Russell Jupp

New Member
Hi all, think I'm gonna bite the bullet, and fix the IRD on my FL1.
Since I've had it, its been a bit suspect, and having done the VCU in FEB, I think its time to get it done. (Been running without prop since March)
Its always had a metallic 'rattle' under heavy load, which folk on here have suggested maybe the pinion bearing...but it does seem to be getting slightly worse. In fact, today I replaced the front half of the prop to see if it went away, but its started to chatter quite badly under load now, (imagine all the cogs giggling and trying to make a break for it)....

At normal road speeds its perfectly quiet, but slow down in any higher gear, to about 2000 rpm, hit the gas and its there. If you apply the brakes with left foot at the same time as the gas, it sounds even worse.

So my question is what is to be done? Re-build with just bearing and seal kit? or crown wheel and pinion kit, cooling plate?
Or 2nd hand...did wonder about 2nd hand, and getting it inspected. There is one on ebay- £300.00

My local garage are great, but although they have removed and replaced knackered IRD's, they have never rebuit one.

Any advice welcomed (except the usual 'burn it' etc etc)
Russ
 
Pinion is stand alone, take it out and inspect, if you can source a single bearing (peeps have done it on here but no one has posted numbers) that would be the simples route.

If it doesn't improve, full strip down and replace the remainder x6
 

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Pinion is stand alone, take it out and inspect, if you can source a single bearing (peeps have done it on here but no one has posted numbers) that would be the simples route.

If it doesn't improve, full strip down and replace the remainder x6

Thanks NI, but help me out a little more here...am i correct in thinking that a 'blanking plate' will replace this whole assembly?
Also, if there was more severe damge to the workings of the IRD, would it chatter and knock at all road speeds? I guess what I'm asking is what does a completely knackered IRD sound like??
Cheers, Russ
 
You can't know what up until you get it off the car and break it open. Anything that is worn needs replacing, simple as.

I've heard of people blanking off the pinion port to commit to Mondo mode but I din't know if the plate is available or if you would have to fabricate one. Personally I wouldn't do it. The freelander is a Landrover and up till now that means its a 4x4. If you want 2WD, buy a Galaxy....
 
Also, if there was more severe damge to the workings of the IRD, would it chatter and knock at all road speeds? I guess what I'm asking is what does a completely knackered IRD sound like??
Cheers, Russ

As I have a very similar noise at the same revs, in the same gears at full load I am watching this hoping I find out everything is normal:D

One question Russell - can you get yours to rattle from a cold startup - i.e. overnight? Mine wont until fully warm and the local garage recons changing the gear oil will help - that feels like papering over cracks though.

Mine is under warranty but they cant find anything wrong and dont want to know
 
As I have a very similar noise at the same revs, in the same gears at full load I am watching this hoping I find out everything is normal:D

One question Russell - can you get yours to rattle from a cold startup - i.e. overnight? Mine wont until fully warm and the local garage recons changing the gear oil will help - that feels like papering over cracks though.

Mine is under warranty but they cant find anything wrong and dont want to know


Interesting!! mine does not rattle when cold either??
Changed IRD oil couple of months ago, no different.
Russ
 
I do recall reading somewhere that the oil in the IRD is whole-life oil and shouldn't be replaced. Might this be a contributing factor...or am I quoting half-truths again?
 
The oil was suppoed to be in for life, that is why the IRD is force cooled. In practice, change it!!
 
Interesting!! mine does not rattle when cold either??
Changed IRD oil couple of months ago, no different.
Russ

I havent had the oil changed and as far as I am aware its never been changed - so wont bother then!

I drove 15 miles yesterday at town speeds before it started to rattle under heavy load so its not instant but definately once everything is fully warmed up does it raise its ugly head!

I am going to take it back to the dealer we bought it from a few weeks before their warranty expires to give it chance to get any worse. To be fair though its done 1,000 miles in our ownership and is no different.

If its not the IRD, what else can it be?
 
Thanks NI, but help me out a little more here...am i correct in thinking that a 'blanking plate' will replace this whole assembly?
Also, if there was more severe damge to the workings of the IRD, would it chatter and knock at all road speeds? I guess what I'm asking is what does a completely knackered IRD sound like??
Cheers, Russ
Hi if it is just bearings worn (normally centre bearing, crownwheel bottom) you will just get a wine and maybe a little clonk on full lock in reverse, on a really shattered ird you will feel the car jump and lock then suddenly free itself not a nice feeling, the quicker you get the ird sorted the cheaper the rebuild will cost, if you catch it before crownwheel and pinion damage you can get away with just replacing failed bearings, i do alot of rebuilds and hear alot of diifferent symptoms,
Crownwheels and pinions are quite expensive i sell for £159 a set, which doesnt include bearings. hope this helps
 
Hi if it is just bearings worn (normally centre bearing, crownwheel bottom) you will just get a wine and maybe a little clonk on full lock in reverse,

Now you have me worried...I have replaced my VCU, bearings, rear diff and mounts x3 and the UJ on the front prop as it goes into the VCU and I'm still getting a whine/groan from the drivetrain somewhere plus a lumpy vibration between 60 and 70mph.

Plus it has recently developed an occasional jump when first pulling away for the first time - as though the brakes have siezed or the handbrake stuck on.

Could this be a symptom of a pending IRD/bearing failure also I wonder?:(:confused:
 
Now you have me worried...I have replaced my VCU, bearings, rear diff and mounts x3 and the UJ on the front prop as it goes into the VCU and I'm still getting a whine/groan from the drivetrain somewhere plus a lumpy vibration between 60 and 70mph.

Plus it has recently developed an occasional jump when first pulling away for the first time - as though the brakes have siezed or the handbrake stuck on.

Could this be a symptom of a pending IRD/bearing failure also I wonder?:(:confused:

Hi the vibtation could be a number of things, but the occasional jump im afraid does sound like ird is failing, my advice would be to change the bearings now before it costs you an arm and a leg to repair
regards
 
Hi the vibtation could be a number of things, but the occasional jump im afraid does sound like ird is failing, my advice would be to change the bearings now before it costs you an arm and a leg to repair
regards

I'm starting to feel like the black knight in Monty Pythons Holy Grail with the amount of limbs I keep losing!!

Where might you be in the world...just in case I can find some money down the back of the sofa?
 
I'm starting to feel like the black knight in Monty Pythons Holy Grail with the amount of limbs I keep losing!!

Where might you be in the world...just in case I can find some money down the back of the sofa?[/quote

I know the feeling, the good thing is you have noticed it early and hopefully hasnt done to much damage.

On a bad note if the ird has failed you will most probaly be needing a new or reconditioned vcu also,

I'm based near kings lynn in Norfolk for contact details please visit FREELANDER IRD SPECIALISTS

regards
 
Thanks for the reply old chap - hopefully, with the VCU only being three months old from new it should be okay - as are the refurbished diff and three new diff mounts..

I'll start to save my pocket money and come back to you.
 
Thanks NI, but help me out a little more here...am i correct in thinking that a 'blanking plate' will replace this whole assembly?
Also, if there was more severe damge to the workings of the IRD, would it chatter and knock at all road speeds? I guess what I'm asking is what does a completely knackered IRD sound like??
Cheers, Russ


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I had a Knacked IRD and wasn't prepared to fork out for a 2nd one as it had happened previously , so I bought one of the Blanking plates and had it fitted . I have been running on front wheel drive now for 12 months and it handles fine . MK1 2.0 Di . And also if you do it remember and keep yourself right by informing your insurance company of the change .
I had a MOT last week and apart from new shoes and pads it sailed thru without any hassle . So once the damage has been assesed that its missing teeth from the crown wheel this would be a cheap remedy till your going to get the full repair done .
 

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