My Freelander 2 SE was purchased recently fom a local 4x4 specialist dealer. Although @ 75.5K, it has FLRSH, with last service (Stxxxstones Stockton on Tees) at 74,284 and new tyres (Wranglers) at 74,078. It drove very smoothly on test and, a day after I brought it home we departed with caravan (apologies CG!) on a 500 mile round trip. All superb, a great tow car and a delightful ride. I recently bought a second set of wheels on fleabay with a view to fitting winter tyres. As there was some remaining good rubber (+2mm on 2 x Michelins, +4mm on 2 x Wranglers) I fitted them to use the rubber before winter (with the 4mm tyres on back). Immediately I noticed (or sensed) some transmission noise and after a 20 mile or so drive felt some judder suggesting the axles were "winding up". I have only felt similar (many) years ago with Military Land Rovers and 4x4 TK Bedfords when 4wd was left selected on tarmac. Today, although feeling slighly smoother I also noticed some "whistling" noises when backing on to my driveway. All this suggests to me the car may be locked in 4wd. (TR is set at "General") A further check of the SH shows tyre expenditures (all Kwik Fit Fleet) at 37-39K (£650); 56K (£760); 72K (£440) and 74K (£607). A worrying amount of tyre cost! What checks can I do myself before I go back to the dealer? 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

It's ALWAYS in 4wd. Tyre costs seem about right too. Rubber isn't getting any cheaper, and at £150 per corner for a quality tyre, those prices seem reasonable. Current driveway contents:
2021 V60 Cross Country B5
2009 FL2 dog bus and shooting wagon

On Order: 2023 Fisker Ocean Ultra - deposit paid.

Put the original wheels back on.

Swingwing wrote:

Put the original wheels back on.

I was going to suggest the same - put the original wheels back on and see if the problem changes or goes away.

The FL2 is permanent 4WD with a very clever/intelligent system for directing torque to the wheels were needed. There was a statement/thought by some members that the balance of drive/power was about 80/20 front to rear. 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Swingwing wrote:

Put the original wheels back on.

Swingwing wrote:

Put the original wheels back on.

The car will select full 4WD when moving off, I would imagine also in reverse, the torque split is then done when travelling at speed with the rear wheels all but disengaged until needed to conserve fuel.

I have read somewere, maybe on here, that the haldex unit doesnt like tyres with different tread levels as it changes the rolling radius, I know 2mm isnt much but it will certainly place stresses on the drivetrain if you suddenly have 4 different rolling radii, it wont just take it in its stride without some sort of effect. Certainly sounds plausible to me.

Put the originals back on, if it solves the problem then you have 4 ebay items on your hands

Thanks for the quick replies guys! Perhaps I did not make myself clear - I am well aware we have full time 4wd on the Freelander (unlike the Series 2s etc) - BUT I understood differences between front and rear tyre wear as I described can be accommodated with this system. Surely I should not be experiencing judder akin to axle wind up when on tarmac roads? Also, I have noted from other owners and posts on this Forum that it is not unreasonable to get 30,000 miles from a set of tyres. This is evidenced from the first tyre changes on my car being at 37K. For it then to reduce to 15K surely indicates a problem? I am confident that refitting the original wheels will return things to normal but am I hiding a problem that will revisit me at a later date? 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Hmm, first set of tyres will have been decent branded ones, does it say on the receipts what make was fitted subsequently?
Kwik fit fleet suggests a company car whose owner may not have given much consideration to it, the last set of tyres, which you say sound OK are Wranglers, the ones in the interim period may have been a budget brand depsite the cost showing otherwise?

Good luck in your quest and hope it turns out to be something and nothing.

Have you had the wheels from ebay balanced? 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

taz. I do not have itemised receipts, just a spreadsheet printout. I see where you are coming from, however IME, lease companies, although very price concious, normally stick to premium brands, evidenced by the Wranglers fitted when bought. I too, hope it turns out to be "something & nothing"!

simont. Good point, although these wheels were directly removed from an SE whose owner moved up to 19" rims. Having met the owner, I have every reason to assume the wheels were perfectly good when removed. Also, I have no symptoms of imbalance in the normal way one would expect.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

I'm inclined to agree with simont, get them balanced could be that one of the rims is warped/trashed, could be the reason previous owner traded up to 19s

Ghyllie, it may be possible, but rims look unmarked. I gave them a good check over when I power washed and polished them up. Not a mark or evidence of "kerbing" on them. Previous owner was a caravanner not an off roader! I'll most likely refit the originals and balance up the other rims when I fit the winter boots.

Good to see all replies have been very positive - suspecting the new rims/tyres and not the Haldex etc. Makes me feel very positive about the future with my Freelander! Thank you all!  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

No point in further discussion until you refit the originals and see whether the problem is cured. All advice suggests that you should never use secondhand tyres as you don't know where they've been (although that falls down if you buy a used car of course). Short tyre life in the past could be down to bad driving, tyre damage, incorrect pressures. Since you should ideally change all four tyres at the same time on this car, it may just be that the fleet owner sent it out for "a set of tyres". I've known that happen in the past. However nice the guy you bought the wheels from may have seemed, he may have been selling the tyres because they were noisy or damaged!

Past master wrote:

No point in further discussion until you refit the originals and see whether the problem is cured.