Freelander problem- possibly drive shaft?

Hello everyone.
I went off to start my Freelander today, put it in first gear, double checked if handbrake was down and yet it wouldn't move. So then I went into neutral and back to first, it made a bang from the back when lifting clutch up(something that happened many times before whilst driving, this time it was louder though)- and now it makes sort of squeeking noises from the back when driving. What can it be? I read somewhere it's possibly a drive shaft problem? Is it safe to drive it in that state? I should also mention I drove through some standing water yesterday, but I don't know if it's relevant.
Thanks for any help.

Ird?

Introduce yourself, young man. Where are you? What flavour Freelander are you driving (1.8, V6, L-series, Td4)? This probably is a drivetrain issue of some kind, but a bit of background info would be useful.

For example, have you ever had your rear diff mounts checked/changed?

Well, I am actually a woman and that, I think, explains my vague information given on a subject. I don't really have a vast automotive knowledge but trying to understand certain processes and learn something- I want to keep this car for a while.
Right, so it's a 2.0 Td4, 2001, bought only last winter. It had MOT done last Nov, no serious issues mentioned/fixed.

Well, that's me told "Though shalt never make assumptions about LZ members".

Right, the standing water issue could be why it wouldn't move today - it could have meant the back brake shoes were temporarily seized on. F/Ls do suffer from handbrake issues (sticking on, usually) and this could have exacerbated an existing problem. Seized brakes usually give with a bang when they un-seize. See how it goes.

I know there have been folk on here talking about rear props in the past w.r.t clonks and bangs, but I've not experienced that myself so can't really comment aside from saying that it my be a worn UJ on the prop (others will have more knowledge on this issue, I'm sure).

What I have had experience of is worn rear-diff mounts. There are three of then, and the rubber bush on all of them gives way over time resulting in the diff wobbling about. This is usually felt as a clunk on taking up drive. The centre mount of the three is the usual culprit there. It's not dangerous to drive like that, but it will be annoying. Oh, and they may have been OK back in Nov, but that was 8 months ago - these things can suddenly go.

Not sure about the squeaking noise you're hearing, but it could be related to a worn diff-mount - metal on metal?

There's plenty on here about F/L drivetrains, particularly knackered VCUs causing IRD failure so it's worth searching for those key words. A knackered VCU can also cause a rear-diff to fail, but I would imagine you'd be experiencing more catastrophic symptoms if this was the problem.

Then again, maybe you are though in the form of no drive this morning..... Can't see why you'd suddenly get drive back again though. I still think "handbrake" for that bit.

Anyway, I know I'm rambling there, but I hope that gives you a few clues. There are plenty more peeps here who will have some ideas I'm sure.

Good luck...

sounds deffo like rear brake shoes, had this with mine, esp. after they got wet. A strip down clean and rebuild cured the problem.

good luck

With all the wet weather were having I would think it's nothing more than the wet brake shoes bonding with rust to the brake drums, so driving it for a few miles should get rid of the squeak.

it will not actually be the brake linning but the dust on the linnings if you have a hose or power washer just give the back hubs a real good squirt from the back of the hub hope this helps

Had the same problem and it was down to the rear brakes where the break pads had come off their lining, inserted new brakes on the rear and problem was solved. hope this helps