The seller very kindly sent me a photo of the prop shaft and VCU :D

25qtyf4.jpg
Excellent - but still be sure to double check and clap eyes on it yourself when you get there - [just in case that's not actually a picture of "your" prop!]
I knew a fella who bought a BMW 2002 at a [static] classic car auction, having paid he jumped in and found the gearstick was not actually attached to anything - for there was no gearbox!
 
Nice one, unless your unlucky which as already mentioned can happen I can see no obvious reason for you to pull out, all cars of that age and mileage will have faults, Freelanders are no exception but they are fundamentally strong.
Thanks Alibro, I was so happy to see that prop shaft when the picture came through. It seems I've found a well looked after Freelander and I know it will cost me in the future (probably very near) but I don't mind and will enjoy keeping her maintained. I'm hoping for at least another 90,000 miles which I'm sure will be easily achieved ;)
 
Excellent - but still be sure to double check and clap eyes on it yourself when you get there - [just in case that's not actually a picture of "your" prop!]
I knew a fella who bought a BMW 2002 at a [static] classic car auction, having paid he jumped in and found the gearstick was not actually attached to anything - for there was no gearbox!
Thanks, I will do. It did also cross my mind but the seller seems very genuine and a nice bloke, I'd be shocked to be honest. But as your mate found out, you never know.
 
I agree, much more confident now. On my first viewing the tyres looked like they needed more air, I will check the pressure before setting back. I'll get a quote for a full set but if to expensive for now then I may remove the prop shaft until I can afford them.

If it has a good matching pair of tyres. Then it is permissible to fit another identical pair of matching tyres to the rear. Putting the older pair on the front. This will then elevate any tyre issues, as you'll then have a matching set. As long as all 4 are the same make, type and size, with the least worn on the back. You'll have done all you can without splashing out on 4 new tyres.
 
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Thanks everyone for the excellent advice and input, as I mentioned before I have never come across such a helpful and active forum. Its seems I'm here to stay and have a lot to learn :)

Getting the train to St Helens tomorrow morning then I'm driving her back across the Peak District to Chesterfield, should be a good trip.
 
If it has a good matching pair of tyres. Then it is permissible to fit another pair of matching tyres to the rear. Putting the older pair on the front. This will then elevate any tyre issues, as you'll then have a matching set. As long as all 4 are the same make, type and size, with the least worn on the back. You'll have done all you can without splashing out on 4 new tyres.
I didn't take much notice of the tyre make when I viewed the Freelander, unfortunately I hadn't visited this site first for pointers. But I inspected the Auto Trader photos yesterday and I can see the fronts and rear tyres are a different make. I remember the seller saying the front pair were fairly new. So I will address this asap.
 
I didn't take much notice of the tyre make when I viewed the Freelander, unfortunately I hadn't visited this site first for pointers. But I inspected the Auto Trader photos yesterday and I can see the fronts and rear tyres are a different make. I remember the seller saying the front pair were fairly new. So I will address this asap.

Do you have a link to the Auto Trader ad?
I'd be swapping the new front tyres to the rear, before driving it home. New front and old rear, will cause damage to the transmission.
 
Do you have a link to the Auto Trader ad?
I'd be swapping the new front tyres to the rear, before driving it home. New front and old rear, will cause damage to the transmission.
Unless the older tyres had a larger rolling diameter to start with - its a minefield! However - assuming they are reasonably close - the law of averages would say you are absolutely right!

If you want to be perdantic, and its only destruction of the car's transmission we're talking here, you'd take a tape measure and see whether the front or rear hub nut is higher off the ground - if the front is, then swap - then measure again because the weight of the engine will squash tyres more than an empty boot.
 
Unless the older tyres had a larger rolling diameter to start with - its a minefield! However - assuming they are reasonably close - the law of averages would say you are absolutely right!

If you want to be perdantic, and its only destruction of the car's transmission we're talking here, you'd take a tape measure and see whether the front or rear hub nut is higher off the ground - if the front is, then swap - then measure again because the weight of the engine will squash tyres more than an empty boot.
I've seen the advert GG. The front tyres are recent Michelin Latitude Cross. The rears are well hidden in the shadows. The clearest looks well worn, but possibly a Michelin Synchrone.
The passenger side rear is impossible to determine the tyre style or condition.
 
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Thanks everyone for the excellent advice and input, as I mentioned before I have never come across such a helpful and active forum. Its seems I'm here to stay and have a lot to learn :)

Getting the train to St Helens tomorrow morning then I'm driving her back across the Peak District to Chesterfield, should be a good trip.

Seems like you will have a really good buy there. - it would definitely appear that the owner and previous owner has looked after the vehicle very well. Good service history - even the front tyres are of good quality - not some cheap sh1t :) ..
Definitely put the larger rolling radius on back as we discussed - you are now familiar with all the things to check as well. The image of the VCU underneath is also indicative of the underside (as far as we can see) being in excellent condition - there are some total rot boxes around !.
Enjoy the trip and I wish you well... :D
Joe
 
I agree, much more confident now. On my first viewing the tyres looked like they needed more air, I will check the pressure before setting back. I'll get a quote for a full set but if to expensive for now then I may remove the prop shaft until I can afford them.
Good plan. As said before many people never refit the propshaft and are quite happy driving it like that. The diesels seem to handle better while 2wd than petrols. My old K series under steered like a barge while 2wd and spun the wheels at every opportunity. I was glad to get the prop back on to get it handling properly.
BTW coming here will make you totally paranoid and for the most part you don't need to be. There are tens of thousands of Freelanders out there and 99% of them (probably) have mismatched tyres cause 99% of tyre fitters either don't know or don't care about 4wd cars needing matched tyres. And yes it is important for all 4wd cars not just Freelanders. Yet for the most part they get away with it for years.
 
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So it's coming here that's made me PARANOID???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll have to be sure all those people WHO ARE talking about me and plotting don't find out............................
 
So it's coming here that's made me PARANOID???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll have to be sure all those people WHO ARE talking about me and plotting don't find out............................
Shhhhhhhhh, everybody's against us........
 

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