carty Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 hi new on here so hello. got a 2003 freelander had it for aroumd 9 months and its been brillant, great mpg tows my caravan with ease and haD NO ISSUES AT ALL. but recently i have heard a slight grumbling /whinning noise on and off sounds like maybe ird. it is not always there but it tends to happen at speeds over 60 ish i let off and within a few mins all is well again. marked the prop shaft when i brought the car and my white marks are still aliegned so dont think its vcu. any suggestions thanks carty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EggNChips Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 You say that the marks are still aligned? Then the VCU is seized and needs replaced. Take the propshaft off now to save any further wear on the IRD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carty Posted December 9, 2014 Author Share Posted December 9, 2014 thanks for reply, well i thought the way to test the vcu was mark a straight line across the coupling joint in the centre of the prop shaft and mark a line across the two. if the line moves then the vcu is slipping and needs replacing if it does not then its fine. is that the case??? or have i got it wrong cheers carty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carty Posted December 9, 2014 Author Share Posted December 9, 2014 thanks old hand just checked a few threads and realised it was the shafts i should have marked . will re mark and check plus might do the rear wheel check. the whinning soud is not always there . and the car drives very qiute and the gearbox shifts nice. there is no sound of bangs etc when reversing ether. i dont really go off road so would it be safe to remove the prop shaft and run in 2wd?? opinion seems split.. i see bell eng are now offering a 2wd ird unit which sounds a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EggNChips Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Removing the prop will not harm the vehicle and will give a slight improvement in MPG & will save wear on the IRD box. It may tend to wheelspin a little easier, but not excessivley so. I have used Freelanders with the prop removed for years when the IRD box was damaged, but if it's not 4WD, then why have a Freelander...... To be 100% safe, you should probably inform your insurance company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave88sw Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 The vcu is designed to slip, it just limits the amount it can slip... A good test is to reverse with the steering on full lock, if it feels like the brakes have been applied, the vcu is seized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carty Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 checked the vcu using the white mark method and all is fine. tyre pressure was very low 10psi on one rear wheel so i think it may have been that. will take her for a long run and see. plus the two front tyres are showing slightly more wear then the front. so might change all 4 soon. will also check the ird gear level on monday when im back at work. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOA 93 Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 I get this grumbling and whining noise in all my cars........but its only when the wife is in the passenger seat Hat, coat...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwakers Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 oi, that was MY joke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carty Posted December 16, 2014 Author Share Posted December 16, 2014 well its fine now very quite )) tyre pressures was the culprit. swapped the front and rears around aswell. and after 8 months of ownership still lovin the freebie. which for me is rare. i have owned about 50 odd cars serial car changer but i love the ride feel and fuel mpg combo. and i have just had my private plate fitted too so its here to stay. ))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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