Hi!

I’m new here and hoping to buy a Freelander 2 very soon. Seen a few now and today saw one that seems almost perfect. The only thing that is worrying me is it is a little ‘twitchy’ when going round roundabouts, the steering just very gently try’s to pull back. The car also pulls left slightly when the steering is straight but I put this down to tracking. I have read about various steering issues with the Freelander but cannot find any one else that has had this issue which leads me to think maybe it’s a non issue..

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated, quite keen to get into a Freelander now but don’t want to take on someone else’s problems!

Steering to the left or right can be just a sticking pad, mine started to do this in Cyprus because we never braked hard, I just used to stamp on the brakes hard when it appeared, that cured it, perhaps the the apparent twitchy steering is part of the same problem. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Check for tyre wear and tyre pressures.

Ok guys thank you for the replies. I’ll have to look into that! In the back of my mind I worry it’s steering rack related!

JW1995 wrote:

Hi!

I’m new here and hoping to buy a Freelander 2 very soon. Seen a few now and today saw one that seems almost perfect. The only thing that is worrying me is it is a little ‘twitchy’ when going round roundabouts, the steering just very gently try’s to pull back. The car also pulls left slightly when the steering is straight but I put this down to tracking. I have read about various steering issues with the Freelander but cannot find any one else that has had this issue which leads me to think maybe it’s a non issue..

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated, quite keen to get into a Freelander now but don’t want to take on someone else’s problems!

So it’s a 61 plate sd4 le sport and it has done 98k miles. last MOT was completely clear. No sign of any issues with it other than that!

JW1995 wrote:

Ok guys thank you for the replies. I’ll have to look into that! In the back of my mind I worry it’s steering rack related!

That is incredibly helpful thank you!!

This may be relevant;
WROTE THIS IN MAY '22

Had Continental's cross contact as per original spec fitted in 2016; did 39,400 on deliberately downsized 17" wheels, across the whole of Europe, alps, Pyrenees, etc. Fantastic tyre, secure, smooth, stable. Changed them in 2019 for Pirelli all season; what a disaster. Thought there was something seriously wrong with alignment or steering mech,, had it checked three times. Car wandered all over the place with every change of road surface, potholes, white lines etc. I could even tell the sex of a dead bird! They failed MOT after 23,000 and changed back to Contis in May. What a staggering difference; the car is immediately back to it's stable, secure positive self with no wandering issues. Speak as you find by Continentals are now my default tyre.

Thankyou for that, interesting the massive difference tyres can make on the FL2! It does actually have contis on all 4 corners though!

Paul4751 wrote:

This may be relevant;
WROTE THIS IN MAY '22

Had Continental's cross contact as per original spec fitted in 2016; did 39,400 on deliberately downsized 17" wheels, across the whole of Europe, alps, Pyrenees, etc. Fantastic tyre, secure, smooth, stable. Changed them in 2019 for Pirelli all season; what a disaster. Thought there was something seriously wrong with alignment or steering mech,, had it checked three times. Car wandered all over the place with every change of road surface, potholes, white lines etc. I could even tell the sex of a dead bird! They failed MOT after 23,000 and changed back to Contis in May. What a staggering difference; the car is immediately back to it's stable, secure positive self with no wandering issues. Speak as you find by Continentals are now my default tyre.

So, the tracking and tyre pressures were all sorted before I bought the car. I test drove and the issues I had before were all gone! So this gave me faith that all was well in relation to the steering. Anyway got the car home and over the last few days have noticed that when the car warms up the steering goes heavy when parking etc at low speed.

Having done a bit of research I thought that maybe a reservoir and fluid change would cure it, I did this yesterday and although the steering feels better initially, again when hot it goes heavy.. there are no worrying noises that I can notice either.

I am now worried it is either the pump or rack now. Anyone have any thoughts?

Are your hoses in good condition? A few on here have had issues with power steering and changed pumps and racks and its been the hoses? Mine still gives issues but it will be getting a full overhaul in the coming months. Does your car wander or the steering wheel move excessively over minor bumps in the road if you let go of the steering wheel?

It was the Bevel box and Coupling on my 2009 FL2, it also grabbed on the back when cornering. I had the rear diff. and Haldex done as well to be sure. My daughter has the car now, and its got a shock absorber going now.