Thread: HELP! Shaft problems

Originally Posted by Harrry

Hi,
I have a 98' freelander turbo diesel. For the last month or so i have had a problem whereby when im driving at slower speeds (such as around town) there is a real thumping/ rumbling noise coming from under the gear stick. It normally lasts for a few seconds but sometimes 10 or more seconds. This grumbling noise is really strong and forceful, causing the car to literally shudder. It also tends to happen quite often when i let my foot off the accelerator and then stops rumbling once i put my foot back down on the accelerator. I have tried a few mechanics around town but they dont seem to know what it the problem is and say the shaft underneath looks ok. Any ideas?

Hi Harrry
I would check your viscous coupling, noise could be transmission wind up.
If the noise is happening and the time and place permit, stop and jack up one wheel slowly. Then just as the wheel starts to break traction, watch to see if that wheel tries to spin from the windup.

Cheers Arthur

Hi Harry
It sounds like you have viscous coupling problems as the other gent pointed out. To check if yours is faulty jack one rear wheel off the ground with the handbrake off and you should be able to turn the wheel by hand though it will have resistance. If it is solid then the coupling has failed, the problem with this is if it isn't picked up it then damages the IRD and/or rear diff. You would need someone working at landies to diagnose this on a wheel free ramp.
If the coupling checks out o.k the other common fault is the hanger bearings get noisy which is also best checked out by running car with all wheels off the ground
Hope this helps
Al.

Do a VCU check - should do it every 5000km check anyway - I have some pics and a vid on here explaining how to do it http://www.aulro.com/afvb/freelander...ander-vcu.html

Also could be the bearings that support the VCU or a UJ/CV on the propeller shafts.

Could also be engine mounts allowing the engine gearbox to move around.

HOWEVER - the symptoms you describe are indicative of failed rear diff mountings. The rear of the diff is supported by two rubber mounts but the front only has one and this flogs out very quickly (80-100k). Under differing load conditions this damaged front mount allows the diff to move around - causing loud knocking, rumbling and other noises depending on the load. This noise can travel along the prop shafts and sound as if it is coming from the front or under the gear lever. These are easy to check and relatively easy to replace.

Garry

It sound like you have done your IRD. Remove the tail shaft and see if the noise disappears. If it doses, the bearings in the IRD have failed and the crown wheel and pinion are jumping