Boring Freelander 2 stuff

[Chris]

Thought I’d start a thread as I’ve been doing a few bits on my Landy and as I am a first time owner, thought maybe I’d share some of it just in case it’s useful to anyone in a similar position. And I am sure there are much more knowledgeable people than me here who can maybe tell me what I’ve ruined.

Bought at 117k miles last week. A few jobs to do.

Drive was a but juddery over 60mph. I suspected that was a wheel balance issue, and the tyres were needing a change and blooming noisy. Got new tyres on (CrossClimate 2) and had the tracking done. Totally fixed the wobble and the ride is quite and smooth.

Last cam belt change was at 50k miles, so next job was to get a new cam belt and water pump fitted. Took in today to Clasp 4x4 in Scunthorpe as they have a good reputation around these here parts. New belt and pump fitted - just in time by the look of it as the previous pump had a small leak. Asked them to give it a good prod around underneath to spot any issues but they’ve said it’s generally in great condition. One CV boot clip to get sorted in the near future but otherwise spot on.

When I was filling up the washer fluid I got a ‘gentle tap’ to the back of the head from the bonnet, as the gas struts were obviously past it. Ordered new OEM ones and fitted them today. Next I’ll do the boot as they’re not as strong as they could be. Got the full set so that’s a weekend job when my wife can kindly assist by holding the boot lid.

Got some headlight guards because they look cool are very important.


Lady Luck is not on my side though as I got a rock to the windscreen the other day, so I am getting a new windscreen on Wednesday. My other car had the same happen just a month ago.

 

[Furbles]

Very nice FL2. Aside from the cambelt, I would check whether the major service mileage/year items have been done - particularly rear diff, PTU and gearbox oil changes.

 

[Chris]

Very nice FL2. Aside from the cambelt, I would check whether the major service mileage/year items have been done - particularly rear diff, PTU and gearbox oil changes.

View attachment 95625

That’s useful, thanks! Looks like I have a few more things to do over the next 6 months.

Maybe even some stuff I can do myself.

 

[gg012]

That looks really clean Chris. I have a soft spot for landies so may be biased! What sort of price was this if you don't mind me asking.

 

[neoaliphant]

Very interesting, how much was it
im thinking of getting the exact same car and same colour once my Rav4 dies....

 

[Chris]

You can find a fair few around this age, mileage, and with all the gadgets (this is an HSE) on Autotrader for anywhere between £6k and £10k (partly dependent on location) and I paid somewhere in the lower-middle of that bracket. Although I do think this one is in particularly good condition, seems to have been well looked after.

 

[Furbles]

You did really well there, Chris. I paid over £10k for mine - a 2013 SD4 HSE Lux. From a dealer, and it had quite a few big items done.

 

[Chris]

As I got home from work today a delivery van arrived with some restraints for the vicious beast I often take out and about.

First up, rubber mat to keep his filthy paws from ruining the carpet and for easy cleanup.



Then a cage, to prevent him devouring anyone who enters the passenger area of the vehicle. I had to take the rubber mat out again to do this, because of course I did.



A bit of heave-ho and some jiggling (of the cage) later and this was in. Rubber mat back in, job’s a good ‘un.

Last job for today was getting the divider/cage door in. Whilst I am an expert wrangler of such foul and dangerous beasts as Finn, I thought it might be helpful to separate him from some of the other stuff I might want to put in the boot without it getting covered in drool.

Naturally, I had to take the damn rubber mat and the boot floor out again to affix another bracket.

Boot floor back in, rubber mat back in. This is where the fun started. The divider is a very tight fit, and I suspect the whole arrangement was made generic enough to fit a few models and therefore there were some moments where I had to use brute force to get things to line up whilst I fastened things. This would be much easier with two people, but I am stubborn. A few caught/crushed/grazes fingers ensued.

I took the opportunity to practice some of my favourite four letter words.

Perseverance eventually paid off, though, and now I can safely transport Finnibal Lecter about the place without great risk to the general population.



Let’s just hope I don’t need the spare wheel (you guessed it, under the boot floor).

 

[Chris]

You did really well there, Chris. I paid over £10k for mine - a 2013 SD4 HSE Lux. From a dealer, and it had quite a few big items done. View attachment 95640

Lovely colour that one mate.

 

[neoaliphant]

You can find a fair few around this age, mileage, and with all the gadgets (this is an HSE) on Autotrader for anywhere between £6k and £10k (partly dependent on location) and I paid somewhere in the lower-middle of that bracket. Although I do think this one is in particularly good condition, seems to have been well looked after.

excellent, my mechanic is doing one up for about £7k, so im tempted

 

[TeeDee]

Y No YOLO stker?

 

[Chris]

Not sure this rear diff oil has ever been changed. Even the whole Sun cannot shine through it.





Mmm, chunky.

Refilling with Castrol Transmax Axle EPX 80W-90 (G3 standard), for future reference. Ideally 700ml of it, though thus far only managed about 600ml. Probably some old oil still in there.

 

[MrEd]

Nice, I have a 90 owned it for near 15 years. It’s a 1990 plate, will be buried with me I think, I love it.



Been tooling around in it like this in the recent heat….


Those fl2 are pretty good tbh? Much better than the fl1 in terms of robustness of the drive train

 

[Chris]

Oil and oil filter replaced today.

Whilst whoever put the oil filter there is an utter dingbat, it really didn’t take that long. Slightly longer due to slightly overfilling. I only did 5.9L as stated for a service refill, but there must’ve been some still in there somewhere. Didn’t need to drain much.

 

[Chris]

Air filter was easy. Pollen filter slightly more fiddly, but did that fairly easily also. In fact it was especially easy, because there wasn't a pollen filter in there at all so I didn't have to remove one first. Sigh.

 

[Furbles]

My FL2 is poorly, so it’s booked into Bell Engineering next month for transmission work - either the haltex or rear differential or both.

I do love the Freelander but they are not cheap to maintain…

 

[Damascus]

I’ve had mine 18 years, ex demonstrator, this year first real expenses, the slave cylinder went on clutch, two new rear shocks, break pipes and front brake pads replacement. So all in all not too bad, always had it serviced regularly and have a friendly land rover garage nearby. As you say not cheap to maintain but it’s great car!

 

[Chris]

My FL2 is poorly, so it’s booked into Bell Engineering next month for transmission work - either the haltex or rear differential or both.

I do love the Freelander but they are not cheap to maintain…

Oof.

Well at least Bell Engineering do replacement Haldex units if you need one. They’re the go to people apparently.

 

[Chris]

Got a warning light and Reduced Performance Mode turned on just after setting off home from the Moot today. Made it the 70 miles or so home, but gonna have to take it in to the doctor next week I think.

My guess is either fuel filter needing replacing, or the infamous intercooler hose. Will have a poke around tomorrow to see if I can spot the latter for an easy-ish fix.

 

[Silverclaws2]

Nice, I have a 90 owned it for near 15 years. It’s a 1990 plate, will be buried with me I think, I love it.

View attachment 95849

Been tooling around in it like this in the recent heat….
View attachment 95851

Those fl2 are pretty good tbh? Much better than the fl1 in terms of robustness of the drive train

I'd love a Land Rover again, my first and last I still mourn the loss of; a '55 86 incher that I took to restoring before I could legally drive, where from I learned so many mechanical things. Think I might like a lightweight next as it has Series One ' properties ' about it