Freelander 1 Rubbing Noise

YamYam93 · Aug 14, 2020

Afternoon all, I've had this problem with my 2004 TD4 for a while and I was wondering if anyone can shed light on this for me.
Every now and then whilst driving, I can just about hear a rapid rubbing noise. At high speeds you can just about hear it and it is more noticeable when you slow down and when you are turning sharply. Doesn't sound like anything grinding but something is definitely rubbing as I can hear a "whub, whub, whub" sound (no it's not coming from my stereo before anyone says it, I have got standards when it comes to music).
This isn't a constant noise, half the time it drives alright and then at some point the noise eventually starts. I have figured out that the noise is coming from the rear of the wagon but I have no idea where exactly and what could be causing it. Have had a look at my tires and I can't see any excess wearing on them so I don't think it would be them.

Can anyone help me out with this?

marjon · Aug 14, 2020

Do you have a bunch of that sound deadening thin aluminum under the FL? (Our 322 does).
Had a similar noise intermittent. Was a bent bit that only rubbed at certain times.

J

saxavordian · Aug 14, 2020

Sounds like a stuck Scuba Diver or a Lycra clad cyclist. Try travelling at high speed on rough terrain to dislodge the problem.

Nodge68 · Aug 14, 2020

Rear drums would be my guess. There's a potential safety issue with corrosion rotting the rear shoe hold down pins on these. The brakes are supposed to be stripped, cleaned, have deteriorated parts replaced, lubricated and reassembled every year, but never are. Often they work ok, so are never touched or looked at for years. This can leave them with rusting shoe hold down pins, which can allow the shoes to come adrift, with the potential for sudden fluid loss.

This issue often starts with a quiet rubbing noise, as the shoe is rubbing the drum, because the hold down pin has failed.

There's another less serious brake issue, where the rain shield has come away from the back plate, which again rubs on the drums.

I'd be getting the rear brakes looked at, and if they've not been touched for years, then it's probably best to have the whole lot replaced. The hand brake will definitely work better afterwards, and you'll know you won't have sudden brake failure.

YamYam93 · Aug 14, 2020

marjon said:
Do you have a bunch of that sound deadening thin aluminum under the FL? (Our 322 does).
Had a similar noise intermittent. Was a bent bit that only rubbed at certain times.

J

Don't think so, have had a brief look underneath and couldn't see anything out of place. Could do with getting a garage to have a proper look at it.

Nodge68 said:
Rear drums would be my guess. There's a potential safety issue with corrosion rotting the rear shoe hold down pins on these. The brakes are supposed to be stripped, cleaned, have deteriorated parts replaced, lubricated and reassembled every year, but never are. Often they work ok, so are never touched or looked at for years. This can leave them with rusting shoe hold down pins, which can allow the shoes to come adrift, with the potential for sudden fluid loss.

This issue often starts with a quiet rubbing noise, as the shoe is rubbing the drum, because the hold down pin has failed.

There's another less serious brake issue, where the rain shield has come away from the back plate, which again rubs on the drums.

I'd be getting the rear brakes looked at, and if they've not been touched for years, then it's probably best to have the whole lot replaced. The hand brake will definitely work better afterwards, and you'll know you won't have sudden brake failure.

That sounds more likely, I'm the second owner of this wagon and the dealer did tell me the original owner had left it on their drive for nearly a whole year before selling it which hasn't done it any good. There is a lot of corrosion on the outside of the drums and I'm going to assume that they are still the factory originals judging by the state of them. Looks like another trip to the garage then.

YamYam93 · Jan 9, 2021

Rather late update due to everything that went wrong last year. Wagon has been to the garage regarding brakes, turns out they are perfectly fine and it was actually the propshaft bearings and the vcu damper plate that had gone. Rubber had completely perished in the bearings hence the rubbing and the rather loud rattling noises. Brand new bearings have been acquired (splashed out on a decent pair this time) along with a new damper plate, just waiting for the garage to fit me in to finally sort this out.

Alibro · Jan 10, 2021

YamYam93 said:
Rather late update due to everything that went wrong last year. Wagon has been to the garage regarding brakes, turns out they are perfectly fine and it was actually the propshaft bearings and the vcu damper plate that had gone. Rubber had completely perished in the bearings hence the rubbing and the rather loud rattling noises. Brand new bearings have been acquired (splashed out on a decent pair this time) along with a new damper plate, just waiting for the garage to fit me in to finally sort this out.

Might be a good time to do the one up test to check the status of your VCU, if it needs replaced now is the time to do it.
And before you even think about it DO NOT ask the garage to check it for you. Unless they are Landyzone fans (unlikely) or a VERY rare mechanic they won't have a clue.
Do a Landyzone search or just Google One wheel up test.

Freelander 1 Rubbing Noise

YamYam93

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marjon

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saxavordian

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Nodge68

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YamYam93

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YamYam93

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Alibro

Well-Known Member

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