IRD and Cambelt questions

Hello All, New member, first post.

My '98 S Diesel Freelander (Rover L series) with 110,000 miles on it destroyed it's front diff taking the IRD casing with it. As far as I can assertain this was caused by a bearing collapse which caused the front diff to lock, in turn the CV "cup" which normally is held in by a circlip on the end of a spline now doesn't have a spline and the loose driveshaft has smashed the oil pump housing, much carnage. Initially the only indication that this was about to happen was an occasional knocking sound from underneath the car which sounded very much like a worn ball joint.

I only write this preamble to act as a warning to others, my questions follow:

I have aquired a replacement IRD, but having test fitted my replacement CV joint cup some lateral movement is evident in the cup, is this normal?
I realise this is best guess, but what potentially would be the fix, is it likely to be the tapered bearing that caused me so many problems in my previous IRD? The IRD is not yet fitted to the car is this likely to be the cause of the wobble and will it disappear when the box is installed and the shaft connected to the other side of the car?

I also need to replace the cambelt, and having got the car in so many bits I have decided to do this myself, I am mechanically competent but I was wondering if there are any tips or shortcuts to doing it?

Thanks in advance

Lee

Welcom Lee
And sounds like a bit of a nightmare youve had there
carnt offer any advice on the drive train problem, cos i aint had it to bits yet, and the only thing i know about the the L series has nowt whatsoever to do with yer cambelt swap.
So??????Hello

Yes welcome Lee sounds like yer really into this one ,well done, look for wot its worth ,on ya timing belt follow the instructions in the Haynes book to the letter ,you have to make a tool up to lock your timing ,youl find that even with yer tension arm loose you wont get that belt orft so just cut it [after reading lock up ] and the best way to get new one on is to undo center bolt on crank pulley and slip belt around that then push yer pulley back , then measure your tension ,read the book for tech details,and also change the injector belt at the same time, you need to lock that up as well, and also re call you have to take the weight of engine block orft as this can adversly efect your timing, best oh luck. . .

Thanks for the response.

I'm toying with the idea of letting someone else do the cambelt after I've fixed the IRD and oil pump, I don't have an engine hoist, overtime has gone mad at work, and I'm sick of laying under the car, which is outside and it won't stop bloody raining!

But thanks again.

Lee