FREELANDER 1 STEERS ITSELF
For a few years I owned a 1998 Freelander 1 diesel. When I bought it, it had no rear propshaft and worked fine in two-wheel drive, just driving the fronts. It still handled okay and was fine on the road, though I never needed to use it off-road.
A few months back, I traded it in against a V6 Freelander 1, with the Honda-derived engine and was delighted with it. But I still have no intention of driving off-road, so I have removed its propshaft to save on fuel (the V6 is a bit thirsty) and to avoid the usual VCU and propshaft bearing problems. But since removing the prop, the vehicle seems unstable when accelerating, and I can spin the front wheels as if the front end is too light. I enjoy driving it, but sometimes when I accelerate hard, the steering seems to be all over the place. I have had all of the steering system checked over by my garage and they confirmed nothing is wrong. Have I disturbed something, or can you suggest what’s wrong. I can’t see the prop removal affecting the steering, and my previous Freelander didn’t exhibit these kind of symptoms. S Painter, Lanarkshire
This has happened because you have removed the propshaft. Your earlier Rover-engined Freelander was relatively low powered, whereas the V6 version is quite lively and produces more torque. The steering and general dynamics of the vehicle cope fine with the old Rover diesel’s torque. Although most torque is transmitted to the front wheels in normal use, the petrol V6 version needs the prop to be on to transmit a little torque to the rear wheels and, especially to transfer torque from the front wheels to the rears when the fronts begin to loose grip. You are experiencing torque steer, in which the front wheels are trying to run straight ahead against your steering direction, hence, as you say, the car is ‘all over the place’.
The fuel saving from removing the propshaft is negligible, and there are no maintenance worries regarding the VCU or its support bearings if the vehicle is maintained and driven sensibly, and that the largest diameter (usually the newest) tyres are fitted to the rear.
The same applies to the Td4 engined Freelander 1. Propshaft removal is not recommended on any Freelander 1 because it adversely affects the dynamics and performance. It’s also important to remember that its removal constitutes a modification of which your insurance company should be informed, otherwise, your insurance may be void. Ed Evans