Rubbing on front n/s tyre when turning right Freelander 2

[FL2]

Hi all,

I have a Freelander 2 (2010) that has a rubbing/ grinding noise comming from the front nearside (at least I think it is) only when turning right. The tyre has signs of slight cupping and wearing uneaven which I thought was the issue. I've since replaced the NS wheel bearing, wishbone assembly and steering ball joint including a new drive shaft for good measure. Swapped the tyres from the backs to the front and fitted two new back tyres and re-tracked the car, but I still get this issue which is driving me mad trying to work out what's causing the noise and why it's cutting the lifetime of my front NS tyre with cupping? The front shock absorbers show no signs of leaking and apear to function ok with no acessive bounce.

Is there anyone who can shed any light on what this problem might be and how to fix it?

Hoping that there is someone out there who knows the answer...

Regards
Roy

[ConnectionError]

take it to a garage to look over it

Diagnosis over the internet is very difficult and at best guesswork

[Decky_Q]

Guesses really without seeing the vehicle but checks to get started would be

Are the steering rods bent? Check with a straight edge.
When moving does it steer straight ahead with the steering wheel released and is the steering wheel centred when it does.
Looking at the adjustment of the steering links are they pretty even?
Taking the wheel off check if the arch liner has dropped, are all fasteners correct?
Are the wheels fitted the standard wheels with correct size tyres?

[FL2]

Hi Decky,

Many thanks for getting back to me.. I know it's very difficult to diagnose over the internet, but taking it to a garage for £400 just to do a Diag on it seems a tadge excessive.

In answer to your questions... Yes, yes and yes.... eveything is straight, had the tracking checked again as I replaced the steering ends trying to eliminate this issue. Tyres are correct (and been changed) Wishbone / bottom ball joint assembly replaced along with new steering knuckle with wheel bearing and lastly a new drive shaft. Disc rotor and caliper checked, not warped or sticking.

Just waiting for a magnetic base to put my Go-Pro camera under the car to see if there is something I can see moving as I've run out of ideas.

Thanks again

[Smint]

Couple of thoughts, wouldn't be the first person to have replaced parts on one side for the answer to lie the other side, not saying that's the case here but a mate and i swore blind he had a front wheel bearing failing one side, which turned out to be the inner race on the opposite side breaking up.

Measured accurately the wheelbase both sides from bearing center to bearing centre?

I often suggest to get a sensible friend to drive your car whilst you observe from another car what's happening over various surfaces, swap over drivers your mate might spot something you don't.

[Decky_Q]

I was on the assumption is was when steering was on full lock, is this correct? I would take the wheel off and have a look to see what it is rubbing on, if its plastic it will be rubbed/melted, if its metal it will be clean and shiny. Are the securing bolts for the rack present and tightened down? It could be pivoting when turning one direction.

I asked about the wheels being standard as I diagnosed a similar problem where the aftermarket alloy wheel offset was slightly different to standard which moved the inner of the wheel in less than an inch but enough to cause rubbing.

I wouldn't be charging £400 for diagnosis, it would take me an hour max to find the issue and that would just be charged at a standard hourly rate, I am positive you could find a garage near you on those terms too.

[Scrump]

As Decky said, if it is only rubbing on full lock then look for signs of where it has been rubbing. It might be as simple as the wheel arch liner has become loose and needs securing.

[FL2]

Thank you all for your great suggestions, but none are the reason for my rubbing noise. There's no physical signs of rubbing it doesn't sound like a typical metalic clunking noise like a UV joint would sound, rather more like its pulsating scuffing noise (so difficult to explain on the internet) and happens when turning any right hand bend in the road, not full lock. The wheel rims are the original with the car, no damage (wheels balenced).

I sat in the back seat with the Mrs driving (a bit scary) and still sounds as if its comming from the near front side, but will check the right front wheel over the weekend as I'll try anything if I'm missing anything weird.

If you was near me Decky, I'd gladly let you look at my car, but sadly I think you're in Northan Ireland

[Smint]

Have you blocked it safely up all round, started the engine stuck in a highish gear and observed the wheels and tyres themselves rotating.

[FL2]

Hi Smint, good question..

I did put the car up on all 4's and tried it in first gear only, but couldn't get all four wheels to rotate at the same time. Everytime I tried this only the drivers side front and rear would turn unless I forced one to stop spinning with my foot, then the opposite wheel would turn, guessing that's due to the diffs working but was concerned about the Haldex getting damaged. I only put it in first gear with the engine on tickover. I didn't hear any noise when I made the nearside front wheel spin on a tight turn. So assuming it'll only do this under weight on that corner.

Edited by FL2 on Friday 21st October 18:48

[Smint]

Presumably you've been right through the brakes, all pistons and sliders moving freely, pads a snug but not tight fit in their place, yes it sounds like the diffs are doing their thing but just pondering if you have a sticking brake.

[FL2]

Yes and again today.. All looks normal, not binding or rubbing on either brake pads, piston not seizing either (re-greased caliper slide pins and tested again, still the same) Rotor looks fine (both were replaced two years ago) Not put a micrometer on it, but I would think if it was warped in anyway, I'd feel that when breaking and doesn't pull to any side if I break with hands off the steering wheel.

Getting to the stage now I'll have to put the car it into a garage (one that knows what their doing)

[Bobupndown]

Hi,
I suspect your issues are related to the haldex 4x4 system itself and no actual rubbing is taking place.
How many miles has your Freelander 2 done, has its haldex ever been serviced?
I had similar issues on full lock, a juddering sensation when moving off or coming to a stop. Turned out the oil level in the haldex was low. Since changed the filter, and cleaned the pump screen and refilled with fresh oil. Problem resolved.

[FL2]

Hi Bobupndown,

Thanks for your suggestion, the Haldex has been fully serviced with new filter / oil when the rear diff was replaced with noisy bearing.

Regards
Roy

[Dave.]

FL2 said:

..... for £400 just to do a Diag on it seems a tadge excessive.

I guess that's dealer price?

If you let us know where abouts in the world you are, someone will be able to suggest a better alternative.

[FL2]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your input... I'm just east of Cambridge. It was a garage in Bury St Edmunds that quoted me £400, think even Landrover might be cheaper (or maybe not)

Thanks
Roy

[Bobupndown]

FL2 said:

Hi Bobupndown,

Thanks for your suggestion, the Haldex has been fully serviced with new filter / oil when the rear diff was replaced with noisy bearing.

Regards
Roy

Roy

Just to eliminate the haldex, try removing its fuse and driving normally. (It's in the boot fusebox can't remember which one )
Are you a member of Freel2 forum,? Loads of good technical advice on there.

[E-bmw]

Have you jacked it up to check the wheel bearing?

Slack/wear can cause such symptoms.

[FL2]

Yes, if you read my original post... A complete knuckle including wheel bearing has been fitted... It's not the bearing (unless the new one is faulty too)

Today, tried another wheel (my spare) on the car and still the grinding noise, so not a tyre issue.

Running out of ideas as to why this is doing it.... Guess next step is to find a very good garage that specialises in steering issues as I think a standard garage would also be stumped with this fault

Thanks for everyones comments

[GreenV8S]

FL2 said:

Running out of ideas as to why this is doing it

Can you get it to make the noise at/below walking speed?