Yeah, it was only after running with the driveshafts removed I realised (and mentioned above) that the drive shaft when in place with its bolt probably pulls the bearings together - hence why I was feeling like it was wandering!!

Also, the brakes have been discounted from the problem as I had them all a part when rotating the hubs.

Will have to drop the diff and haldex for a closer inspection, but that is next weeks job!

So, had the chance to remove the diff this weekend and take a gander....

Also, I removed the outer CV joint cups and installed in the rear wheel hubs to retain the bearings correctly!! (oops!)

As can be seen in the video - the cause has been found, and I shudder to think what would have happened if the input gear had locked the diff solid rather than just giving it a heavy whack....if happened on a motorway just heading to a slip road too....I still wince now I can see what has happened and what could have happened....

Enjoy the vid

this diff must of had horrible weird noises before it packed up,ive never known this happen so sudden,im in the trade so seen most things!

Thanks for the excellent video. I'd have never thought a rear diff pinion bearing could just go bang like that.
Every day is a school day.

I wonder if that rear diff has suffered from the inadequate, in my opinion, servicing inherent in JLR maintenance schedule; with water causing internal corrosion.
Draining and replacing the diff lube annually, like we did on old Landys, might have prevented this; if only to get the water out.

It has reminded me to service my haldex and diffs later this year. Jules

My diff seized solid at 45MPH, which was pretty scary. I'm glad that I was alone, and the wife wasn't using it with the kids in there too.

I had no choice but to replace it, as the tail bearing was welded solid. It was noisy, but not having a Freelander 2 before, didn't know how much noise was normal.

The replacement diff (from an Evoque) had a new tail bearing fitted before I installed the diff into the car. I now know that the diff should be silent, and so will investigate any future noise from the diff immediately. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate. The family car.
2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Gone.
2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE. Gone.
Audi A5 convertible, my daily driver.
1972 Hillman Avenger GT, the project.

I drilled the base of the diff and fitted a drain plug, there is a flat section designed for the very purpose.
Drained the oil every service, diff was still silent at 185k. There's a reason why diff oil used to be changed every service or at least every other service - because you drain out the crap with the oil.
It doesn't matter if the oil is designed to last a million miles, if the oil is contaminated by water or metal particles, then it's no longer oil it's grinding paste. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

I wish I could drill and tap a plug in my current diff, I did this on the previous one but the case on the replacement is different.


Has anyone drilled through the bottom case bolt to fit a plug similar to the PTU mod ?

jules wrote:

If the haldex clutch is locked up then removing the prop would separate the PTU from the haldex unit and you will again have FWD only.

The PTU turns the output from the gearbox through 90° to drive the prop shaft. The clunking noise and shake sounds as if the splines from the gearbox to PTU have failed. The Haldex is engaged to give drive to the rear differential when you pull away from a standstill and disengages as you gain speed, but is ready to re-engage if a front wheel loses grip.

Thank you for that.

I guess PTU must stand for something like power transfer unit. Helpful to know the Haldex engages when you move off because I was on concrete and it did feel exactly like I was turning with 4WD locked. That would explain why. Ironically, I had been chugging along for hours at 55m.p.h. and not caning it at all so was VERY surprised to get transmission failure!

It does look very inaccessible in there but I guess I have little option but to have a look, sigh. Component failures on this car have taken away all my enthusiasm for it.