Freelander rumble and resistance to reversing!

When you check yr owners manual which came with the car,it tells you to switch the tires from one side to the other on the same axle every,I think,5000 miles. Tyres are getting castellated , especially the Michelin XPC. I change mine every 4000 miles,and it's the trick. It's characteristic for the Freelander due to it's four wheel drive construction. Be glad yr steeringrack and engine mounting still was under warranty after 2 yrs.

Kees

According to the tyre manufacturers you should never swap sides of the vehicle with radial tyres - they should always be kept rotating in the same direction as the cords start to load up with use and are weakened if then loaded in the opposite direction.

My Volvo manual says exactly that. And always rotate the best tyres to the rear.

My not-quite-half-worn Pirelli P6000 on the Volvo have a noticeable step effect in them, which is due to the cross-braces twisting slightly I am told.

Thanks for info everybody. I will try swapping the tyres about and see what combination works, if any at all.

Anybody any idea on the hesitant reversing situation?

Stew

The dealer is, in this case, telling the truth :-)

Freelanders cause the rear tyres to develop steps in the outside of the tread. If you look carefully at the tyres you can normally spot it - the outside treads are wedge shaped. It's a result of the transmission type and is what they call a "design feature".

You can ignore it or change the tyres. Don't try putting them on the front as the vibration through the steering wheel makes your hands go numb...

You might want to check that the front tyres aren't binding/rubbing against anything when on full lock. Other than that it's probably just a result of the front CV joints being less efficient at or near full lock combined with the power steering putting extra load on the engine. Remember that this is essentially a transverse engined, front wheel drive car.

cheers

Dave W.

Thanks for the advice, If, according to tyre manufacturers, I shouldn't change from one side to the other, and front to back is a bad idea; looks like a new set of boots before my up coming caravan tow to spain!!!

Thanks, Stew

Thought it was mentioned in the user manual to switch the wheels from one side to the other on the same axle. It's not there where I read it,but it's in the service check list for the LR-dealer. They are changing ONLY on the rear axle from one side to the other.The front wheels are mounted on the same place they were. This is happening every time yr Freelander is in the LR workshop. So, when it's that dangerous to change the wheels,why are they doing it in the workshop-- several times during the tires life --- and I've never heard of any problems occuring. I've done it quite some time now,and it works great.When I start hearing the tires,I switch them,and after some time the sound has dissapeared. I think this is the only way to have full usage of yr XPC tires. By the way ... friend of mine also owns a Freelander,he has fitted Bridgestone Dueller tires,and he doesn't have the castellating problem...

Kees

The tyres that are fitted are pretty badly stepped. If the LR dealer is suppossed to swap them round, they haven't. It has been in the workshop 8 times since March!!!!

Stew.

Swapped rear tyres over yesterday, sounds worse now! Probably too stepped to save.

Stew.

Hi Stew,

Give it some miles, after some time you'll notice the sound is dissapearing.

Yes I had a noise and vibration problem with the rear tyres. They looked fine and had plenty of tread left. Dealer swopped rear wheels with another vehicle just to prove that was it. New tyres cured it.

It's possible that one or more of the front/rear brake pads/shoes are sticking on and need releasing. Does it happen on a different lock? or when your reversing in a straight line? I think you need to check your brakes out. Your saying "not having to brake" might indicate just such.

RTFM - it's the viscous coupling and perfectly normal.

Manchester.

The brakes are fine. Someone not on the NG has told me it is the viscous coupling too. Thanks chaps. Syew.