Surely you unfortunate FL2 owners are entitled under the sale of goods act can demand a replacement vehicle or your money back? that should put a squib up there A se! give em a bit of verbal threats:twisted: Freelander 2 - SE
Sumatra Black - TD4 -4X4 Jack Russel in boot.

Ok, I thought I would give the forum a little update on the suspension issues as I have noticed quite a few poor souls with similar suspension issues on this and other Freelander 2 Forums (please read my first entry for experienced symptoms). Since the last update I gave LR and my local dealer an ultimatum – to have the vehicle fixed by the beginning of May (As this has now been dragging on since September of last year). As others have experienced when the words; ’replacement vehicle’ are mentioned LR and the dealers usually blame each as why this is not a viable option. LR usually requires endless tests (stalling time) and dealers will usually reply with ‘we have done everything that has been asked of us in the bulletins, we are awaiting an update from LR’s technical support team’. LR will usually say the sales agreement was with the dealer and the dealer will say that LR are responsible for fulfilling the terms and conditions in the warranty. So from going round and round in circles I have concluded as long as there is some one else to blame then it’s always going to be someone else’s problem.

After the ultimatum was discussed with LR and the dealer a date was put in the diary to have the vehicle back in for more test (end of April) since I had three weeks to wait and I was going on a weeks holiday in another part of the UK ,I decided to get a second opinion. So I booked the vehicle in with a completely different larger Main dealer (ten mechanics, rolling roads etc). Initial indications where good ; I took the vehicle out with them for a test drive and I got lots of nodding head motions when I said; ‘did you here that’?. Anyway I got the vehicle back at the end of the day with a promise that they had fixed the knocking – the knocking was still present. I asked them what they had done and they said they had found a loose brake hose which they had put right and they had also re-greased both front struts. After half an hour of discussions it was quite clear they did not want to delve much deeper without being instructed by LR so it was left with the promise that if the vehicle had been available for a longer period of time they could have investigated it further.

Three weeks past and I took it in for its end of April booking with my local dealer, three days later, I was called with an update that they had pinpointed the knocking noise (8 months later) with sound equipment and they where ordering a new ‘wishbone’ due to a defect on the one on the vehicle (this ‘wishbone’ is not like the kind you image that stretches across from one wheel to the other and holds the engine in place. This ‘wishbone’ (s) is like a hinged arm that holds the strut and wheel assembly in place but still allows for full travel – there are obviously two one for each side.). According to the dealer the pivot point was what was making the knocking noise. I took it for a test drive and I was amazed with the differences in ride quality, no knocking, no steering wheel and pedal vibration. The vehicle felt like it did when we first got it. A week past and LR where on the phone wanting to close the issue, I told them that although the vehicle was driving a lot better there was still the outstanding issue of creaking struts; I told them until this issue was addressed I would not be satisfied in closing the issues. Three weeks have past with no booking date the creaking has got worst and the knocking in the last two week has become noticeable again, admittedly not as bad but it’s from the same area with a mild vibration in the pedals. So either it wasn’t the ‘wishbone’ or what ever they have tighten in replacing the’ wishbone’ has come loose again. LR have now been back on the phone wanting to know why the dealer has not been in touch to book it back in. The ultimatum was at the beginning of May, the dealer seems to have given up, LR are keen to get the vehicle back in before I turn around and say that’s it and we are now looking at alternatives.

The alternatives, well we have driven and compared a handful (VW,BMW,HONDA, and JEEP)) and none of them seem to be able to match the Freelander’s build quality, all round performance, size, image and upmarket utility feel). The closest I have come on all aspects other than size and performance is built by the same manufacturer; the Discovery 3 which ironically has a fantastic ride.

I have almost the same since the first months of ownership. Several visits at the dealer (2 different dealers actually) and nothing has been solved. Then the warranty expired and I kept trying to solve it with my mechanic but the fault is still there. Front suspensions sbuff on humps and holes, makes knockings that you can also feel on the sterring wheel. I'll post a video.


I 100% agree with those who said that LR economised way too much about suspensions, it's simple fact.

Apologies for bringing this one back from the dead....

I have replaced all the shocks and shock mountings with new bearings, new tie rod ends, new lower control arms and new tyres, all in the space of two months. Stabilizer bar and bushes are healthy, so are the stabilizer end links. Also had my FL2 aligned(a few times as new parts were fitted).

Still have the knock from hell when the wheel is at full extension.

Now moving onto Febi as Sidem was not able to solve the issue.

Here's some pics and a vid:

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If the noise, I’d describe it as a bang, is from the front, I get the same going over sleeping policemen (speed bumps) too fast. It is caused, as mentioned, by the poor design which doesn’t include a bump stop on full extension of the front suspension.

Yes.....my 2013 SD4 does this exact same thing......!!

Holy thread resurrection Batman


FWIW I think most cars will do the same if you hit a speed bump fast enough. Do many have bump stops for extension travel ? Jules

It is definitely the front shock strut bottoming out at full extension. This is exacerbated by the fact that the Freelander 2 has very little wheel travel. I have a 2010 Td4 and have had the problem since new - meaning it is not due to any worn or loose component. I have learnt to live with it and take any speed-bump or sudden deviation on the road surface a bit slower. The thump is serious and very disconcerting and still sometimes catches me out, especially on a badly rutted dirt road when the front wheel suddenly falls into a hole. I recently changed all four struts myself, and paid particular attention to possible sources of the thunk. I found no problems. The new struts are doing exactly the same. The thunk on full extension is very loud and really upsets my wife. It sounds like a loud metal-to-metal contact, and can only be caused by the shock absorber piston as this is the only thing that stops the strut extension. The thump will thus be internally on the shock absorber when the piston contacts the outer casing.
However, what is somewhat confusing, is the fact that it only happens on the front suspension- I have never experienced it on the rear. I cannot figure that out as the front and rear shock struts are identical. The only solution would be to install some type of damper or rubber cushion below the shock piston head bolt. If anyone has a bright idea or a link to a solution, I would be a very happy chappy. My FL2 now has 170k km and I intend to keep it as long as possible.