getting any wiser.

I have done a "one wheel up" test and its 43s so the VCU is fine, any suggestions what to test?

/Chris
 
Ears can deceive and noises tend to transmit down body and propshaft etc.

An easy check and a very likely cause is the VCU bearings.

Simply unbolt and support the VCU clear of body then spin them by hand on the prop.

Check for backlash (free play) in diff and also oil level and oil for metal particles.

Bearings show up usually if wheel is spun.
 
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Hi Andy

Thank you very much, The VCU was replaced 3 years ago and haven't driven much, bearings are GKN. I will check if I don't find anything else that's wrong.

Main suspect now is the diff :-(
 
Hi

I had MOT today so didn't want to mess with transmission before that, will check the VCU bearings in the weekend.
Now I have to focus on the lambda value which MOT didn't like :)
 
Hi

First, thank you and excuse me for slow response. Had to remove manifold and exhaust to weld a leaking exhaust and after that too many other projects.

Its quite a job to remove the prop shaft so decided to replace the bearings (not entire assembly) and U-joints,
If I understand correctly original ones are 30x55x15, would it work with 30x55x13 SKF/FAG ? the wider ones are three times as expensive. I have only found 30x55x19, they are expensive and not sure they will fit.

U-joints, the prices are either t £4-5 or £50 for genuine, is it worth to get genuine?

Thank you !
 
Hi,

I removed the VCU and propshaft and drove a bit, the noise (but less I think) is still there so a humble request for advice.

I filled up the diff oil some months ago, will try to empty, inspect oil and refill. I attach a video of the backlash, is it acceptable or could this be the problem?
The video is recorded with wheels on ground.

/Chris
 
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Looks OK to me.

Should say I have no idea what it should look like, just looks OK to me. I'm going by the IRD pinion which I think that would be OK on, so long as there was no lateral movement.
 
Thanks, I'm now in the process of replacing the VCU bearings, U-joints. plus new diff oil, couldn't find anything obvious but better to replace since I removed everything.
Will report back when I have all parts.
 
Slow progress here... A question regarding UJ. I ordered ones with a grease nipple but there's no grub screw and not easy get one here.
Can I leave the grease nipples in place?

Thanks
/Chris
 
Slow progress here... A question regarding UJ. I ordered ones with a grease nipple but there's no grub screw and not easy get one here.
Can I leave the grease nipples in place?

Thanks
/Chris
If the grease fitting doesn't get in the way under normal running, then it can be left in place. Put the grease fitting on the shaft side, not the flange side, as it will be easier to get the gun on. ;)
 
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