Freelander 1 suspect my IRD is close to death

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openfold

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84
Location
Fareham, Hampshire
So its as the title suggests. I think my IRD is almost dead. My car is an 02 td4 with 152000 miles on and it had the original, knackered VCU on it until 142000 miles (When I bought it). The old VCU took the rear diff out with it and now I'm suspecting it did damage to the IRD too.

It didn't have any symptoms until recently when a knock or clunk became apparent, I can feel this knock in my feet but at first it wasn't so bad. I replaced the ball joints, drop links, arb mounts, a strut top, and the off side drive shaft to rule out any of these, all of this needed replacing anyway so I wasn't too upset about doing it. The knock is still there though and after doing the driveshaft it seems more intense. The knock is only there when either accelerating from a stop or putting your foot down in lower gears, or when backing up.

I changed the oil in the IRD during a clutch change in october and it looked like the magnetic drain plug had an afro so that points to some damage but it was ok for a while. Also, it looks like the driveshaft is loose in it. Its fully seated where it needs to be but it seems like there is a collapsed bearing. Has anyone else had symptoms like this or can confirm its my IRD? I have a new one ready to fit as it came up at a good price, just looking for some closure before I get under the car to either replace the IRD or get really angry trying to replace it. Thanks in advance
 
If the VCU has already trashed the rear diff, then it's highly likely that the IRD is goosed too. It might be save able with a bearing kit, but if you have another, keep the noisy one for rebuilding later on.
 
Check your lower right engine mount too

i should have said, i did replace that mount with a silicone one. i completely forgot about that

thanks for the replies, once the old one is out ill dissect it and see what shape its in. Quite scared of looking actually haha. Depending on how bad it is i might rebuild it as its not too expensive for bearings and swap it back in but as long as the used one i have is ok i might not bother.
 
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