Freelander 2 rear diff problems

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There is an issue with the rear diffs on these. LR Tech Service Bulletin LTB342 cover this.

Diffs have been a weak point on all the later model vehicles at some time or another - Puma Defenders/L319/L320 and the L322.
 
WSLR said:
There is an issue with the rear diffs on these. LR Tech Service Bulletin LTB342 cover this.

Diffs have been a weak point on all the later model vehicles at some time or another - Puma Defenders/L319/L320 and the L322.
Click to expand...

be interesting to read that bulletin, what does it say?

thanks
 
WSLR said:
There is an issue with the rear diffs on these. LR Tech Service Bulletin LTB342 cover this.

Diffs have been a weak point on all the later model vehicles at some time or another - Puma Defenders/L319/L320 and the L322.
Click to expand...


I have owned a Freelander 2 for 3 months the diff bearings have just gone at 19,000 miles
 
Bulletin says : Land Rover made ****ty pinion bearings and races. They have made better ones now , go buy them and get them fitted :)


Its 99% of the time the fault , the new bearings thus far have been reliable , i would definately get someone who knows what they are doing to replace them. The Haldex's make it slightly more difficult a job than a standard 2 or 4 pin traktor diff would be to overhaul.
 
Last month noticed a droning noise comming from back.... LR replaced whole diff , now its re appeared, going in next week for another look, luckily on warenty, current milage = 14000 mls. 60 reg.!!
 
Hi Austen
I have a Freelander 2 on an 09 plate with 38k miles and have just been advised by a main dealer that my rear diff needs replacing. The droning noise started over a week ago and quickly became very loud. The LR sales rep told me their head office are aware there is a problem with this part and have circulated guidance to all dealers on how to fix it. Luckily this is covered by warranty which runs out in 6 weeks, otherwise it would have been expensive!
 
Hi guys. New to the forum so a big hello. I've been reading this thread with interest. I have a 08 plate FL2 with nearly 90k miles. Been experiencing a 'drone' from the rear of it for a couple of months now. Seems to only really be noticeable over 35mph. Driving on the motorway it is very loud! Took it to a main dealer and they are telling me it needs a new rear diff bearing. I also spoke to a local independent landrover specialist and they say that in their experience, the whole rear diff should be replaced. I noted the mention in this thread about the Haldex firmware update and the independent garage said that they will do this and that also, (again in their experience) the new bearing will probably not last long before it starts making a noise again even with the firmware update.... SO...... I have the main dealer telling me just to have the bearing changed and the indy garage telling me whole diff...... I'm not in warrenty so pretty expensive either way although the bearing change is obviously significantly cheaper than a new diff. Anyone got any advice? Preferably from someone who has 'been there'!

I also have a power steering issue (wheel 'sticks' for really short periods especially noticeable at low speed and from stationery). I have found out that this also appears to be a known fault. I changed the fluid reservoir and put new fluid in and this has not fixed it. Main dealer has given me a price of £400 odd to change the steering rack. Also complained directly to Landrover about all the issues and they have offered 25% of the total cost to fix the lot if I go to a main dealer. Trying to work out now whether to go to the main dealer or the indy!
 
Also keep in mind with a main dealer you will get a 1 year parts and labour warrenty.

If the diff pinion bearing overhaul is done properly, ive not seen a reoccurance of it, not sure if anyone else has?

With your steering issue , if it still whines. Did you flush out the fluid , or just try and drain it. LR recommend a 4litre flush through the system to clear all the crap out before fitting the new reservoir.
 
My FL2 diff started howling at just 1,400 miles from new ! & three weeks old ! and on holiday in the Alps !
power steering went at 17000 miles.
too much else to list

Im also looking to the future & it wont be a Landrover
 
Hi All
I purchased a May 2007 Freelander 2 Td4 in May 2010 from a main dealer which had done 30k miles. It has now done 80k miles and about 2 months ago it developed a humming noise from the rear end which gradually got louder. I took it into the dealer who wanted to check it out for a price, so I took it to a specialist 4x4 who immediately identified differential problems and required replacement. Because of costs I decided to take it back to the dealer who then checked it out and confirmed diff problems but declaried a partial diff change. Due to the lower cost I decided to go with the dealer BUT whilst in for reapir was informed the wear was worse than 1st thought and a complete new diff was required. I reluctantly agreed. The refit took a week!
Within a week after the repair i noticed a different noise when I accelerated from stationary and turning right - a clunking noise, which disappeared quite quickly.
Having reported it to the dealer it is now back in their workshop. I have now been informed that they want to replace the Haldex system - another £1500. No warrantees apply.
So, from an original partial diff replacement at £550 I am now being expected to swallow a bill of over £3000!
Has anyone else had similiar experiences and is it reasonable to expect the dealet workshop not to have noticed the Haldex problem when they were replacing the diff. Or am I being stitched up?!
Comments will be appreciared please.
 
Its a known issue, hundreds of rear diffs have been changed under warranty and the haldex unit gets reflashed to change the characteristics to hopefully stop it happening again. The post 09 freelanders had an uprated rear diff fitted (larger bearings) and the haldex until changed for the later version. Your dealer should have known about the haldex reflash when they fitted the new diff
 
austen said:
Its a known issue, hundreds of rear diffs have been changed under warranty and the haldex unit gets reflashed to change the characteristics to hopefully stop it happening again. The post 09 freelanders had an uprated rear diff fitted (larger bearings) and the haldex until changed for the later version. Your dealer should have known about the haldex reflash when they fitted the new diff
Click to expand...


I'm curious if you could be more specific about the haldex reflash , as im unaware of it. All the other information you stated is correct as far as I know and I know that if you install a new haldex it needs the software reflash, as they are uprated units (gen 3 to gen 4 iirc).

The only reason for haldex reflash that I can think of was for drive flare/slip causing the autoboxes to splode!
 
Hi. I've been reading this thread with interest. I have a Freelander2 59 plate which has done 43K of on road driving. As with Silverley I have had a clunk when turning right and also then the amber warning light with triangle and circular arrow around, followed by engine going into safe mode. This resets when you stop and restart the engine. Now....about a few weeks after this started the rear diff is making a noise. Local independent land rover garage say there is scum in the diff oil and the diff has basically had it (as he said - not surprising when you basically have a Volvo car diff in a 4WD) - I presume bearings have failed. Does anyone know if all these symptoms point not only to diff bearing failure, but also Haldex failure as per Silverley's issue? Also when I spoke to the mechanic at the main dealer he was instantly aware of the diff problem.
Either way I am also not a happy camper as my warranty ran out 6 months ago.
Really LR should recall FL2 pre 2010 models given that they know these have poorer quality diff bearings and are likely to fail - this should not be something that owners should have to pay out on.......
Anyway - will be into main dealer this week for them to test drive - so we'll see how it goes.
Comments appreciated
Cheers
 
In reguards to the Haldex, they have 2 filters. One main filter in the top and a gauze on the pump itself. I've seen cases where the pump has failed due to excessive build up of sludge.

I don't think there is a service schedule either in reguards to changing haldex oil or filters. Land Rover seem to think its sealed for life unit, in terms of oil changes.
 
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