Just bought a modded Freelander TD4... seems to have no front PropShaft!

jimbodavies · Jul 13, 2012

I've just (last night at Auction) bought a 2002 five door Freelander, that the previous owner (who had it from new) did a few bits to.

So far I've discovered (some more obvious than others!) a 2" lift and some chunky tyres, a snorkel, a synergy 2 digital tuning model, some wiring and switches for roof lights, and a little gadget that shows the angle of the car...

More pressing, is that I've discovered a distinct lack of a front propshaft (it was dark and raining at the auction, whoops!).

Now, why would someone remove the front propshaft? The number of receipts I have for this vehicle indicate that the previous owner was a pretty careful chap who didn't mind spending money, so there must be a reason.

Suggestions so far have included a problem with the viscous coupling, fuel economy, and to alter the wear on the rear tyres... which leads me on to point number two...

The front tyres have a really deep tread, that's wearing quite evenly. They're oversize tyres, and the do rub at full lock, but not much. The rear tyres however, have a massively deep tread on the inside edge, tapering off to almost no tread on the outside edge. This is presumably a camber problem, i.e. something wrong with the suspension setup?

Any tips and info gratefully received!

The Mad Hat Man · Jul 13, 2012

2" lift - camber problems.
No front prop - FUCT drive train and no good off road

.

Good luck. Time to intruduce yoself methinks

.

jimbodavies · Jul 13, 2012

The Mad Hat Man said:
2" lift - camber problems.
No front prop - FUCT drive train and no good off road .

Is the no front prop the cause of the fuct drive train, or is the fuct drive train mitigated by the removal of the prop?

I'm not hugely fond of the 2" lift. There's a freelander in the car park, I wonder if he'd notice if I swapped all the gear over...

The Mad Hat Man said:
Good luck. Time to intruduce yoself methinks .

Thanks, I like I challenge! I hereby introduce myself as the proud owner of another green badged moneypit (for money I don't have

)

jimbodavies · Jul 13, 2012

The Mad Hat Man said:
2" lift - camber problems.
No front prop - FUCT drive train and no good off road .

Good luck. Time to intruduce yoself methinks .

So keen to point out what I'm letting myself in for you posted it twice

videoman · Jul 13, 2012

Freelanders don't have a front propshaft like other LR vehicles. They have a pair of driveshafts from the gearbox and IRD unit.

The Mad Hat Man · Jul 13, 2012

videoman said:
Freelanders don't have a front propshaft like other LR vehicles. They have a pair of driveshafts from the gearbox and IRD unit.

That was my initial thought, but they do.... One each side of the VCU.

Mainwaring · Jul 13, 2012

Firstly before doing anything else I would get the camber sorted, fairly simple from what I can gather, do a search for 2" lift, there's a few threads. Then get replacement tyres on the rear, make sure they're the same brand and design as the front two.

then, are you intending to drive off road in it? (might be a silly question considering the tyres etc!)... visit a reputable company like Bell Engeneering, they'll give your exsisting drive train components a look over to see what they're like, then if ok get them to fit a recon. vcu and prop shafts.

I'm suspecting that when the lift was done they didn't bother with the camber, this has not only caused the tyres to wear really unevenly but also the VCU to shaft itself. I'm just hoping for your sake that's all it's done as you may find your self with several sizable bills if you want it to be 4 wheel drive!

If you're happy having it 2 wheel drive, get the camber sorted and it'll prob be perfectly fine!

The Mad Hat Man · Jul 13, 2012

jimbodavies said:
Is the no front prop the cause of the fuct drive train, or is the fuct drive train mitigated by the removal of the prop?

I'm not hugely fond of the 2" lift. There's a freelander in the car park, I wonder if he'd notice if I swapped all the gear over...

Thanks, I like I challenge! I hereby introduce myself as the proud owner of another green badged moneypit (for money I don't have )

normal reasons for removing front prop (or both) is......
a) VCU is buggered and is destroying IRD
b) to reduce fuel consumption (but this is no good for off-road use as it makes the vehicle 2wd).

either way, doing it on an "off road prepp'd" vehicle is not condusive to making it a very good.

Getting a proper lift on a Freelander is not easy, or cheap, because of the suspension set-up on them.

nickcc · Jul 14, 2012

Perhaps the previous owner swapped the front tyres for the rears and the uneven wear could be due to the front tracking being out. Try getting in touch with the previous owner on the reg document as he may know the answer.

teddywood1 · Jul 14, 2012

not heard of front camber not being right to doing in the vcu

mad git · Jul 14, 2012

Perhaps the previous owner wanted to "Macho" up his Gaywagon, he may have got fed up with the local bum boys winking at him, and waiving their spoons

Diesel Do · Jul 14, 2012

I've got a 2" lifted one. Camber has been done! At both ends! Are you saying the front half of the rear prop has been removed to make it front drive only? I'd that's the case get your wallet out. I'd say the work hasn't been done to avoid drivetrain and tyre problems that has then lead them to drive it to destruction cos they saved a few quid not doing it right in the first place!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1342260576.547633.jpg

markyzs180 · Jul 14, 2012

mad git said:
Perhaps the previous owner wanted to "Macho" up his Gaywagon, he may have got fed up with the local bum boys winking at him, and waiving their spoons

now now ya big stud... get back in your section and put your name down for the line dancing competition down the nfu club tonight....new lumberjack shirt and stetson for the winner....go for it champ

jimbodavies · Jul 14, 2012

Chaps, thanks for all your replies, most helpful.

The Mad Hat Man said:
That was my initial thought, but they do.... One each side of the VCU.

Sorry, I'm good with boats but not so much cars, VCU and IRD stand for what?

Mainwaring said:
Firstly before doing anything else I would get the camber sorted, fairly simple from what I can gather, do a search for 2" lift, there's a few threads. Then get replacement tyres on the rear, make sure they're the same brand and design as the front two.

then, are you intending to drive off road in it? (might be a silly question considering the tyres etc!)... visit a reputable company like Bell Engeneering, they'll give your exsisting drive train components a look over to see what they're like, then if ok get them to fit a recon. vcu and prop shafts.

I'm going to get brooklands 4x4 (local) to sort the camber hopefully, then will put 4 new boots on it. The spare also shows evidence of camber wear, so 4 new tyres still leaves me 2 good spares.

No intention to do any serious off road, but 4wd will be needed launching and recovering boats on slipways. Probably a stupid question, but which components make up the drive train?

The Mad Hat Man said:
Getting a proper lift on a Freelander is not easy, or cheap, because of the suspension set-up on them.

From the stack of bills I've got, the previous owner didn't seem reluctant to spend, here paid a fair whack for the lift! I hope that's the case, as it should make it easier on me!

nickcc said:
Perhaps the previous owner swapped the front tyres for the rears and the uneven wear could be due to the front tracking being out. Try getting in touch with the previous owner on the reg document as he may know the answer.

Yep, i wrote to him on Friday including my email address, hopefully he'll be kind enough to reply!

Diesel Do said:
I've got a 2" lifted one. Camber has been done! At both ends! Are you saying the front half of the rear prop has been removed to make it front drive only? I'd that's the case get your wallet out. I'd say the work hasn't been done to avoid drivetrain and tyre problems that has then lead them to drive it to destruction cos they saved a few quid not doing it right in the first place!

Yep, that looks to be the case. It's possible the worn tyres used to be on the front. Can I damage it driving without the shaft?

Thanks so far chaps, I'll get the drivetrain and camber checked out next week. Who knows what else we'll find!

jimbodavies · Jul 14, 2012

Defender 110it;2047656]Perhaps the previous owner wanted to "Macho" up his Gaywagon, he may have got fed up with the local bum boys winking at him, and waiving their spoons

[/QUOTE]

Hmm, with that in mind, perhaps i should change it back... or paint it pink!

jimbodavies · Jul 14, 2012

Well, the previous owner just called me (kind fellow). He traded the Freelander in against a new one, so it was in the auction I bought it from I guess because the garage didn't want it hanging around.

Good news (I think). He traded it in a month ago, and it had a full drivetrain (as well as a 2nd spare wheel that's now gone!). He replaced the Viscous Coupling (presumably VCU?) about 25,000 miles ago, but he had been advised that the propshaft bearings needed replacing.

It was originally an import from the Netherlands (some dodgy exchange rate deal!).

When he had the 2" lift done, it was a bearmach kit, and the camber adjustment pins were fitted. I guess there's some adjustment to be done!

The Synergy tuning chip sounds like an interesting extra too.

Hopefully it's just a case of getting a new propshaft and bearings, and all will be well for a few thousand miles...

Diesel Do · Jul 14, 2012

Mines got the bearmach kit on it. With eibach camber correction front and rear. It's not part of the lift kit so I'd check it's been done at both ends! Probably find so oik at the dealer has pinched some bits in that case!

The Mad Hat Man · Jul 14, 2012

VCU - Viscous Coupling Unit - source of major drive train problems - is meant to allow minor slip between input and output in normal use and lock up if it detects major difference in prop speeds front and rear - can fail either with no drive front to rear

or sieze solid

which destroys your drive train - mainly the......

IRD - Intermediate Reduction Drive - a mini "gearbox" that splits out the drive for the rear - Usually doesnt cause any problems, but suffers in a major way if the VCU isnt working properly and has been known to explode (not an exaggeration) and is very expensive to replace.

there are lots of threads on VCU problems & subsequent IRD damage. please look around - particularly in the FAQ section where there some superb right-ups.

Diesel Do · Jul 14, 2012

They are basically a front wheel drive design and with no prop they will work as one with no damage to anything. There is an ird (intermediate reduction drive) this in simple terms turns the drive to the rear wheels and there is a diff at the back between the rear wheels. Because there is no diff between the front and back wheels like on a traditional land rover to allow the wheels to turn at a different speed. Land Rover fitted a viscous coupling in the propshaft to allow some slip but if the slip increases because of wheel spin it locks up kinda like an intelligent difflock in simple terms. When it works it works well. But a lot are suffering from abuse and neglect now not to mention muppetry

The Mad Hat Man · Jul 14, 2012

Diesel Do said:
When it works it works well. But a lot are suffering from abuse and neglect now not to mention muppetry

how can the VCU be abused and neglected?

Just bought a modded Freelander TD4... seems to have no front PropShaft!

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