Thread: Freelander - constant4x4?????

the freelander is constant 4wd, but if I recall it has open diffs, so both front wheels will turn in the same direction in the air, but if you applied power to the vehicle in that state it would not move as drive would be directed to the front wheels.

Not sure how traction control would affect that however.

Originally Posted by Phoenix

the freelander is constant 4wd, but if I recall it has open diffs, so both front wheels will turn in the same direction in the air, but if you applied power to the vehicle in that state it would not move as drive would be directed to the front wheels.

Not sure how traction control would affect that however.

HI Pheonix , thanks for the super fast reply --- i took the car for a run down the road ( live on the edge of rural area)

In the gravel i gave it a bit -- just rear wheels spin - no drive or spin at front wheel? i wanted to use this vehicle in the sand and a bit worried now ( i have a Nissan Patrol 4.2 TDI as my main 4x4 and want this one as a back up 4x4 if friends want to come along)

should i just bite the bullet and just take it to the sand ?


Boc

This info from ashcroft may help:

The Freelander has 3 main drivetrain problems areas, the Intermediate Reduction Drive (IRD), Viscous Coupling (VC) and the rear differential.

The reason for this is the front wheels on the Freelander are driven faster than the rear wheels so it handles well, like a front wheel drive car. To accommodate this ratio difference, a VC is fitted inline with the rear propshaft which thus is constantly slipping.

On the earlier models this ratio difference was too great resulting in the viscous coupling working overtime and failing by siezing solid. When the viscous coupling is too tight or seized solid the front tyres are fighting the rears as the transmission is "winding up", initially this just wears the tyres (causing a "saw tooth" effect) but it also puts increased load on the IRD and rear diff as they are fighting each other causing rapid wear on both and ultimately failure of one or both.

If the freelander has 2 open diffs with a viscous coupling connecting them, if you lift 1 front wheel and one rear wheel off the ground it won't go anywhere (the 2 wheels off the ground should spin). If the front does not turn when you do this, then you have a problem.

All the issues mentioned by Ashcroft above would cause REAR drive to fail though. However it is possible that in your case something in the front driveline has failed instead.

I'm not 100% on freelanders, as i've only test driven one myself (we ended up with the larger x-trail).

One of the freelander guys will be able to answer your question better than me. I'll shif this thread into the freelander area for you to get a more direct response.

a muddy padock would be a better test of whichwheels are spinning than a public road

I have a L series diesel and there is a lot here that does not make sense.

Firstly the freelander is technically a front wheel drive vehicle with awd on demand - but this is not quite true - because of the drag in the VC, the way a VC works and the slight difference in diff ratios between the front and rear in reality 10% of drive is going to rear wheels at all times - so 90% to the front wheels - 10% to the rears.

When the VC detects slip in the front wheels (ie the front propeller shaft connected to the IRD (transfer case - front diff) is turning faster than the rear propellor shaft which is connected to the rear diff - the VC is between the two shafts) it locks and privides drive to the rear giving a 50/50 split.

So to the opening thread - with BOTH front wheels off the ground and the the car trying to drive the VC should detect the front propellor shaft turning faster than the stationary rear shaft and start to lock up - however if this was done at idle it would be like an auto transmission stopped at traffic lights - the VC would still be slipping. The greater the revs the more the VC will lock. So if the engine was left at idle it doesn't surprise me drive was not at the rear wheels - by the way what would have happened if the VC did lock and drive would your car come crashing down.

Now to the second post by the originator - the rear wheels spinning without the fronts - I don't believe this is possible - the fronts would have spun first then the rears and when both wheels are travelling at the same speed the VC would disengage - the most likely scenario was the rear wheels spinning and the front wheel on the other side also spinning with the front wheel being watched not spinnning. You haven't indicated what L series you have so it may not have traction control - however even if you have it, it does not work until it completes the ABS test procedure on start up which requires a speed of about 7 kph. (or front wheels spinning at that equivalent speed).

Does you car still have the VC fitted? When the VC fails it locks - not the other way around.

Check to see if the VC is working - the best way is to put the car in first gear, jack up the drivers rear wheel, release the handbrake and remove the wheel.

There is a huge hub nut and put on a socket and using a breaker bar - you will need one about 2ft long - then apply a steady and heavy force in a clockwise direction. The wheel will slowly turn - don't under estimate the "steady" pressure required - it will not move much but it will turn - slow and steady is required - short bursts do not work.

If the wheel does not turn the VC is locked.

The easier way is to put a chalk mark on the VC then take the car for a drive and if the chalk marks still line up the VC has locked up solid.

The VC comprises two main components - a damper - ring about 2" wide and slightly larger diameter than the VC - the VC is about 6 or 7" in diameter and about the same long - chalk mark the VC and damper so the marks align and go for a drive - they should no longer line up. If they do line up - do the test again.

Symptoms of locked VC - stalling of the engine when reversing with the front wheels on lock - feels like the handbrake is still on. Sometimes there is uneven tyre wear.

On a Freelander having all wheels/tyres the same size is important - so wheel rotation is an absolute must to keep tyres at the level of wear.

So some of the information posted does seem contridictory but the above information might help.

Cheers

Garry

I agree with Gary totally. You cannot have only the rear wheels turning. One rear and one front yes. Assuming the front diff is ok.

Both front wheels should not spin the same direction when off the ground off and in gear. The car is essentially front wheel drive with a PTO.

The ratio between front and rear diff speeds transfers power back, in reality a good nick VC should put 100% power to the back if the front wheels both freespin.

Also, on the note of cracked chassis, where is it? I have never heard of it, even from cars that rally. Its a monocoque so a crack would be rare, but scary if its true. Perhaps a picture would be good.

Sand driving in a freelander means keep speed. Once you stop, so does rear wheel drive, as the ratio between front wheel speed and rear wheel speed is zero:zero. Simply be throttle happy and the traction and VC will keep you well out of mischief.

Cheers!

EDIT: IF I recall correctly I think its meant to have a front LSD, and I dont believe any Au Freelanders did /not/ have ETC.

No drive to the front and spinning rear wheels makes no sense unless some really drastic internal drama/modifications have occured.

Jack both rear wheels into the air, start it up and stick it in gear.
If it falls over, drive is available to the front wheels.
If it doesn't fall over and the rear wheels are spinning you have a unique vehicle, or the front drive shafts are missing.

Originally Posted by beforethevision

EDIT: IF I recall correctly I think its meant to have a front LSD, and I dont believe any Au Freelanders did /not/ have ETC.

No FLs have a front LSD. I believe (but not absolutely sure) the base model di (or i for the petrol) did not have ABS, HDC, ETC or a passenger airbag as standard though most were optioned for these goodies. The XEDI and XEI came with everything as standard.

Cheers

Garry