Had a call from LR today asking how my wirring noise was and was it sorted now etc. I said yes everything was now OK. They guy said that they had replaced the rear diff bearing and also the front diff. I seem to be getting mixed messages about what has actually been done so I crawled underneath and took a picture of this shiny looking object behind the engine.

Does anyone know what this is?

That's the transfer box.

I said earlier that LR had called to ask if I was happy with the car after the repair. I said yes it seems OK now. However, this morning my son called to say that he thinks that the noise is still there only quieter. I called LR and they said that I have had the "low level" repair done on the diff and that I might need to have the whole lot changed. As an interim measure and to ensure that it's not also a tyre problem I am going to swap the rears with my other FL2 at the weekend which has new Wranglers on it.

I wonder if anyone has ever had a death certificate with "worrying about his Freelander" cited as the cause?

Its not good. In fact it's rubbish. Parts like diffs, Haldexs etc simply shouldn't fail if designed & built adequately. I've taken several cars to 180k+ miles with virtually nothing wearing out. Even a Peugeot 107 which did 186k with no faults at all before the clutch diaphragm spring broke! I'm probably getting rid of my FL2 before the inevitable. Pity as I REALLY like the car, I just can't live with the prospect of major mechanicals failing as they seem to do. It detracts from the pleasure of owning the car. Each to their own...

I am a great believer in replacing fluids sooner than recommended, I also think that a lot of issues are caused by low fluid levels. I have replaced all fluids in mine and the Haldex fluid was lower than it should have been. I have run the car for a couple of months then rechecked the levels and all is good, but it is such an easy job to check that I will checking mine annually especially as the car is doing more miles now I own it. I think that because LR don't recommend checking the levels for quite some time then these get overlooked, it is possible that some of the issues experienced would be due to excessive ware caused by low fluid. Just my opinion based on what I have found on my car and as it is a costly investment for me at least, it makes sense to ensure everything is as good as it can be.

littletriple wrote:

Its not good. In fact it's rubbish. Parts like diffs, Haldexs etc simply shouldn't fail if designed & built adequately. .

RichP wrote:

I am a great believer in replacing fluids sooner than recommended, I also think that a lot of issues are caused by low fluid levels. I have replaced all fluids in mine and the Haldex fluid was lower than it should have been. I have run the car for a couple of months then rechecked the levels and all is good, but it is such an easy job to check that I will checking mine annually especially as the car is doing more miles now I own it. I think that because LR don't recommend checking the levels for quite some time then these get overlooked, it is possible that some of the issues experienced would be due to excessive ware caused by low fluid. Just my opinion based on what I have found on my car and as it is a costly investment for me at least, it makes sense to ensure everything is as good as it can be.

Just to update this with my progress with my similar problem. Called my local dealer who have booked it in for middle of next month (next time their courtesy car is free - I need one). On description they say likely diff issues which they expect to be covered by extended warranty.

Good news is they can normally diagnose very quickly so no diagnostics fee.

As the courtesy car is a 64 reg SE TD4, they can take as long as they like

Just a wee update on this

http://www.freel2.com/forum/post254938.html#254938

what is your cars mileage?

About 33000 miles. One of the first facelift 2011 models registered Dec 2010.

60 reg 49k miles

My son called in this evening to say that the rear diff noise is back after about 300 miles. He said he even had someone in the car today who asked if the rear diff was going. Looks like I will be on the phone to LR in the morning again. What a joke!

Just got the car back today, this time they have replaced a wheel bearing. Car seems OK now, however it's a bit odd that they replace the transfer box and diff pinion bearing and it goes quiet for a few days then the noise comes back with a vengeance and this time it's a wheel bearing. Coincidence?

Exactly the same happened with me, both replaced in very close order. Strange indeed.