Centre diff bearing fault?

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LeadFarmer

LeadFarmer

Well-Known Member
Posts
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Location
Yorkshure
I live over on the Defender section but Im posting this on behalf of a family member.

Their 58MY FL2 with 85k miles has a worn centre diff bearing. Apparantly this is a common fault that LR are aware of and the diff will need replacing if its not repairable. Both options are quite expensive and the diff needs to be sent away for inspection.

Have many members here had the same problem?
 
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Not many fl2 members on here.......
But yes it has come up that there was a problem with a crap batch of bearings for the diff.
Some stealers said replacing bearing was the way forwards whilst others said whole diff was needed.
You could try contacting Austin at bell engineering as I think he was looking into this problem.
Also if vissie is about he knows quite a lot about this fault.
 
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I'm assuming by centre diff bearing, your referring to the issue with the rear differential pinion bearing?

The quality concern is that of the rear differential, pinion bearing race picking up and causing a diff noise.

If so, the noise will be noticeably from the rear of the vehicle.



Included a little info below.







If that isn't the concern, let me know and i'll look into it for you :)
 
LeadFarmer,
I know of another FL2 owner, with around the same mileage as yours. Has had his diff repaired once, the second time replaced.
Not had any issues with my diff yet (touch wood). I own an 58 td4s with 67k. Needs new front wheel bearing now & had some other issues over the last 8 months of ownership.
 
Thanks. To be honest im not sure if its the rear diff? My relative thought it sounded like a worn wheel bearing, but was diagnosed as the diff.
 
My front bearing, sounds like a typical bearing. I'm 90% sure it is the bearing. Having it replaced next week from an indie. Comes with the front hub & of OEM quality, £230 all in. Not that I'm impressed by a wheel bearing lasting around 5 years & covered 67k. I keep away from the dealers, as much as possible.
Is your relative having it sorted at the dealers? I have seen new diffs available for the FL2 for around £500 on ebay (genuine) + fitting. Diff repair kits £100+.
 
Well, rear diffs are common as hell in the above vin range. Wheel bearings aren't anywhere near so, but not unheard of.

The above poster also mentioned the uprated bearings being fitted once, then the entire differential being replaced on the second time. I would say that as with any mechanical job, its an art form. Someone could replace the bearings, but do a poor job or carrying out the correct adjustments, or be lazy in terms of cleaning out any swarf or a number of things. The replacement of the pinion bearing and race are generally considered good fix.

If you own a decent set of axle stands , you could just free wheel it and run it up, check for yourself. Wouldn't be much of a job at all.
 
Vissie,
Do you think changing the rear diff oil may help to prevent premature failure?
My diff OK. FL2 is a 58 with 67K. Owner’s manual states 10 years or 100k oil change. Thinking about a bit of preventative maintenance.
Cheers.
 
The work is being done at an independent LR garage. My relative is happy enough to just let them do the work, so no problems there. I was really posting for my own curiosity, I wasn't sure if it was a problem that lots of FL2 owners had suffered from, or whether my relative was just unfortunate?
 
Vissie said:
I'm assuming by centre diff bearing, your referring to the issue with the rear differential pinion bearing?

The quality concern is that of the rear differential, pinion bearing race picking up and causing a diff noise.

If so, the noise will be noticeably from the rear of the vehicle.



Included a little info below.







If that isn't the concern, let me know and i'll look into it for you :)
Click to expand...
Hi There.
Just joined this forum whilst searching about diff issues. Mine has started a severe droning/whining noise from the rear and sounds very much like the issue you described. Sounds expensive? I assume this isnt a recall issue?
Any assistance appreciated
Dave
 
This is a quality concern issue.


Technical Bulletins are issued when there is a concern that JLR are aware of and want to make the correct level of repair known. Before this bulletin was issued the correct level of repair was a differential assembly replacement, now a low level repair is available.

If your vehicle was under warranty then it would be covered. If it is out of warrant, it wont be covered, as the fault is not subject to a recall or quarantine notice.



It depends on your definition of expensive. As far as repairing Land Rover's goes , its not exactly expensive. I think the repair is around 3.2hours + parts, so not cheap either.
 
davepoynt said:
Hi There.
Just joined this forum whilst searching about diff issues. Mine has started a severe droning/whining noise from the rear and sounds very much like the issue you described. Sounds expensive? I assume this isnt a recall issue?
Any assistance appreciated
Dave
Click to expand...
Hi Thanks for reply
Pretty sure this is the issue. Any idea of cost of getting this sorted out? Seems like a design/manufacturing problem really
 
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