Just had my rear diff (and Haldex service ) done by Bell Engineering , what a great service the guys offer, and really good price in comparison with a new diff from Land Rover.
It is amazing to actually not hear anything but a bit of agricultural diesel noise from the engine, no more whines and no more sounds like a jet engine taking off !!!

Interesting thing as well is the MPG has risen from average 29 MPG to 36 MPG , I can only assume that the old diff was that bad it was causing some kind of drag, no idea if that is possible but it has definitely improved massively.

Anyway, big shout out to Bell Engineering, and if anyone is thinking of getting theirs done ,don't go Land Rover , Go Bell !

cheers

Chris

I've not heard a bad word about Austin.
He sorted mine out while I waited. Gets a big from me.

Great guys and a great service at a very good price, not heard anything but good news from the customers who go there  2014 Freelander 2 XS TD4
Firenze Red

Thank you Asten, helped to sort my Haldex problem over the phone.

As a non mechanical person, how do you know the rear diff is knackered and can you then drive it to be repaired or is it a transport job.

Not always easy to know if it diff / wheel bearing or I believe Haldex. Plenty of posts in this forum that go into rear diff problems, maybe search through to ease your mind.

I had both a front offside wheel bearing and a diff problem, horrible humming/whining noise , bit like a jet plane taking off , sounded like from the front offside, as it got worse I could feel it through the footwell.
I changed the front bearing hub myself, that got rid of a lot of the noise and the feeling from the footwell but the wheel bearing was masking the diff noise and there was still a horrible humming noise, and still sounded like it was from the front. I went to a Land Rover indy who did a test drive and said the rear diff bearing is shot, I did about a 1500 miles on it from when I 1st heard the noise, then booked it into Bell Engineering. They then do a thorough diagnostics before confirming it was the diff. They then replaced it and at the same time changed the Haldex oil & Filter.
Regarding driving it there or transporter, I guess it depends on how bad yours is, if it has only just started whining/humming then chances are you have a few thousand miles or maybe more to drive before it gives up.
If you aren't sure then give Bell Engineering a ring, they are really helpful and give great advice.
They also replace it with a better heavy duty bearing in the diff rather than the standard Land Rover chocolate bearing.
Hope that helps
cheers
Chris

So how far of a drive is the shop from San Diego?

Thanks, I don’t think I have any trouble yet just wondering how you all knew. I admit to being a turn the radio up louder driver, haha

Looks like I'm making the trip from, Norfolk very soon. 220 miles can anyone recommend an overnight place to stay?

There is a place in/near Norfolk ran by someone called Sue (known to Bell) who offer similar service. Cant for the life of me know the name but it specialises in freelanders.
Someone on here may know this place.

OLOSTEVE wrote:

Looks like I'm making the trip from, Norfolk very soon. 220 miles can anyone recommend an overnight place to stay?

AT1963 wrote:

There is a place in/near Norfolk ran by someone called Sue (known to Bell) who offer similar service. Cant for the life of me know the name but it specialises in freelanders.
Someone on here may know this place.

Sad to say, Nobert has had a fall and is in hospital.
My thoughts go out to, Sue, for he's speedy return to full health.

just ordered diff from bell for my wifes fl2 so a busy day for me when that arrives  2009 FL2 S now gone
2011 FL2 HSE AUTO
2012 FL2 XS AUTO
2000 Kawasaki er 5

I did my own rebuild, as I couldn't be bothered shipping diffs about the country.
It cost me under £100 for the parts, and a couple of hours to do the rebuild. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate. The family car.
2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Gone.
2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE. Gone.
Audi A5 convertible, the daily driver.
1972 Hillman Avenger GT, the project.