Land Rover Repair: shuddering and rattling in 2003 freelander 2.5 v6 auto, merry chrismas, clutching at straws

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,

I hope you can offer some advice on the problem i have:-
My recently aquired freelander 2003 2.5 v6 premium auto es started shuddering at aprox 30mph and over, intermittently, last week.Now it has started to omit a rattling noise upon slowing down and coming to a halt , with the shuddering now almost gone. Any ideas on what this could be-maybe transmission probs? Any suggestions would be appreciated . Mileage is 100,000.

ANSWER: Hi Dave,

I thought it may be a ball joint - track rod problem.  I'm not sure but it could also be the tie rod connection with the steering rack.

Do you think it could be steering related?  If it was transmission related and making those symptoms, I would think some warning lights would be triggered.  

How are the brakes?  Have them inspected at a local brake shop - sometimes this can be free!

Best of luck,

JohnMc

Best wishes for 2010 too!




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply and suggestions John. I forgot to say that the hill decent warning light came on last week as well-with the exclamation symbol beside it.I left it in the garage just before the light came on to have a new bonnet cable fitted(old one stretched).Five mins after leaving garage hdc came on. I know this means hdc isn't working now but I'm wondering if its connected to the shuddering and rattling I described in the first e-mail. Still have rattling as well.Also I left truck in garage to have puncture fixed 2 weeks ago and shuddering started the day after I got it back. Maybe clutching at straws to connect these 2 events to the auto repairers but anything is possible!
Merry Chrismas by the way!

Cheers again!
Dave.

Answer
Merry Christmas, Dave.

the only link I can think of would be your braking system.  Did the shop damage a hub ABS sensor?

I recently had work done on my exhaust manifold and right afterwards (while driving away from the shop) the check engine light came on.  Turns out the crankshaft position sensor was damaged - garage fixed this very quickly.  My point being - perhaps some damage was done around the ABS sensor and they did not know about it.  If they are a competent LR shop, they will fix it quickly for you.

Best of luck,

JohnMc