Suspected IRD issue. Someone tell me I'm wrong!

Hi guys,

Small problem with moomin.
('03 TD4 freelander)

Tried to pull away from the drive this morning and heard a massive "bang" and car won't move. It's like the wheels are locked solid.

With plenty of revs I managed to reverse it into a position of safety (it will not move forward)

I haven't had chance to Jack it up and spin the wheels to see if it's a brake issue, but I'm guessing I don't need to as all these signs point to IRD in my book.

I guess I'm posting this on the off chance someone tells me I'm wrong, but I think it's time for me to start shelling out isn't it?

Cheers guys.

Probably is .. She should be ok in 2wd though if you take shaft out?

If you parked up for more than a few hours with damp brake shoes and pulled the handbrake on tight, it could well be your rear shoes binding to the drums. Happens on mine all the time when it's raining, so rely on leaving mine in Park when on the drive overnight, only using the handbrake when parked out and about.

Yeah, I'll try dropping the prop later. That was the next move I was thinking of.

I'm right in thinking these IRDs are expensive though aren't they?

I really could do with 4wd what with the snow forecast and all...

MoominTD4 said:

Yeah, I'll try dropping the prop later. That was the next move I was thinking of.

I'm right in thinking these IRDs are expensive though aren't they?

I really could do with 4wd what with the snow forecast and all...

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The IRD is expensive for a new or reconditioned unit. It's also not failed of its own accord. The VCU has most likely stiffened over time. This overloads the IRD and rear diff. Often the IRD fails first though. So you need to budget for a replacement IRD and a VCU.

Ok U R wrong

Yeah I thought so. I suspected the VCU had caused it.

I've just had a look at VCU and IRD prices...
...now I feel sick.

Maybe time to look at a different motor and see what I can get for this. If I can drive it FWD for a little while I may be able to save for the parts... I'll have to see...

Thanks for the replies folks.

IRDs usually fail by losing drive to the rear wheels. If your car won't move - that implies you've lost drive to all wheels.

That would imply gearbox or splines from gearbox to IRD - possibly the IRD has a catastrophic failure - ie the case has cracked.

Having said that, if you managed to move it backwards, then there is drive - so that implies the IRD/splines are intact.

When you try to move forwards - does it create a lot of noise? Is it manual/auto?

I agree with @NoDosh the rear drums do sieze, I don't leave the handbrake on after launching/retrieving my boat any more. They do make a very big bang when they free themselves - but once free, drive would be 'normal' - unless its taken out a CV or something, but even then you'd still have drive to the front wheels.

Well, looking at it further it's looking more like the rear diff.

Prop is off, but drive is there to front wheels as normal. Car still won't move when on the floor. I jacked the rear up and it appears the rear N/S is locked. It has a few degrees of rotation in either direction before it locks solid. I've checked drive shaft and both CV joints appear to be intact.

I hear what you're saying about brakes, but, the car was moving as normal when the enormous bang was heard and forward motion ceased. I was just going for second gear.
I'm unfortunately very familiar with locked brakes and with there being play in the wheels rotation and the fact the car was moving I'm 99% sure the brakes aren't the issue.

I've lost light now and have to work outside so it'll be tomorrow before I can strip down the rear N/S and confirm or deny a brake or drive shaft issue.

I'll update when I know more.

Oh and after inspection of the IRD (lying underneath with the prop off) it seems fine, the case is intact, all bone dry underneath and the pinion turns smoothly with no funny noises or roughness.

Small mercies I suppose...

The rear pinion on the IRD should not turn freely. With the car on the ground you should not be able to move it. With the front lifted, you might be able to turn it if the car is in neutral, but if you can one or more front wheels should also turn.

If it turns freely when the car in on the ground, then probably the pinion gear has been removed from the IRD to make it 2WD - ie no drive to the rear axle. That is the setup I'm currently running.

Sorry, I should've been clearer, the front was jacked up, it was in neutral and a wheel did turn. I didn't say 'freely' I said 'smoothly'

The pinion gear is there and prior to this ball ache 4wd was working perfectly. I've been up plenty of muddy hills and towed enough people out of fields to testify that.

sounds like rear brakes

jamesmartin said:

sounds like rear brakes

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How? When the car was moving and I was going for second gear?

MoominTD4 said:

How? When the car was moving and I was going for second gear?

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you said when you set off,anyhow easy enough to check diff rotates and if wheels do

Sounds like a rear drum seize to me. Especially if it's been wet or you've been thru water. It could have ripped the brake material off the shoe.

It does sound a little more severe than seized rear brakes, however...

I had a similar episode, and found that one of the spring clips that hold the shoes to the backing plate had come free and was jamming between the friction lining and the drum. Annoyingly, it would free itself for a bit, then do it again.

Pull the drums off!

Ye would nearly hope its the breaks/drums are the problem.. I'm dreading the day my ird or something like it goes!! Currently I take shaft out at around march and don't put it back til November...