Freelander 2 (LR2) Front wheel problems

Hi,

I have a freelander 2 which I have had for a year now (2010 reg, 85k miles). I have had all sorts of problems with it in that time (including new brakes all round, new rear bearing and new rear diff). Recently, it has been making a strange sound when I have been turning the steering wheel from the front wheels - its sounded like the wheels aren't turning properly, almost like they're stuck, and sometimes it also feels like I'm driving over rumble strips at the same time. This does stop when I straighten the wheel but the wheels sounding like they're not turning happens every time I move the steering wheel.
I has been to a garage twice now (not a LR one as my closest is over an hour away) and they can't seem to find the problem. The closest thing they can think of is it is a front diff however they can only seem to source the part from LR themselves and have been quoted over £2500 for this.
They have recommended a small garage near by to get a second opinion which is run by 2 old LR technicians but I was wondering if anyone has had anything similar and if so, what was the prognosis? I can't afford to keep throwing money at the car as I am a student but also I need it as I use is as a towing vehicle and my (large) lurcher comes everywhere with me in it.

Sorry for such a long post, thank you!

If stuff happens with the wheels turned it could be wind up - the Haldex not letting the axles rotate at different speeds. Which would be aggravated if you have mismatched tyres (not same make and model) or tyres not all pumped to the same pressure.

When was the Haldex last serviced?

The garage didn't look that hard for a diff. Bell Engineering do a recon for £480+vat.

Thank you! The tyres have been checked and are the same make/model and the same pressure. The Haldex was checked at Christmas when the rear diff and bearing was replaced. The tracking was done again this week which has helped a small amount but the issue with the wheels is still very present. The garage who did the diff and bearing had a look at the time and they couldn't find anything.

ImmyFrank said:

The Haldex was checked at Christmas when the rear diff and bearing was replaced.

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How was it checked? Unless it was pulled apart by a specialist, there's no way to check it.

It sounds like the common Haldex issue of grabbing every second or so while maneuvering on lock.

Mine is also currently suffering this issue, which I'm easing by driving gently on lock, however it needs sorting, as it's putting enormous strain on the PTU and rear diff, both of which are replacements. I checked mine, and cleaned it too, but it's causing issues.

Take the prop shaft oft to see if the problem dissapears.

Hippo said:

Take the prop shaft oft to see if the problem dissapears.

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Pulling the Haldex fuse (FB6) does the same thing, by disabling the Haldex ECM. Mine stops thumping with the fuse pulled.

Nodge68 said:

Pulling the Haldex fuse (FB6) does the same thing, by disabling the Haldex ECM. Mine stops thumping with the fuse pulled.

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I was thinking it was a mechanical 'catch' if it's doing it all the time. Hence prop removal. Agree fuse is easier.

Hippo said:

I was thinking it was a mechanical 'catch' if it's doing it all the time. Hence prop removal. Agree fuse is easier.

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This shuddering is a well known Haldex, but unfortunately it's not easy to sort.
I believe it's similar to clutch shudder in an auto gearbox, or even some manual gearbox clutches, where they don't engage smoothly.
If it stops with the fuse pulled, then it almost certainly down to this Haldex issue.

I'm currently looking for a cheap second hand Haldex, which I'm going to strip and see if a DIY repair is possible.