Vibration after removing propshafts

Hi all,
I have removed the rear wheel drive components from my 2000 X reg freelander (XEDi). This after my garage pointed out that the damper on the vcd was coming apart and reading about the vcd seizing and destroying the diff etc. The car drives well, feels lighter on the steering and handles as always. However a vibration is felt at 35 mph under power i.e uphill, which dissapears as speed increases. Can any one advise on the effect of refitting the front prop and support bearing assemblies to damp out this effect.

All the best,

Sam

Rave is quite specific and says that both prop shafts and VCU should be removed as an integral unit.
If you want to replace the front section then you must also replace the VCU since the splines on this give the alignment for the universal joint on the shaft.
Perhaps others who are running their vehicles in 'mondo' mode could comment on their experiences.

Many thanks for that Vic. I had thought that the extra mass of the front prop might damp out the vibration. Has anybody else had experience of this problem and found a solution. I really don't want to throw too much more money at the beast, rather buy something else with prices as they are today.

I have the same model, and also removed the drivetrain (front and rear propshafts and VCU). I have a similar shudder, but it was there from the day I bought the vechicle. Removing the propshaft (2 years later) made no difference to this. I experience this shudder just below 60 km/h (35 mph) in 4th gear and it dissapears as speed increases. If I drive in 3rd up a hill, from slow and picking up speed, there is no shudder. It just seems as if the engine takes strain at these revs when going up a hill in 4th.

The 1.8 models have a torsional vibration damper (TVD) fitted to the VCU. This reduces torsional oscillations which are super-imposed on to the normal rotaion of the prop shaft.
This is not fitted to TD4 models but I do not have information about the earlier diesel. Can anyone else confirm if a TVD is fitted on these?
The need for a TVD shows that there are some vibration issues and that engine inertia is critical. One would have thought the VCU might help to minimise oscillations.

Sorry for the delay Vic,
Yes there is a TVD fitted and this would appear to be the source of the problem. Do you think that refitting all but the rear prop shaft would cure the problem ?.

You initially reported that the damper on the VCU was 'coming apart'. I dont think re-fitting this would be a good idea.
Can you tell where the vibes are coming from? Are they under your feet (IRD) or from the rear diff?
It doesn't mean that either are failing, just that they are resonating torsionally due to lack of connection.

As the damper is in the middle of the prop. shaft I would have thought it is to damp vibrations caused by the prop. shaft. If the shaft is removed it can't cause any vibrations so the damper won't be needed.

I am having similar problems and am investigating a fix. Recommend you check the front drive shaft joints and the front wheel bearings, particularly the on-side one. I suspect your problem maybe there. Removing your prop has shift 100% drive to these shafts and if there is any play its begining to show up.

According to LR only about 8% of power goes to the back wheels unless a front one spins, so you are almost driving a front wheel drive car even with the rear prop. shaft connected.

Thanks Vic,

The vibrations are coming from the front end and reverberate quite strongly at 35 mph in fourth gear, particularly under power up hill. Faureb's post describes it precisely. I may re fit the front shaft and VCU (with a replacement damper) and see what happens.
Happy new year

Sam

It will be interesting to see if it makes a difference..... please let us know. However I had the problem before removing the propshaft, so eliminated that. I thought maybe an engine mounting that is starting to go... I was planning to check the mountings out but am on crutches at the moment... so will probably ask for it to be checked when I have her serviced at an indepenedant Landrover specialist in about a months time.