How to remove propshaft & fit IRD blanking plate on Land Rover Freelander 1 

Another great "How to" vid from PowerfulUK. For those new to the Freelander 1, I'd just like to offer a little insight. The IRD fails because the owners do not understand the 4wd system.Mis-matching tyres is usually the main culprit. Simply put, if tyres are mis-matched, the VCU (that big donut thing between the propshafts) locks up over time , reducing MPG and winding up the IRD, until it fails. The mythical MPG improvement after converting to 2wd can now be explained. It's usually only seen in dealer adverts, but now it's becoming common in private ads on eBay and the like to disguise a component failure "Converted to 2wd for ECONOMY" No, that's complete bullshit !! Buyer beware ! The only reason you would ever remove the 4wd system is because one or more components in the drivetrain are knackered, as in the case in the above video. However, removing the knackered parts and fitting a blanking plate seem to magically give you improved MPG. Why is this ? The simple fact is is this : if the VCU is goosed, "one" of the symptoms as already explained , is lower MPG. If you bought a Freelander second hand , you won't notice the MPG has gotten worse over time as that's what is was when you bought it. The damage has already been done by the previous owner. Then you have 4wd drive failure and instead of replacing the system you go for the cheapest option, an IRD blanking plate. Magically the MPG improves !! (All the time, while the owner is blaming Land Rover for their unreliable vehicle and shit 4wd system, telling anyone who'll listen while throwing in a phrase about Toyota's legendary reliability, no doubt). However, if you think the MPG has been improved because of the weight saving, by the removal of the 4wd components then you need to also consider removing the rear diff and driveshafts too, which have now become totally redundant and are nothing but "dead weight".(unless you intend to re-instate the 4wd system once you understand why and how the IRD failed in the first place and are waiting on parts). A blanking plate is a very good idea - but only as a temporary measure until you can afford to re-instate the 4wd system. Hower, this will be prohibitively expensive.IRD, VCU ,possibly the rear diff too and then there's the tyres which in all honesty may have been the root cause of all this in the first place.I guarantee this will cost more than buying a good Freelander 1 in the first place. Best thing you can do is join a dedicated forum. Then you can learn and understand why the drivetrain may have failed in the first place and be able to avoid any costly repairs in the future. Or even just to swat up on knowledge before making that first step in to Freelander ownership. I drove both a Freelander 1 V6 and a TD4. Converted both in to rally cars with roll cages etc,etc and ran the V6 for a couple of years with oversized nobbly tyres. In all I must have driven the two between them for around for 10 years in total, I NEVER had to replace the IRD or any of the 4wd system in either vehicle, the only failure being a rear diff oil seal on the Td4. I understood what caused failures and as they say "forearmed is forewarned." Remember, the weakest part of the vehicle is the driver !

Just a quick post to say thanks for the quick delivery of the blanking plate. All fitted and no more clunking or locking of the wheels (I had already dropped the prop off and it still locked)....yeah my ird was knackered! Broken teeth on the removed bit and markings/damage inside the case...£12 and I'm back up and running. Cheers

Great video, very helpful thanks. I will definately be doing this if or when required to save £££££.

thanks guys for your help

Yes, I know the technique you refer to. Clearance is tight but if I focus on the bolts at the Y-bracket then hopefully the bracket will drop and I can pull the part off the IRD without needing to remove the other bolts. I will post back here and let people know how I go in case anyone else has the same issues.

hi there. would it have the same effect just taking the prop off or would the freelander need the ird removed please. thanks

Hi just recently bout a freelancer sport 05 sport auto can this be done to it and how much does it increase your mpg

Great video!! but on the back I need to add another plate for the rear axle ?

Just to add you need to add some thick washers to the studs as they wont tighten down enough to seal.

hi there i did exactly what on your video, but now I have the check light for driving downhill is on, any suggestions?

Hi,Got a 2002 TD4. Want to do this blanking fix. Once the pinion/drive shaft piece is out, do you need to refill the IRD with oil and if so what do you recommend to use? Video is great. Thanks for posting.

Hi, is the back the same process as the front blanking plate. Great vid

Hi. I disconnected my prop today on a freelander i just bought as it seemed to struggle in 2nd. Just temporarily i covered the gearbox/engine coupling with a plastic bag rather than use a blanking plate. I started the jeep but it does not drive . Do you know why this could be?

Good job dude. Well explained and video.

Hi iv just replaced the 2 bearings and the big thing in the middle, new bolts and washers. Now the car is vibrating over 30mph what could it be? Iv replaced everything as bearings were gone completely, my question is what made the bearings gone ?

How much do you charge to do this, if I want this done?

Hey, I had an issue, after the propshaft was removed (I haven't removed the front diff), the gears weren't working. You could put all the gears in but the car wouldn't move. My question is, if I will remove the front diff and blank it, just like you did in the video I will have the 2wd working with all the gears or the problem might lie somewhere else? Looking forward to hear from you, thanks in advance! :)

is a manual 2004 2.0 td4 the same?

I'm struggling to fit the blanking plate. You show 5 bolts being removed from the IRD but I seem to have threads with nuts which I have removed. Then the whole operation is fouled by a y-support for the exhaust which I see no signs of in your video but have seen in other videos. Any ideas of what I need to do?

What do you do with the rear diff?? Just leave that open?

Is there oil in the ird?

I guess this mod makes it front wheel drive? I have just bought a 51 plate with BMW diesel automatic and need more MPG and less hassle for a banger rally over 4000 miles ,,,, where do I get the kit :>

9:15 Would be better if the blanking plate ("spacer") had a plug and o-ring built into it, a but like the original part. Would seal really well then over the long-term.

8:05 What is the point of removing this part? Can it be left in place?

10:20 Better to wipe the oil off the mating surface before assembling.

well if you are taking the prop off then you should as a mate of mine found out they voided his insurance but I think you are just changing you selection on your gear stick that does not count.

What happends if i get down the propshaft and not putting the blanking plate? Sorry for my bad english i am romanian!

I did mine at the door. Took half an hour. Cost £6 for plate. Couple of quid for instant gasket.and gained 10 mpg. With egr blanked off as well. Drives like a saloon car too..freelander 4WD linkage is a joke compared to audi. Honda. Suzuki. If you keep it 4wd youl wreck gearbox eventually..

Stupid question. NOVICE...I'm assuming there is a blanking cover for the back.??

There are no problems with the processing of MOT

Why not letting the IRD like this? 7:10

then you have to tell your insurance and you will find your freelander handles different than it did before and no use in snow. and what causes all this is the VCU. plus you do not hardly get any more miles per gallon

ask lr to follow u

Why ??? Why someone can need a 2 wheel drive Freelander? Take another car better than to make an invalid Freelander.

Absolutely false that this saves you fuel, it will drive like a bag of sh$t they were built and designed to be 4x4, of you want yo save yourself money on fuel buy a corsa