Haldex clutch and rear diff - whine then bang!

[Kev888]

Just in case similar things happen to anyone else on here with a 4wd haldex clutch/diff unit on their car: If there is a strange whine after the haldex clutch has had an oil change (to me it sounded almost like there was a quiet motorbike following the car), get it looked at promptly. I had this, and then the thing overheated and failed abruptly on the first long journey (naturally, whilst in the fast lane), resulting in the back wheels barely turning.

Looking around the net, there are cases mirroring the exact same symptoms and where the haldex servicing was established as the cause. In my case I can't be that certain, but either way it is a possibility to be aware of. There are two different fluids in the combined clutch and diff unit with similar drain plugs that can be confused.. or the re-filling may just not be done with the right oil, or even not re-filled at all.

Replacement VW-group haldex/diff units (even just for road cars) are apparently £3.5k plus fitting, and my attempts with second hand ones didn't go well.. ultimately it was goodbye car. So forewarned and all that; it wasn't a hugely loud whine but quite noticeable - I just didn't understand the possible implications at the time.

[Bob225]

you can get a refurb unit for under £1600, it sounds like the diff seized solid, The car is more than likely still around with the prop removed (farmers drop props on old 4x4 as its to0 expensive to repair)

[Kev888]

Apparently it was the haldex clutch part jamming, but the diff was then forced to slip instead and so yes, it too was knackered. Sadly I could find no refurbished ones of the right model, though for around £2k I could have had mine repaired, and another £400 for fitting; chinese imports were a similar price though no idea if they can be trusted. So i tried used ones instead; that turned out to be a false economy since they were all defective to one degree or another.

But at least the last one let it limp along, and that was enough to get it into a scrappage scheme in spite of the grinding noises. Without spending a penny more on it, I got near the car's full value and no-one will innocently be landed with it either, so thats probably a good result.

The main point though, is that had I been suspicious (or aware) enough to act on the new noise immediately, none of this would have been necessary.

[Bob225]

coming to car auction near you - Manheim is the big one most of the main dealers use iirc there one in Mansfield

I don't really like these torque biasing diffs they seem over complex for what they are

[Kev888]

Yeah, I've gone off them too! The same thing is use in the Audi tt and the yeti, superb etc. Not really 4wd as I know it.

Though ford promise to scrap it, and i think they will. they saw it drive in and didn't even look at it otherwise - and I had told them all about it. So if it does end up in auction, at least my concience is clear.

Quite glad its gone TBH, it has been holding me back for nearly a year through garage visits and lack of confidence in it.