Squealing while driving

Hi All

Going on my hols on Tuesday for two weeks camping with Freelander & trailer. yesterday evening the FL1 has started squealing while driving - any thoughts?

The noise varies with speed only although it dioes seem too disappear below 30mph. Braking, pressing the clutch, changing gear or accelerating does not alter the noise other than varying with speed. Hope this description sounds ok.

Any help appreciated!

Regards

eekie

Check if it's a belt making the noise they can sometimes squeal

Thanks TF
Im hoping its a belt but dont think any of them vary with speed and they are usually run direct from the engine a motor. Hmm just thinking - could it be rad fan?

Is it running 4 wheel drive or front wheel drive? How many miles on it? Have you checked the VCU for stiffness recently?. Are the VCU bearings ok? Are the brake caliper slides free? And the pads good?
If the noise is speed related and not engine speed related, it's something on the drive train or braking system.

Thanks Nodge,
Running 4w and have 110k miles. Think the VCU is okay as car the car feels quite loose (in a good way) except when reversing full lock which from what I read is okay. Dont know if the VCO bearings are okay. Pads & discs done two months ago. Calipers were seized and needed lubed with copper grease. Will check it again tonight when I get home tonight.

Would you know if the ird/VCU will get very hot under normal use - as I can check when I get out the car.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

eekie

Not sure if it's the same noise but mine was squeeling until I lifted the hand brake a little then it stopped. Read online to pull hand brake up 1 notch then stamp on brake peddle 3 times. Sounded odd buy gave it a go. Now no noise. . Might be something completely different but may help.

I had an irritating squeak on the passenger side for years...........

Does anyone know where I am going with is?

Front rear diff mount can squeal when it gives up. Get under the rear and give it a wobble!
Mike

300AJC said:

I had an irritating squeak on the passenger side for years...........

Does anyone know where I am going with is?

Click to expand...

It was my first thought as well.......

Hi Smurph
Had the rear brake squeal before which stopped when the handbrake was gently applied. Just needed to clean up the rear drum and apply copper grease to the pivot points.

Mike I will have a look under tonight and check - may need to refer to manual to locate as not that familiar with this car in respect to diff mounts but should be fairly obvious.

AJC & Zdom - Very good it is usually my driving that causes the passenger squeals but were not in the car this time.

On way home last night not a peep from underneath. I did check the VCU & IRD temp by touch after a 10mile drive and these were not warm. Is this normal?

An aside question here - has everyone replaced the vcu and or ird? Mine is on 110k and bought at roughly 70k. white paint marks on vcu as though it was being checked or may be for alignment during works carried out but not sure. Have read quite a few of the posts regarding testing vcu and read with amusement the differences of opinion on what is a valid test. Would be useful to know if any one has looked at certain indications or test results that have led them to replace (or not) and been proven right or wrong.

Thanks

My VCU had begun to stiffen at 35K miles. For longevity of the IRD/ rear diff, I am running 2WD until funds allow me to replace the VCU.
The One Wheel Up test would appear to be the most valuable test on the VCU.

The wee freelander has grown on me quite a bit but the only thing that I dont like is the uncertainty of the condition/operation of the VCU and knock on effect on the rest of the drivetrain.

Do you think driving over softer terrain (say on the beach) would reveal any clues as to the state of operation of the drive system?

Softer terrain will hide the condition of the VCU as long as it hasn't failed "open" this I due to the greater likely hood of you needing 4wd on the sand.

to check if it is the belts squealing, while it is running spray them with water if it stops then you really need new belts as they are becoming laminated,