Freelander 4x4 noise in the rear

I just bought a freelander for my wife to kick around in here on the island and I am hearing more noise in the rear end than I think is normal. Here is the problem, I am in Curacao (tiny island no rover dr here) soi am going to have to tackle this on my own. Are there any common failures that I should look out for? Anyone know a good trouble shooting plan other than ripping the whole thing appart? Do these just make noise at 40kph?

Look in the FAQ section and :search: for freelander. In particular chassis cracking and subframe and rear duff mounts. Also check yo VCU

A couple of drivetrain issues you need to be aware of with the freelander, the VCU and IRD are known to fail/cause problems if you do a search all the info has already been covered on here. You need to make sure all the tyres match with same tread depth too to protect the drivetrain. And if it's a petrol you may want to search for the well documented engine faults as well. Sure someone will be along soon to give more info though.

Hummmmmm.... Tires...

That makes a whole lot of sense! After I test drove the car the previous owner had a flat and replaced 1 tire in the rear. Different model tire, 90 % tread on it and I'd say 10% left on the other three.

If this is the problem, then I won't feel like such an idiot for missing a bad wheel bearing on a test drive!

Oh the rear sub frame is freshly welded to the car....

If your subframe is welded on I hope you never have to change the diff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ya, me too! I only spent 5 min under it and that didn't catch my eye.

Well it was cheap, so let's see what life is like on a tropic island with no dealer parts or rover mechanics...

I have a good welding and and fab guy at work so I am not too worried about the weld.

I have a feeling I am going to be on this forum a lot.

it's your oddly matched tyre, no harm in checking the other bits and bobs but 99% sure it will be the wrong rolling diameter on your new tyre.

If you check other posts regards the Viscus Coupling Unit "VCU" and the Intermediate Reduction Drive "IRD" then they will describe the freelanders "Unique" drive train setup.

All 4 tyres should be the same make and as close as possible to the same size.

Easy check is to measure the diameter of each wheel, if the difference is more than 5% then you have a problem.

Forgot to say........

Dont move the car till you have checked these sizes, you might destroy the drivetrain......

Good luck

I just went out to the car and all the tires are 235/55 r17

Now for the odd part. I put a tape on them from asphalt ( not perfectly flat but close)
LF is a pirelli scorpion 66cm
RF is a pirelli scorpion 66cm
RR is a Michelin pilot primacy 67.3cm or so
LR is a Michelin piolit mx4 67cm

Spare is way off at 225 / 65 r17


Oh, it takes quite a while to get tires here on the island... Fedex even takes 7 days!

if you drive a freelander isnt rear activity normal

one thing if some idiot has welded the sub frame to the body is it strait with the body never heard of this before

Not sure how to check if it is square. Folks down her do what they have to to stay on the road.

In all probability it will be square because they'll have left in a couple of original bolts at the time it was welded.
And you'd have noticed it driving sideways

more thank likely when refitting there have left the studs undone slightly and it has pulled the bolt of the chassie all that needed to be done was to weld the nut back onto the body always check the torque settings is the answer

All the bolts appear to be intact.

4flats said:

All the bolts appear to be intact.

Click to expand...

Should be alright then

UPDATE:
I am going to pull the drive shaft tommrow AM. I think the VSC is locked up.

jamesmartin said:

if you drive a freelander isnt rear activity normal

Click to expand...

No. When JC first tested the FL1 on top gear he did comment on the FL1 being the first LR you could power slide. He then did this to prove it.