Freelander 1 Yet more noises

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Alex1000

Active Member
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203
Location
Northern Ireland
Owning a Freelander, I get very paranoid when I get any hums, grinding or banging sounds.

She does not disappoint int that respect. Banging noise recently, on the brake testing and vibrating plate thingy equipment at work. Drop links to replace, and also looks like need to change 2 rear bushings on the trailing arms. Yet another weekend screwed.....

But this noise, I cant seem to narrow down or what it might be.

For the reference, note that rear brakes have been stripped down, new pins and springs where required, brake shoes perfect, drums perfect, new Driver Brake Piston replaced, Brakes bled, adjusted and set a few months ago, so all considered good and as should be.

1) When I turn the car either left or right while driving , I get a sound from the rear that is similar to brake pads/shoes binding. This goes away when steering wheel returns to straight ahead.

Not usually noticeable when driving, but very clear in car park at slower speeds.

I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. With recent works, I am ruling out rear brakes/shoes/drums.

Any one had similar or where I might start looking?

Also, just while I'm here, an existing hum I still cant be certain of cause.

2) When driving, under throttle. I am getting a hum from mid/rear of car. This disappears if I clutch and free wheel, or take throttle off.

Raised this previously and some say diff or carrier bearings... Any way of testing these if she was on a lift.?

She is due to get a clutch, fitted, when I can get a mechanic whos free,

Thanks

Alex
 
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Have you done a 1 wheel up test?

Tests new Freelander 1 owners should do on their car

Noises when turning are likely due to wheels/axles turning at different speeds. With a viscous coupling joining the front and rear axles, this will exert stress - how much depends on the health of the VCU and magnified by (seemingly small) differences between tyres.

If the stress is allowed to get to great, this can wear mounts (eg diff & VCU/prop) which can create thuds or continuous noise and can wear gears (eg diff & IRD).

So first check would be VCU health and ensure tyres are not mismatched, and the more worn of matching tyres are on the front.
 
Had done the 1 Wheel up test couple months ago, but think ill just do it again this weekend. All was well within required levels at the time. She is also wearing all new shoes, all at correct pressure.
 
I had a VCU propshaft bearing that caused a binding noise when turning. Prop is put under more load.



Simplest test is put it up in air on 2 post and run up to 20 or 30 MPH. Listen to bearing, use screwdriver on bearing and put ear to it.If not that then check wheel bearings by spinning wheels by hand and listening.
 
You said before you had someone check the VCU but it was pointed out that very few if any local garages have the first clue about VCU's, how they work or how to test them. They seem to think if all four wheels are turning then it is good which is the opposite of the truth. Unless the mechanic showed me the test being carried out I wouldn't trust them. And LR specialists seem to be as bad as any other mechanics in this respect.
The symptoms you describe are classic for a Freelander with a bad VCU.
A bad VCU (one that will destroy your drive train) will be over tight so that it does not allow the front and back halves of the prop shaft to rotate at different speeds when doing slow manoeuvres. This results in one of the rear wheels being dragged across the road during tight turns in carparks.
A quick and dirty test if you can't do the OWU test properly is to jack up the rear drivers side wheel, put a socket on one of the wheel nuts at around 3 O' Clock and push down. It should take some weight from you to make it budge but should turn slowly. If you can't turn the wheel at all you have a problem.
 
GrumpyGel said:
Have you done a 1 wheel up test?

Tests new Freelander 1 owners should do on their car

Noises when turning are likely due to wheels/axles turning at different speeds. With a viscous coupling joining the front and rear axles, this will exert stress - how much depends on the health of the VCU and magnified by (seemingly small) differences between tyres.

If the stress is allowed to get to great, this can wear mounts (eg diff & VCU/prop) which can create thuds or continuous noise and can wear gears (eg diff & IRD).

So first check would be VCU health and ensure tyres are not mismatched, and the more worn of matching tyres are on the front.
Click to expand...
Sorry, should have said it will wear the bearings... then the gears... which may or may not create noticeable noise... then create VERY loud banging!

Experience 'of a friend'. :rolleyes:
 
To be clear, I did the one wheel up test myself, 5Kg wights, 1.2m Bar, timed. All within the figures that are on here.

Going to do it again this weekend, it clearly might have gone since tested a few months ago. (But have only done about 2000 mile since tested)

I have a banging, but a test in companies garage by our mechanic, identified front drop links needed, as well as rear bushing son the trailing arms could do with replacing. Again, that's this weekends works planned.

So I'll do a 1 wheel up test, and see what that gets me. Going to also check the rear wheel bearings as a possible issue.
 
I’ll just throw this out there….
I took my td4 for a recon VCU a few months ago. A week before I went, I started to hear a sound a bit like worn brakes coming from the rear when I was driving slowly, so I added them to the list with the VCU work.

When they checked it all over for me, it was not the rear brakes but a worn centre bush on the rear diff.

Maybe this shows my complete lack of skill at LR mechanics (well, any mechanics really!), but maybe the fault sounds are actually similar. Worth checking.
 
Freddie17 said:
I’ll just throw this out there….
I took my td4 for a recon VCU a few months ago. A week before I went, I started to hear a sound a bit like worn brakes coming from the rear when I was driving slowly, so I added them to the list with the VCU work.

When they checked it all over for me, it was not the rear brakes but a worn centre bush on the rear diff.

Maybe this shows my complete lack of skill at LR mechanics (well, any mechanics really!), but maybe the fault sounds are actually similar. Worth checking.
Click to expand...
They're not really the 'center' bush (although they are more central than the other 2) - they are the 'front' bush/mount.

They don't need a failing diff to perish, they can go with a decent setup. The back ones are usually fine, but the front one does its job by itself and probably has to work a lot harder being where the prop connect to the diff.

Its interesting you thought it sounded like worn brakes. Normally its a thud or banging on acceleration (and probably slow cornering).
 
I’d describe it as a grating noise i heard, only at low speed as slowing (probably was there all the time but inaudible over engine load).
Certainly went away when the bush was replaced
 
Just to update, Replaced the front Drop links today, not a bang to be heard. Heaven.

Did the one wheel up test again. 1.2 m. 5KG Wights (from a dumbell) from 45 Deg to 90 Deg timed at 42, and 45 seconds.

20230610_170533.jpg



And yes, that in Pink Unicorn Duct tape...couldn't find mine, so don't judge me and don't tell the daughter.....

Also to clarify, Rear diff was replaced with a 2nd hand unit, that had been checked before fitting, and all new diff mounts. The VCU is existing but was refitted with new carrier bearings.

Tueday, I will be dropping her across to mechanic to do a test on rear bearings and , maybe, if he can , check the diff or find out where the hum and scobing sound is coming from, if its not the bearings.

I also have this issue, which is known, and planed for replacement when she gets a new clutch fitted.

Cover on the front of the drive shaft where it connects to IRD is off/lose. I have a spare one so just going to replace it.

Dont think its the cause of the hum or scobing, and noises from rear direction


20230602_204215.jpg
 
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I'd be very happy with those times so it looks like your VCU is in excellent condition.
How are your tyres? As GG said earlier any difference in tyre size/make/model will cause problems for any 4x4.
 
Alex1000 said:
Just to update, Replaced the front Drop links today, not a bang to be heard. Heaven.

Did the one wheel up test again. 1.2 m. 5KG Wights (from a dumbell) from 45 Deg to 90 Deg timed at 42, and 45 seconds.

View attachment 290276


And yes, that in Pink Unicorn Duct tape...couldn't find mine, so don't judge me and don't tell the daughter.....

Also to clarify, Rear diff was replaced with a 2nd hand unit, that had been checked before fitting, and all new diff mounts. The VCU is existing but was refitted with new carrier bearings.

Tueday, I will be dropping her across to mechanic to do a test on rear bearings and , maybe, if he can , check the diff or find out where the hum and scobing sound is coming from, if its not the bearings.

I also have this issue, which is known, and planed for replacement when she gets a new clutch fitted.

Cover on the front of the drive shaft where it connects to IRD is off/lose. I have a spare one so just going to replace it.

Dont think its the cause of the hum or scobing, and noises from rear direction


View attachment 290278
Click to expand...
Agree the VCU looks OK.

The broken bit on the prop, is that not the gaiter for the CV joint? I'd be wanting to replace that ASAP or else all the grease will be thrown from the CV and it will wear very quickly.
 
Alibro said:
I'd be very happy with those times so it looks like your VCU is in excellent condition.
How are your tyres? As GG said earlier any difference in tyre size/make/model will cause problems for any 4x4.
Click to expand...

As before, all new matching , less than 2000 Miles on then.

So for the ongoing hum/scobing at rear, gave up identifying and sending to a greater power (the mechanic)

Hopefully will have an idea by Wednesday.
 
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