what to do about rear dif binding noise??

So... after cambelt snapped 2 weeks into having my freelander and no warranty i've had a new engine, changed cambelt, aux drive belt, injection pump belt, new crank sensor, speedo sensor and new brakes and brake pipes all round... Now my next problem.. Which i was aware of before the new engine, the rear dif is binding when turning corners ... I have been through the threads on here and cant find much on what i can do (my best option) as i don't drive off road the local car parts place has told me just to disconnect the rear prop shaft, someone else has said that will cause the transfer box to fail, someone else has said reverse wheel spins to unwinde the dif... So now as im rather confused im hoping that one of you kind fellows with help me figure out my best option (and cheapest if possible) other than driving off a cliff....

My IRD blew a hole because of a faulty VCU

after replacing the IRD i have left the propshaft off until i can fix the VCU and being running 2wd mode for about 2 months now

there are a few members here that run in 2wd

are you sure its a diff fault and not a VCU fault... take the prop off and see if the problem goes away

Thanks for a quick reply, i only assumed it was the dif as a coughSuzukiVitaracough owner told me it was, im going to remove prop and see if the prob/noise goes, have just read up on testing the vcu so will try that don't know how long its been like it though! Don't fancy any more problems after all ive been through with it already! Thanks again

ive spent a fortune on mine since i bout it New years eve

4 new AT tyres
4 ABS sensors
4 Abs rings
ABS ECU
ABS Pump
IRD
VCU still to do
EGR- got rid as smoke filled the street
had to sort exhaust coz it was rotten where the bracket was

then the expensive of garage diagnostics before i bought the Hawkeye machine all this in 4 half months... wish i saves the money now and bought a different Land Rover lol

Oh dear sounds like your having lots of fun' just as much as me! This is my first landy' I've always had little cars saxo vtrs and pug106 gti etc and after spending nearly 2k to get my last pug 106 to make it road legal I thought it was time for something that isn't french! Always wanted a freelander as I think there a "pretty" landrover and as my dad is ex army engineer he was all for me getting one... now I think he wishes I got a disco or a defender as he's never worked on a freelander, its been a great father daughter project/bonding sesh but at his expense!
I've just disconnected the prop shaft minus one bolt which my puny girl arms can't undo but looking at the vcu there seems to be damage to the rear end of it, looks like damage to the rubber seal bit :s will have to wait til the old man is home from work for a bit of expertise!

at least someone else has the expense lol

altho this is the wife's car i see to work on it all the time and she has the comment what hers is mine... that comment comes out when something expensive breaks lol

take the prop and vcu off if your not going offroad it wont matter you will get better mpg and it will drive better

beerbelly said:

take the prop and vcu off if your not going offroad it wont matter you will get better mpg and it will drive better

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Totally inaccurate

taking the prop off and you will find it drives different, with four wheel drive it goes round corners better, with 2 wheel drive it will just be dragging the rear wheels round, and you must tell your insurance because if anything happens they can say you are not insured should they find out.

And in addition will not improve mpg

i have not noticed any MPG gain and yes it does feel different as said above. but at least the car still drives in 2wd

why people say 2wd is better i dnt no coz i prefer the 4wd it does feel like its being dragged about

yes just dragging the rear wheels around like every other front wheel drive car on the road lighter stearing better acceleration and a small increase in miles per gallon its a fact as for insurance its not a performance mod so wont hike your premium and as its not an mot fail point how can they refuse a claim.it doesent make the car unroadworthy

not designed to be driven in front wheel drive only. this makes it unstable and the front wheels tend to spin on quick accelerations, such as coming out of junctions.there is under steer toowhich can make cornering lively

how do i know this? cos i had mine in 2wd for 3 months when my vcu went, it drove awful and i didn't like the light steering either.
the insurance can also be invalidated as it is not being used as it was designed to be.


this has been covered so many times over the last few years............need to know more, do a search

foxieroxie08 said:

Thanks for a quick reply, i only assumed it was the dif as a coughSuzukiVitaracough owner told me it was, im going to remove prop and see if the prob/noise goes, have just read up on testing the vcu so will try that don't know how long its been like it though! Don't fancy any more problems after all ive been through with it already! Thanks again

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have you checked youre tyres? newest tyres or tyres with the largest circumfrance must go on the rear to prevent wind up