TD4 auto "clunk" from rear...???

Hello everyone.

Looking for a bit of advice please...........

I've recently bought an 06 TD4 Sport auto (read the threads about the sport so no comments please!) with 44k on the clock and am generally happy with it. I work overseas for a month at a time and the Freelander sits in the drive in "park" with the handbrake off when I'm away, when I got home last time the car was reluctant to move initially, had to rock it in "D" then "R" a few times then after a "clunk" which I think came from the rear off it went with no other strange noises and felt the same as when I bought it, didn't think there was a problem but its playing on my mind a bit now..........

My question, do you think this is the start of the dreaded VCU problems I've read about or is there maybe something I'm not aware about regarding leaving an auto for long periods undriven??

Thanks in advance

Rear brake drums can stick sometimes. Theres a spring or something to lubricate. Many have asked the question on ere so there should be several freds on it. Chunk is the mechanisum coming free as you move. Worried about yer vcu? Do the one wheel up test below.

Thanks for the reply, not too sure about the rear drum theory though as I don't leave the car with the handbrake on, as its an auto I leave it in park, I'll bear it in mind though, thanks again

Best way to find out would be to jack up both rear wheels and turn them by hand, next time it happens.

Hello again,
Well, this time away I left it in neutral with the handbrake off, car didn't move for a month, started ok, tried to drive off and had to do the same again, drive then reverse a few times, wouldn't move more than a few inches forward or back then.......clunk.....off it went with no strange noises for the month at home, a bit worried now that its going to be an expensive somewhere deep in the transmission problem, any ideas please would be a great help (or reassurance its nothing serious!!!)

hi this can be dust on the back brake shoes or mal adjusted try rinsing the drums of with a hose and see how you go hope this helps

If the rear adjusters are working correctly the shoes should be almost touching the drums when the parking brake is off. Dust build up and damp weather coupled with the friction material swelling could be the cause of the rear brakes sticking on even when the parking brake is not used. I would have thought that any problems with the Diff/VCU etc would have been obvious during the times when you are using the vehicle.

mine does it as well, mine is one of the rear brake drums, but only if it gets wet. since cleaning it all out, all is fine.

Bit of emery cloth on the shoes, clean the drum up, adjust it properly. Recheck it.




Although i do have a little bit of a suggestion If your willing to get a spanner out.

If your handbrake is adjusted properly in the drum, the shoe will still be contacting it even with the handbrake off. You could try removing either the rear centre console trim (it just pulls off) or the 4screws out the cubbybox lid to access the handbrake cables. Slacken the 13mm nut off when you leave it for a month, this should take all the tension out of the cables and hopefully stop it sticking.

On the other hand, i wouldnt worry about it

Thanks for the advice and suggestions guys, I'm hoping now that its not a serious issue but you know what its like when you've got that nagging doubt at the back of your mind, we'll see what its like after the next idle month after having a look and servicing the rear drums, thanks again