Freelander 2 2013 SD4 Auto

I'm trying to isolate a new noise. Rotational Noise but not engine related only increases with speed even when in neutral going down a hill - noise increases as normal. Cannot be heard when stationary revving engine. Perhaps sounds like something not lubricated, more a rubbing noise not a grinding noise and no change when cornering. Two new front wheel bearings four years ago.

Prior to the noise I had what I thought was brakes grinding really badly like stones caught up inside pads. This happened once when I stopped and then again once I began driving again but then nothing. There is a groove etched into nearside rear brake disc so assumed this was the culprit but the noise really felt like it was from the front of the car.

Some time ago had the front offside outer drive shaft gator reattached as it had been off for some time. I assume mechanic cleaned it out and regreased it prior to securing again. In my ignorance wondering if perhaps driveshaft splines have sheared? And that was the grinding? And now it makes a constant noise? Dunno.

Lifted front end up car in neutral and while I could turn the front wheel it wouldn't spin and when spun forward and backwards quickly there was a clunking under the engine and what sounded like the propshaft clunking? Should the wheels spin freely in Neutral?

My Mechanic cannot hear the noise.....but it does exist and it's new but I can understand how someone else may not hear it. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Yes, if both front wheels are in the air, they should turn in opposite directions. Even in “P”. Maybe to check the splines you could lift the rear of the car with front wheels on the ground and try to rotate the propshaft in "P". It should not rotate.

Hi,


Thanks for that....I've only jacked up one side so far and in Neutral it didn't spin but clunked back and forth....I just thought in Neutral the wheels are disconnected from the gearbox and could spin freely. Far too much jiggery pokery going on I guess.

It depends, how much mechanical tension the haldex have. With one wheel in the air, the propshaft has to turn also. So the haldex has to separate the rear axle completly.
Sadly, I can't remember how my car behave in that situation, and it's a 2008 with older haldex I guess.

I don't believe that the any of the 4 Wheels of a FL2 will spin freely.

They all remain connected to the front or rear diff respectively and so always have some gear drag.

I know because it made checking for bearing noise, by the AA, practically impossible, when car was off ground.

I also believe that either Haldex model has drag or preloading at all times.

Road Speed Noise is quite often Rear Diff Nose Bearing or even (worn?) Tyres, but that presents constant drone. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 82k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

@IanMetro

Correct for jacking only one wheel at a time. If jacking both wheels of the axle, they surely spin free, but in opposite directions because of the differential.
But I guess you meant it that way.

It's your word Spin that I query.

Yes they will move, but the gearing drag on my car makes it hard to get up any speed.

I cannot get them to a spin freely and fast enough to say diagnose a faulty bearing.

Myself (and then the AA man) had to try driving and manoeuvring to load up the various 4 corners of the car. ---- All proved OK ---- as it was the Diff Nose Bearing that had failed. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 82k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

Don't know what "speed" you expect, but that is exactly the way technician at the MOT testing the bearings, at least here in Austria.

Thanks for all the replies......I'll keep listening and looking.....I suppose whatever it is will have to fail a bit more before I know what it is.....which is annoying.

It appears impossible to diagnose it while driving and listening as it could be so many things. It just seems connected somehow to the grinding noise I experienced when braking that time and since then I've been aware of this noise. hey ho......the mystery will resolve itself sooner or late. thanks.

Get hold of some chassis ears. Microphones you attach to suspect parts of the car so you can pinpoint where the noise is coming from.