Thread: im wanting to buy a freelander

98 model had dodgy IRD ratio's which lead to the Viscous Coupling failing regularly.

mind you at 190k this may (or may not) have been fixed???

Look underneath the car and see if it actually has a prop-shaft going to the rear diff.
If not, the VCU has failed and been removed, and the IRD is probably not up for 4WD.
If there is a propshaft, it may have had a failed IRD and been renewed, listen hard for whining noises in the driveline especially under engine braking.
Or possibly nothing has been removed or replaced and the VCU is seized or due to go, and driving on it is shagging the IRD output bearings...

Motor-wise, I believe the L-series diesels are very reliable and durable but yes, before 2000, be suspicious of the VCU and IRD. Plenty of info on this if you google for it.

*edit: Quick way to test the VCU if it's there: put the car in reverse and turn at full lock. The difference in wheel speeds should make the VCU grip and the engine will labour slightly. If it's locked solid however, the engine will have real trouble and probably almost stall.

sorry...would not touch one. I know a tech at a local LR agent. They have rebuilt gearboxes to cycle through the early Freelanders. Buyer beware I reckon

Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

sorry...would not touch one. I know a tech at a local LR agent. They have rebuilt gearboxes to cycle through the early Freelanders. Buyer beware I reckon

Sorry, the early Freelander diesel would be my pick of the bunch. I've been involved with them out here since dot & the gearbox is not the achilles heel.

Check the tyres. If they are brand new, I'd be suspicious. If they are bady feathered, it needs an IRD and/or VCU. Front/rear doesn't matter as you don't know if it's had a tyre rotation.

what is ird?? lol sorry

how much is it to replace vcu and ird???

thanks for that boys ill go down and have another look most likely

is that all worth cheaking regarding major faults

Originally Posted by -jacob-

what is ird?? lol sorry

Intermediate Reduction Drive.
Basically a transfer case to direct drive to all 4 wheels.

LR designed a slight ratio difference between front & rear to overcome wind up issues but went a bit too far in the difference. Later cars had the F/R difference reduced.

A lot of early cars have had the IRD replaced, either under warranty or outside but I'm sure there are a few floating around that haven't.

so to test the vcu
u go in reverse on full lock and if it feels like the hand brake is on that means its gone, is that how it to detect a seized vcu?