loud banging underneath freelander

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jamiesmack said:
Hi all,

Hope someone can help. For a while now I've had a sort of rhythmic whirring sound when I've got up to about 50mph. I've only been doing short runs to work and back.

Tonight however, I had to go on a bit of a longer journey. After about 10 miles, there was a really strong smell of gas (as in natural gas, not fuel). I then had to slow down from about 60mph, and when I hit 35mph there was a really loud series of bangs. About 6 bangs in quick succession. it felt as if it was right under the drivers seat. This was then repeated whenever I got to 35mph. If I stayed at this speed, the banging continued, with a gap of about 3-4 seconds between each series of bangs. Above or below this speed = no bangs.

There was also a lot of vibration at various speeds, basically, felt like crap.

Also, I quickly turned round and went home. The steering felt really odd as I got close to home. This may be related or not, I dunno.

Sorry for the long rambling post, just wanted to give as much info as I could. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

The same thing happened to my father-in-law on Friday.

Since then we've had it on the ramp, and with all the wheels off the floor we've run the engine in gear and identified the whine/rumble to be coming from the IRD unit. The VCU seems fine, but....

I just phoned him after reading this post, and guess what - he had new front tyres fitted last week!!

Tom
 
Hi again,

Just thought I would update you with the latest..

I took it back to the Garage who changed the tyres over, but vibration has continued and the smell is getting worse. So back again, they have now said the rear tyres have worn around the outer edge, and the Diff is leaking from a seal, onto the exhaust, and that's what is causing the horrid smell.

I have asked them about the VCU / IRD but they say they are both fine, but I'm not sure they checked to be honest. How much of a job is it to check these?

Is the diff likely to go on its own? They are also denying that this has anything to do with them changing the front tyres only, so are refusing to help pay for any damage that has been done :mad:
 
jamiesmack said:
Hi again,

Just thought I would update you with the latest..

I took it back to the Garage who changed the tyres over, but vibration has continued and the smell is getting worse. So back again, they have now said the rear tyres have worn around the outer edge, and the Diff is leaking from a seal, onto the exhaust, and that's what is causing the horrid smell.

I have asked them about the VCU / IRD but they say they are both fine, but I'm not sure they checked to be honest. How much of a job is it to check these?

Is the diff likely to go on its own? They are also denying that this has anything to do with them changing the front tyres only, so are refusing to help pay for any damage that has been done :mad:
Click to expand...

The owners manual clearly states that new tyres MUST GO ON THE REAR. There is a good reason for this as huge amounts of damage can be caused otherwise. The vcu will lock up effectively joining the front and rear diffs together, as they are geared differently it will overload the diffs. If the rear diff is leaking there is a good chance that some damage has already occurred. The prop shafts need to be removed NOW before any more damage is caused. The vcu can only be tested correctly if you know how so would be best done by Austin at Bell.
 
Have a look on the stickies in this Freelander section for excellent info on VCU testing also, as I suggested earlier, on Bells website. As far as the IRD is concerned try lifting the rear output shaft, any lift will confirm bearing damage.
 
The new tires are obviously smaller/larger than the old ones, this has caused the rotational sapped difference to increase to a point where the vcu is having to slip too much, its heats up more than it should and becomes tighter, causing drive train to wind up. This over heats the oil in the bird and rear diff. Usually when this happens the rear diff gets so hot the oil burns and causes this smell. It also usually melts the diff breather, which can/will result in the drive shafts popping out next time it gets heated up. At best your ird and rear diff have taken a pounding and need checking over. And refilling with oil. The vcu will also need testing as its most likely fubared now. At worse the rear diff if a write off, and ird close to or gone. This garage obviously know very little about the free lander, I would suggest you find somewhere else, get a report done and approach the original garage with it andsee if they are willing to sort bit out. This could cost a lot of money to sort out and a "specialist" should know better.
 
Could be the viscous coupling bearing mountings. Does it do it when turning tight corners? I had this banging, and it felt like it was, as you state right under the drivers seat. The bearings are held in thick rubber mounts, but do perish and go soft, allowing the action of the prop shaft 'wind up' to force the bearings against the bearing holder that's bolted to the chassis.
Lay on your side with a leg under the vehicle and push on the vc a few times, if it's this problem you should hear and feel it.
Good luck.
 
So..........as you were told nearly 2 weeks ago don't drive it until you have removed props and vcu, change fluids and check the breather on the diff else you'll be looking at a bill of 1 to 2k to get it put right.
Driving in mondo mode (2wd) until you have the funds is fine........some people prefer it and some do it through spring ,summer and only go back to 4wd for winter.
 
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