rumbling

hi all. posted earlier about rumbling coming from underneath my 1.8 w. reg f.l and was thinking that it might be the propshaft. has anyone noticed this on theirs and have they removed it to make it a 2 wheel drive and if so is there a guide on here on how to do it? i dont have axle stands but have got ramps. cheers

You can remove the prop and VCU using ramps with no problem, I found it easier to reverse onto the ramps as this gave me more room. I ran on 2wd for a couple of months without any problems, didn't find any real decrease in fuel consumption as I tended to drive off faster. You will probably find increased acceleration and even front wheel spin in 2wd, some people don't mind this but others do. You need to notify your insurer if you intend to stay with 2wd as this is classed as a modification. Rear drive train noise could be faulty VCU centre bearings, Diff pinion bearing failure or IRD failure, both of the latter usually caused by a failed VCU.

so do you think removing them will cure the prob or might i be looking at a more expensive fix? cheers

i had this back in june and have removed my propshaft, runs fine now and reckon get better fuel consumption!! got a mate to take it off for me and it took him about 45 minutes and cost me a beer!!!

Removing the rear drive train, propshafts and VCU, will only eliminate any noise from the VCU centre bearings, diff pinion bearing and IRD output shaft bearing (once the propshafts have been removed the IRD and Diff are no longer under load so any noise should be reduced)

ive had a look on freelander spares uk and they do a kit to turn it into a 2wheel drive and very cheap as well with full fitting instructions. is it worth giving this a go?

You don't need a kit! Just take prop and VCU off - job done.

As angeloc says no need to blank off the IRD output flange as it's just a pretty mod.

cool. will give it a go and see if this cures it. im not taking it off road so dont really need the 4x4 and i think mines the really base model do i dont even have the hill decent switch so it should be just as happy in 2 wheel drive.

Might also be handy to keep 4wd easily available if the snow comes again.

the blanking plate is NOT just apretty mod, you have to remove the pinion and fit the plate as the ird unit is still driving the output pinion which can damage crown and pinon on ird if worn

clems123 said:

the blanking plate is NOT just apretty mod, you have to remove the pinion and fit the plate as the ird unit is still driving the output pinion which can damage crown and pinon on ird if worn

Click to expand...

I agree with Clems

also has anyone considered that it may be the diff thats causing the problem, that won't go away taking the prop off.

clems123 said:

the blanking plate is NOT just apretty mod, you have to remove the pinion and fit the plate as the ird unit is still driving the output pinion which can damage crown and pinon on ird if worn

Click to expand...

IF the IRD crown wheel and pinion are damaged then I would agree that removing the pinion would be the way to go if you no longer required 4 wheel drive but I would prefer to keep the option easily available of reverting back to 4 wheel drive. If there is nothing wrong with the IRD why fit the blanking plate ? certainly not for safety or MOT reasons.

Why have it sat there freewheeling if you don't intend on using it.
At the end of the day it's personal preference, i'd take it off.

But having said that I would buy a two wheel drive car if I wanted two wheel drive.:behindsofa: