I have been looking at buying a 57 plate FL2. Before I took it for a test drive the dealer contacted me saying there was a noise coming from the Rear diff. Mostly likely bearings. I had the test drive anway, noticed the all be it very faint quiet whine and they said they would replace the bearing.

Cue 2nd phone call to say that the bearing replacement had improved it but not got rid of the sound completely so they were replacing the entire rear diff.

Today I am told that they have traced the issue to the fact one of the wheels at the back is 'balanced wrong' and because one side is entering the diff at a different speed to the other its causing the whine.

Has anyone else heard of this at all or even understand it???

Due to pick the car up tomorrow.

Hi There driftpuma
Ive Never Heard Of That Excuse Before
Are They Trying To Windle The way Out Of The Expense !
Its Quite A Common Problem With The Freelander 2 To Have A Noisey Diff Assembly
Im In The Process Of Have My Rear Diff Assembly Replaced
Its Not A Cheap Job ,I Would Keep On The Case If I Was You
Have You Got A warranty With The Vehicle?
Bazza Boy

Presumably what they mean is that the tyres are at different stages of wear so the wheels aren't quite the same size. Sounds a bit weird though. If they have replaced the entire diff then it's probably OK - sounds like they are being honest with you at least. The other possible sources are wheel bearings (not too major) and the Haldex unit (major!). If you buy it, make sure they give you a cast iron warranty, and that it covers those items.

Of course if what they say is true, they could just put two new tyres on the back and the noise will disappear. Won't it?

Bazza Boy: I havnt brought the vehicle yet, just a deposit and they are sorting it before I pick it up. So they are not trying to shirk the work at all. The opposite infact but we will see tonight.

PM: Thanks for those - I will ask about those parts today. Its an approved Land Rover Used vehicle so comes with the standard used vehicle promise that they have. Regard to your comment about the tyres thats what they say they are going to do in time for me arriving today. I intend to have a full re-test drive before I sign anything on the dotted line but thanks for your advice.

One other possible controbutor is the tyres themselves; Rears tend to feather or castellate where alternate tread blocks around the tyre wear differently due to alignment or balance issues.
A further belt and braces to elimiate your rear end whine is to have the dealer fit 2 new rear tyres, nicely balanced to "0" on the balancer using the minimum amount of weights!
I speak from experience of odd tyre wear and eventual diff nose bearing replacment! Gone... 2013 XS TD4 Manual Firenze Red
Gone... 2008 (09MY) XS Td4 Manual Stornaway Grey
Prior... 2003 G4 Discovery 2, 1998 Disco 1 and 1997 Disco 1 Company car before that
Also gone in Nov'13, after 7.5 yrs, to new owners with time for more TLC - 1980 Series III 88
Current 2015 Discovery Sport HSE 2.0

Chris B wrote:

One other possible controbutor is the tyres themselves; Rears tend to feather or castellate where alternate tread blocks around the tyre wear differently due to alignment or balance issues.

Hi Driftpuma
Did You take Delivery Of The freelander 2 Then ?
How was Your Final Test Drive ?
Had They Solved the Noise From The Rear?
If So Did You Find Out What They Did To Rectify !
Many Thanks
Bazza Boy