My Freelander 1 is 56 plate, approx. 75,000 miles. Last year, I took it to a well-known National Tyre Chain to have my winter tyres removed; and summer ones put on. I had two (old) summer ones in hand; and needed two new.
The National Tyre Chain fitted the two new tyres to the front axle. This I can prove as 1. The car was serviced the following day and depths were recorded (although the issue wasn’t noticed) and 2. I photographed them in situ five days later (when I noticed).
The day after the service, my wife drove to Devon (400m round trip) and complained about tyre noise at speed. When she returned, I drove it and the noise was like being in a Lancaster bomber.
Quickly became apparent that this was a result of the new tyres being on the front. I switched them all round; and much driveability was restored. There was, however, a grinding/ whining noise and – before I had a chance to have it properly inspected – the ‘front diff’ (according to the RAC man) failed. And the issue was confirmed in the workshop as an IRD failure.
I have been in correspondence the National Tyre Chain for nearly a year; and getting nowhere – largely because they barely reply or engage. Two letters and an email from them in 12 months, and I am now inclined to sue....
Latest situation is:
1. They deny fitting the new tyres to the front – not a leg to stand on there;
2. They deny that new tyres on the front can bring about IRD failure;
3. They say that the radii difference between the NSR and OSR tyres (see below) could have ‘wound up’ the ‘transfer box’ to failure point;
4. And as they weren’t the last garage to work on it, they are not responsible.
A more ‘cake and eat it’ denial of responsibility I can’t imagine.
As above, I can show they put the new tyres on the front; but I can’t prove it causes IRD failure – they are demanding official Land Rover documentation that it does.
I can find lots of garage sites that say it causes this problem. I can find lots of forums that say it does. I’ve got owners and workshop manuals stating ‘best/ new to rear’ when fitting tyres.
But not one piece of LR paperwork saying why new tyres shouldn’t go on the front; and what might happen if you do.
Is there one single bit of official LR Freelander paperwork – manual, guide, technical review, memoranda – I can wave under their noses to show that this error may result in this fault?
Otherwise, it’s all just hearsay...
And for info: the tyre measurements after their fitting were: OSF 888; NSF 878; OSR 444; NSR 777. Spare was 885.
Cheers,
Johnny.
The National Tyre Chain fitted the two new tyres to the front axle. This I can prove as 1. The car was serviced the following day and depths were recorded (although the issue wasn’t noticed) and 2. I photographed them in situ five days later (when I noticed).
The day after the service, my wife drove to Devon (400m round trip) and complained about tyre noise at speed. When she returned, I drove it and the noise was like being in a Lancaster bomber.
Quickly became apparent that this was a result of the new tyres being on the front. I switched them all round; and much driveability was restored. There was, however, a grinding/ whining noise and – before I had a chance to have it properly inspected – the ‘front diff’ (according to the RAC man) failed. And the issue was confirmed in the workshop as an IRD failure.
I have been in correspondence the National Tyre Chain for nearly a year; and getting nowhere – largely because they barely reply or engage. Two letters and an email from them in 12 months, and I am now inclined to sue....
Latest situation is:
1. They deny fitting the new tyres to the front – not a leg to stand on there;
2. They deny that new tyres on the front can bring about IRD failure;
3. They say that the radii difference between the NSR and OSR tyres (see below) could have ‘wound up’ the ‘transfer box’ to failure point;
4. And as they weren’t the last garage to work on it, they are not responsible.
A more ‘cake and eat it’ denial of responsibility I can’t imagine.
As above, I can show they put the new tyres on the front; but I can’t prove it causes IRD failure – they are demanding official Land Rover documentation that it does.
I can find lots of garage sites that say it causes this problem. I can find lots of forums that say it does. I’ve got owners and workshop manuals stating ‘best/ new to rear’ when fitting tyres.
But not one piece of LR paperwork saying why new tyres shouldn’t go on the front; and what might happen if you do.
Is there one single bit of official LR Freelander paperwork – manual, guide, technical review, memoranda – I can wave under their noses to show that this error may result in this fault?
Otherwise, it’s all just hearsay...
And for info: the tyre measurements after their fitting were: OSF 888; NSF 878; OSR 444; NSR 777. Spare was 885.
Cheers,
Johnny.
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