Freelander 2 diff and Haldex

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Landynewbie35

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Hi I bought a freelander 2 2011 it’s hse 190bhp. After about a month I could hear what I assumed was a bearing noise and also the steering kind of felt like tracking issue on both sides. Took it to garage rear diff gone and possible problem with both front Haldex units. I’ve wanted a Land Rover for years and now I’m massively regretting it! How do they even hold so much value if they are so unreliable? The 4x4 specialist who’s doing repairs laughed at me when I said I bought one coz I thought it would be reliable, said should of got a vw . How come the diff and these Haldex units are so **** poor? Never even been driven off road and can’t handle normal road use. Feeling gutted. It’s covered under warranty luckily! Is there anything I should watch out for? I’m assuming I don’t want them to just service and repair the units? Should I insist on having new units fitted and where do I stand on this? I don’t want it all happening again next year. Plus how easy is it to replace the fluid or at what mileage should that be done etc
 
Front Haldex unit? There is only one and its between the propshaft and rear diff. Not aware of many recurring faults on 2011 freelanders, make sure you keep the servicing up to scratch.
 
that's unfortunate, the only reason the diff and the haldex, (there is only one at the rear) would have gone is poor maintenance by the previous owner. I have a 2010/11 sd4 (190bhp) (made dec 2010 sold 2011) owned it for nearly two years brought as a LR okayed vehicle (don't know what you call it in English been in Sweden too long). At 2011 your coming up to the 10 year big service, just renewed the oil and filter today in my haldex, changed the transmission oil in auto box last week, next week is the cam belt, water pump, etc then it should be good for the next 200k. But I will be changing my oils every 20k. Love the car, takes me through meters of snow, at - 35c doesn't miss a beat. Not sure what the guy is saying about the front haldex as there isn't one there. There is a vcu that will fail if the diff and haldex has gone, possibly also the bearings on the prop shaft. Yes get new ones unless they get recon ones from a reputable firm.(there is one everyone keeps on shouting about begins with a B but can't recall the name at the moment, some will put me right) All this is probably caused by mismatched tires, or replacing two tires and putting the new ones on the front. Freelander 2 is a brilliant car and said to be the most reliable of all Landrovers but like any vehicle VW's included if you don't look after them they will bite you back. Get the car fixed under warranty (clever you for getting that), look after it and it will repay you with years of pleasant motoring. Down load the rave manual from on this website (somewhere :) ) read up on your car and enjoy it.
 
A degree of unreliability is all part of the "joys" of owing a Land Rover. Seriously though the FL2 is generally pretty good, and probably the most reliable LR made. Unfortunately it does have issues, mostly related to the Haldex and diff, or some of the electronics.

The original rear diff was made of cheese, and most failed very early in the vehicle's life, so were replaced under warranty. After about 2009/10 a stronger rear diff was fitted at the factory, but problems do still occur occasionally.
The Haldex is generally very reliable, providing it's serviced, and is fitted to many makes of AWD, vehicles, including VW, Volvo and Ford (on which platform the Freelander 2 sits).
 
that's unfortunate, the only reason the diff and the haldex, (there is only one at the rear) would have gone is poor maintenance by the previous owner. I have a 2010/11 sd4 (190bhp) (made dec 2010 sold 2011) owned it for nearly two years brought as a LR okayed vehicle (don't know what you call it in English been in Sweden too long). At 2011 your coming up to the 10 year big service, just renewed the oil and filter today in my haldex, changed the transmission oil in auto box last week, next week is the cam belt, water pump, etc then it should be good for the next 200k. But I will be changing my oils every 20k. Love the car, takes me through meters of snow, at - 35c doesn't miss a beat. Not sure what the guy is saying about the front haldex as there isn't one there. There is a vcu that will fail if the diff and haldex has gone, possibly also the bearings on the prop shaft. Yes get new ones unless they get recon ones from a reputable firm.(there is one everyone keeps on shouting about begins with a B but can't recall the name at the moment, some will put me right) All this is probably caused by mismatched tires, or replacing two tires and putting the new ones on the front. Freelander 2 is a brilliant car and said to be the most reliable of all Landrovers but like any vehicle VW's included if you don't look after them they will bite you back. Get the car fixed under warranty (clever you for getting that), look after it and it will repay you with years of pleasant motoring. Down load the rave manual from on this website (somewhere :) ) read up on your car and enjoy it.
Thank you for that mate! It does indeed have mismatched tyres the dealer had probably swapped the front to back or just replaced 2! They have agreed to sort it out. The garage I took it to say the rear diff is gone. But they did say that there is a Haldex unit that had something to do with the front steering issue? So I assumed I need 2? My mistake. So I need matching tyres a rear diff and Haldex unit all new. And should be ok? Is there any other issues that could of occurred? The camber on the back wheels looks weird like a lowered euro style vw
 
Sorry you've had problems but as both replies above suggest, previous maintenance is paramount. Regular servicing of the Haldex (there is only one bolted to the front of the rear diff and certainly no VCU on a FL2) would probably have saved the diff. I think most suggest a filter and fluid change in the Haldex every 20k miles. It's often overlooked and puts excessive stress on the diff resulting in expensive damage.
The same Haldex unit is fitted to 4wd VAG cars, so to suggest buying a VW as an alternative is daft in my opinion. If the maintenance has not been carried correctly, it doesn't matter what marque you drive.
The FL2 is great car, get the maintenance up to date and enjoy!!
 
Thank you for your reply. I will keep it maintained after this work is done! It’s at 80k would you recommend me having the transmission fluid done soon? It’s got FSH so would of assumed these things were up to date. I do love it tbh so comfy and nice to drive until this. One other thing I have noticed is that there seems to be some fumes or steam coming from the front end sometimes or all the time I’m not 100% sure.
 
There are people on here far more knowledgeable than me but I would try a service of the Haldex before I replaced it. Think fluid and filter cost around £60.
Not sure about the diff!!
 
that's unfortunate, the only reason the diff and the haldex, (there is only one at the rear) would have gone is poor maintenance by the previous owner. I have a 2010/11 sd4 (190bhp) (made dec 2010 sold 2011) owned it for nearly two years brought as a LR okayed vehicle (don't know what you call it in English been in Sweden too long). At 2011 your coming up to the 10 year big service, just renewed the oil and filter today in my haldex, changed the transmission oil in auto box last week, next week is the cam belt, water pump, etc then it should be good for the next 200k. But I will be changing my oils every 20k. Love the car, takes me through meters of snow, at - 35c doesn't miss a beat. Not sure what the guy is saying about the front haldex as there isn't one there. There is a vcu that will fail if the diff and haldex has gone, possibly also the bearings on the prop shaft. Yes get new ones unless they get recon ones from a reputable firm.(there is one everyone keeps on shouting about begins with a B but can't recall the name at the moment, some will put me right) All this is probably caused by mismatched tires, or replacing two tires and putting the new ones on the front. Freelander 2 is a brilliant car and said to be the most reliable of all Landrovers but like any vehicle VW's included if you don't look after them they will bite you back. Get the car fixed under warranty (clever you for getting that), look after it and it will repay you with years of pleasant motoring. Down load the rave manual from on this website (somewhere :) ) read up on your car and enjoy it.
Cheers
 
Thank you for that mate! It does indeed have mismatched tyres the dealer had probably swapped the front to back or just replaced 2!
LR don't specify, but really all AWD vehicles should have identical tyres all round, or the AWD system is having to fight wheels rotating at different speeds. This will cause more rapid wear of the AWD system.
They have agreed to sort it out. The garage I took it to say the rear diff is gone. But they did say that there is a Haldex unit that had something to do with the front steering issue
The steering issue isn't anything to do with the Haldex. What is the steering issue?

So I assumed I need 2? My mistake. So I need matching tyres a rear diff and Haldex unit all new.
You really need 4 identical tyres, so you only need to get 2 that match the best ones you're going to keep.
The camber on the back wheels looks weird like a lowered euro style vw
That doesn't sound right.
 
There are people on here far more knowledgeable than me but I would try a service of the Haldex before I replaced it. Think fluid and filter cost around £60.
Not sure about the diff!!
Yes but it’s warranty work so I’m going to try to push for a proper fix and then I’ll keep up to date on maintenance. I certainly enjoy the landy my favourite part is the heated seat warms up so so quick
 
LR don't specify, but really all AWD vehicles should have identical tyres all round, or the AWD system is having to fight wheels rotating at different speeds. This will cause more rapid wear of the AWD system.

The steering issue isn't anything to do with the Haldex. What is the steering issue?


You really need 4 identical tyres, so you only need to get 2 that match the best ones you're going to keep.

That doesn't sound right.
The steering seems to wander left and right only very slightly so at first I assumed it would just be tracking issue
 
The steering seems to wander left and right only very slightly so at first I assumed it would just be tracking issue
It shouldn't do that. But it could be down to multiple factors. If it's stuck in 4WD then the front and back will be fighting, which would cause the steering to tug. It could also be tracking, tyres, bushes and a multitude of other things.
 
It shouldn't do that. But it could be down to multiple factors. If it's stuck in 4WD then the front and back will be fighting, which would cause the steering to tug. It could also be tracking, tyres, bushes and a multitude of other things.
/\ wot he said!

If the 4WD/AWD system is binding/tight this will create wind up like running a 'traditional' 4WD with the center diff locked - you can't steer them properly in that condition either - so you quite likely won't have a steering problem.

What you need to do though is questionable. The tyres absolutely need fixing - mismatched tyres are a definite no-no. It is possible that that is the only problem - but you'd be lucky if it was unless its only been like it for a short time.

It may be that the Haldex is 'OK' and just needs a service - however, if it is faulty and ultimately does need to be replaced, that would be wasted.

With the tyres and Haldex fixed, there might not be an issue with the diff. I'd be checking the oil in the diff. If there's metallic flecks in it or it looks greyish, the the diff is toast, if the oil looks OK then it will have escaped damage and is OK.

So if it was my car, I'd sort out correct tyres, check oil in the diff and service the Haldex before I then spent big on recon diff and Haldex.

However, as you have a warranty it may be better just to get the parts replaced. However, you want to make sure they are replaced with new or good quality reconditioned parts or else you would be better with what you have!
 
If there is a Haldex problem, the dash would normally show a message 'transmission fault - reduced traction' and the Haldex would be disengaged, putting the car in to 2WD.
 
Anyone know where to get a service kit from? Mine was done 25k back and cost a packet.
Good advice is all the same tyres with all correct pressures on any 4x4
 
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