Here is an odd one for you.

Last week I finished a 5 day crossing of the Simpson Desert - 1100 sand dunes interspersed with claypans. What made it really interesting was that some of the desert had 3 inches of rain while I was there, which is half a year's rainfall. That turned it into a tricky and sticky mud bash. The desert clay/sand mix is incredibly sticky when wet.

After 3 days the car developed the judders. When turned on there was a noticeable vibration. This was when the car was stationary and happened when any of Park, Neutral, Reverse or Drive were selected, so the problem was occurring before Drive was engaged and therefore, presumably, not caused by a transmission problem. I began to worry.

We checked the electronic fuel injection connections to the injectors and they seemed OK. The engine ran willingly so it seemed OK too.

On the last day we crossed Eyre Creek with about 500mm of water in it. The judders stopped immediately.

So what caused the problem. Could mud have got onto a fan blade or a pulley or what? Someone suggested it might have got into the torque converter. Is that possible?

By the by, I pulled a Toyota Landcruiser out of a bog and never needed a tow out myself. I also overheard some "real" 4 WD's on the radio saying how surprised they were with the performance of the Freelander.

Any ideas about the Mud problem?

a bit of mud packed into a drive belt pulley? At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Thanks CG.

Yes, that's possible.

What about the torque coverter suggestion? Can mud get in there?

The reference to the Toyota Landcruiser was for your benefit. Do I get readmitted to the forum? Is it OK to travel with Landcruisers for the purpose of saving them?

I think it's safe to say what ever it was got washed off by the water

My guess is mud attched to something with caused an imbalance in it rotating, a RRSport member had similar when his wheels got crud from the salted roads last winter Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I was going to say mud in the wheels, but then you mentioned it happening stationary.

I'd go with mud somewhere, causing the balance to be out, but I'd doubt it'd be inside something, or you'd expect a lot more issues.

Also, have you got any good pics of the Fl offroad from your trip? Sounds like a fantastic way to spend 5 days.

The judders turned out to be caused by some fine wire that had wrapped around the tail shaft. This then filled with mud and that caused the tail shaft to be a little out of balance. When I went through the river the mud must have washed out of the wire and the balance problem disappeared.

An unusual problem which caused me to worry at the time but not at all serious.

If by "tail shaft" you mean the driveshaft that transfers power from the engine to rear Haldex and differential, then look elsewhere for your vibration problem.
When stationary, that driveshaft isn't rotating at all, so it can't create the vibrations.
In fact no shafts are spining when the car is stationary.

RVG,
Looks like you had a great time, Glad the car sorted, Any photo's of the fun you had ??