Floatey,
I own a 1998 Freelander 2.0 XEDi which I have had for two years. Vehicle has a full Land Rover service history and has never had any problems until 2 months ago. At this time I noticed a slight oil leak from the rear and the sound of transmission noise. The Land Rover dealership diagnosed a failed rear differential which was replaced at the same time as the 96,000 mile service. Total cost about £1700.
2 months later and only 1,800 miles since service and repair by Land Rover and the car became undriveable on the motorway and had to be recovered at my own expense. Land Rover dealership diagnosed a failed IRD unit. Cost £1200 to replace. Dealership explained that as these are two common failures on the early Freelanders it could be that the viscous coupling had also seized. The dealership wanted to replace the IRD unit and it was only when I asked them to conduct the test on the viscous coupling as documented on Ashcroft-Transmissions website that they found it had seized. Total Price for new IRD and coupling £1900?
I am currently in dispute with the dealership as clearly they know this is a common fault and at time of rear diff failure they should have checked the viscous coupling and did'nt. For the sake of about a further £700 for the viscous coupling I would have prevented the IRD unit from failing.
Land Rover UK deny that there are any faults with their parts and the dealership state that the experience of their service technicians would have spotted a seized viscous coupling. I beg to differ as it was only the service manager who knew of the Ashcroft test of raising one wheel off the ground and trying to turn the wheel.
Dealership are not admitting liability and wouldn't accept my offer of paying for the viscous coupling, labour and VAT if they fund the IRD unit, labour and VAT.
Trading standards advise that I have a good case under The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 as they hadn't serviced my vehicle with reasonable car and skill.
May have to pursue this matter in the small claims court for the sake of £80.
I absolutely love the car but this has been a horror story!
Anyone else got some advice, horror stories or be able to help me find evidence that this is a very common problem on the early Freelanders which clearly Land Rover know of the faults but deny ?
Thanks