Just an up date on my Freelander. I have had the 2 main prop bearings replaced along with what the garage called the anti-vibration damper, its a big round rubber/metal unit thats between the 2 bearings and close to the VCU. The garage put the prop back and road tested the vehicle, but believe it or not, the problem was worse. They took the prop off again and noticed the other prop bearing at the front of the front prop was knackered, but you cannot just buy the bearing, you have to buy the complete front propshaft, which I have just bought this morning, so both props can go back on the vehicle next week. I can see why people take the props off and leave them off because of the huge expense these involve?
When I drove the vehicle this morning without the prop, effectively making it just a front wheel drive, again I noticed a droning like noise coming from the front underneath the vehicle, so although the props will be right, there is another underlying problem, which is yet to be diagnosed. The Landrover specialist I was talking to said it could be a "drivetrain" problem, or possible gearbox issues or I think he said IRS or IRC problems? Anyone got any suggestions what this droning noise could be? Could it be CV joints, which I am having replaced in 2 weeks with reluctor rings, or wheel bearings? The tyres have been checked and are all OK. It recently passed the MOT and nothing was noticed then but of course, if it is a gearbox problem, it would not affect the MOT anyway. The auto box seems smooth enough, although only this morning did i detect a slight "clunking" noise in between gears, but I'm not sure if this has got anything to do with having no props on? The list and expense goes on and on!