transmission vibration at 27K?

Hello there, I’m new to the site, although I've been scanning the FAQ's for a while and I've been impressed by the level of expertise that's obviously out there. So I’d very much appreciate some advice on a problem that's developed with my car.

I own a 2002 Freelander TD4, 3 dr hardback, bought new and which now has 27,000 miles on the clock. I enjoy driving it – I tried a few other 4x4’s before buying and found the Freelander to be the best drive of them all. As I go fishing and mountain biking it gets (light) off-tarmac use from time to time and it’s been particularly good in the arctic conditions we’ve had of late – I live in the NE of Scotland. That said, its had a catalogue of faults, some serious, which started less than a month after I took delivery and continued with depressing regularity since. I’ve been very disappointed with the reliability in general, but to date all faults have been fixed by my local dealer under the 3 yr warranty – now expired.

Recently it has developed a vibration which appears to be coming from the transmission when the engine is in the higher gears, under load at 50+mph. In a fit of optimism I had the wheels balanced, but to no end. This vibration became very noticeable – in fact increasing to a knocking at one point - when I was driving on the motorway last weekend, so much so that I pulled off the m/way as soon as I could, thinking I’d have to call the RAC (again) to get me and the car home. However as soon as I left the m/way, the problem appeared to resolve itself with the vibration either disappearing completely or at least reducing to the point where it was barely noticeable and I felt it safe to nurse the car home. Driving around town at low speeds and in the lower gears does not seem to bring on this vibration.

I’m concerned that this could be the IRD/viscous coupling shot, but I understood that this is more of a problem with older pre-2000 vehicles at +70,000 miles. As my car has only 27,000 miles surely this is much too soon for this to occur? Is there anything else less serious that would result in these symptoms?

As I said I’d appreciate advice or pointers before I go anywhere near my local Landrover dealer, as it looks like I’ll be paying for this one.....

Hi jonno,yep i had this and it drove me mad,infact its happend twice to me,firt time,under load about 40mph vibration transmittig down prop,prop bearings were at fault,had tham replaced at £180.00 inc labour,car fine,2nd time,vibration again at 40mph,fault loose platic trim,garage cost £0.00.
to check prop bearing,put in first,let clutch out quick,if you get a clunk there badly worn and wan replacing. GOOD LUCK

Thanks for that marco - new prop bearings would certainly be easier to accept than half the transmission needing replaced on such a low mileage vehicle. I'll let you know the result.

Just to update. It transpired that the outer CV joint on the front driveshaft was completely goosed - looks like all the grease which should have been packed under the gaiter had escaped - or there'd been none in there in the first place.

Know this might sound silly ,but check ya gearbox and both front and rear diffs for oil level , also as last thread squeeze the CV gators to feel for CV grease, sometimes a good squeeze can squirt grease back in, Ive had it before. . .