Oh Sh*t... Mine is a complete mess... Think I need to get inventive, and quickly.

Is the cradle there to support the tank or "protect" it ?

How much would you like for a set of the blanks?

Cool. At least Austen and Ken will at least experience the fault first hand. I must admit I was a tad embarrassed when they put the prop back on (with a new VCU) and nothing happened.

OK... quick sit rep. Changed IRD fluid, new drive shaft oil seal, replaced auto transmission fluid. Going really nicely, better now the fluids have been changed. No re-occurence of the br br br br br noise yet, even after a 200 mile round trip to the smoke and back. Most odd.

Lordy... Do you get bolognese with that :)

Hi Andy, Well I can touch the IRD without leaving my skin on it, but I wouldn't like to hold it for more that a second. Speaking with Ken on Thursday, he said that he'd come across some blocked IRD coolers. But they are sod to get at. I guess the only way to clear these coolers is to trace...

Well that's the thing.. as soon as the prop was dropped the noise went away completely. Now the prop is back on with a new VCU there is no recurrence of the vibration, so as you say "logic" says it must have been the something around VCU or bearings. But if the hanging weight test was ok...

Hi Andy, Well I wonder if the worn CV joint is having an affect? The Drive seal needs replacing on the same side as its leaking. Whether this sets up a vibration that transmits through the drive train? My IRD got so hot that Ken burnt his hand on it, hence I changed the oil in case there was...

IRD fluid changed. Stuff that came out looked a little 'iffy'. The sump plug had a nice crown of swarf on it too. Seems to be an oil leak of some kind near the inner CV joint, looks like some previous owner put some iffy gasket paste on at some point in its previous life. Well I've got a nice...

Hi All, Just reporting back on my visit to Bell yesterday. Ken and Austen re-tested the VCU and found no issues with the unit, but replaced it anyway. They also had a good look around the drive train, no major faults found but a) the inner CV joint had a bit of play in it and b) the IRD...

Thank you Gentlemen. Cheers, Paul

Hi Guys, I've noticed that sometimes my Freelander seems to be in too high a gear when going up hills. For example, a 30 mph hill and 30 seems to be on the cusp of 4th or 3rd but the box still sits in forth and you get a judder like it should be changing down. A quick dab on the throttle (or...

Hi Andrew, I'm booked in to see Ken and Austen on the 25th.. Will report back the results..

Naaaw Sugar!! Sorry that didn't help :(

I know its a totally different car but I had this same problem with my old C-Class 220 CDI. It would just go into limp-mode when you tried to give it some beans. Nothing on the ODB! Turned out that the cat-converter had 'broken down' and a ball of stuff had blocked the exhaust hence no boost...

Hi Andrew, Im going up to see Ken late next week early week after. Im sure that Bell will sort it all out. I'll keep you all posted.

Well I know my way up to you now :) Let me know a good time for you and I'll throw the propshaft (incl. VCU) in the boot and trot up to yours. Like I said it sounds and feels fine with the front & rear disconnected. Speak Soon.

Hi Austen, I think you'd better line up one of those nice shiny IRDs for me!

Well with a set of mole grips on one end and a fat screwdriver in the other end of the prop I can just about move it.. but it takes a lot of ummph to shift it. :) Would I say it was 'stiff', yes I would, but how stiff is it meant to be (Ooooherrrr Missus).