The 2wd fuel economy experiment!

willh said:

It was removed by the previous owner, or at least by the specialist he used in Edinburgh. He allowed me to speak to the mechanic directly to confirm the car's history etc and I'm confident it was only removed to save fuel (just being used as their family car around town).

I'd like to try green lanes/off roading though so she's going back on!

How do I ensure the brackets are lined up with the prop? The mounting holes are elongated in the front-back direction but there's no room for movement side to side. Is the best way to re-install to loosely install the centre brackets, tighten both ends of the prop correctly into place then nip up the centre's last?

Click to expand...

The brkts need to be at right angles to the prop or you will put too much load on the bearings, with the elongated holes it's easy to adjust correctly.

Excellent - makes sense yeah!

I'll report back once it's fitted up. Hopefully with all 4 wheels driving!

Fitted the rear prop up back yesterday by the mechanic who removed it after last winter. He assures me it was only removed to save fuel and seemed a nice genuine guy.

Def something up however - there's a clunk when I change gear (told that's just the rear diff mount bush), there's a rattling/vibration sometimes when in too low a gear (don't think it's the exhaust, could be the diff shuddering as the bush is worn) and I suspect a shagged VCU as it's very tight when doing full lock slow parking.

After having read various threads on here regarding these common issues, I'm looking at a recon VCU from Bell Engineering (£200) and replacement diff bushes from Freelandersparesuk (£35). Will both of these be easy enough to fit (I'm an average home mechanic but only have ramps to lift it) or will it be best taken to a garage for better access and specialist tools required etc?

Test yer vcu as per the video below, to see whats it's like. Time it 45 degrees to the horizontal. Start it turning just before 45 degrees to take up the slack in the transmission first.

If replacing the vcu ask bell to fit some new bearings on the vcu - think they will offer anyways.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/freelander-rear-diff-mount-replacement-how-guide-101774.html

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/freelander-1-vcu-bearing-replacement-how-guide-156068.html

Changing the VCU on rear ramps is not too difficult, eight bolts (torx head) on the front prop and four bolts (torx head) on the diff, four 10mm headed bolts on the two centre bearings and the drive train can be removed. I removed the prop bolts first (you will have to turn the rear wheels to enable removal of the diff flange bolts) and then support the centre bearing brkts by hand and lower the VCU by hand to the floor. Loosen the VCU bolts after knocking back the locking tabs and remove the wedges. Screw out the VCU bolts and using a wedge (large tapered chisel) remove the props from the VCU.
Haynes have a very good manual for both Freelanders and explain in greater detail if you would prefer more info. Bell have nil stock of bearings at the moment and are closed for their annual hols.

Thanks very much for the advice. I'll give the test a go and will try and pick up a Haynes for if (when!) things go pop in the future!