VCU Bearings

Are these any good?

Land Rover Freelander VCU (Viscous Coupling Unit) Support Bearings TOQ000040 | eBay

I've been wondering the same thing.

On the ad after the part number (which is a landrover one) it says for ref only! so they are after market/pattern from where?

For peace of mind get the OEM ones

Bearmach are usually pretty good, quality wise.

However, they do not manufacture bearings or rubber mounts and must buy them in.

Regarding the bearings themselves, you can't beat buying long established and reputable names e.g. SKF, FAG, Timken etc

I don't disagree. For example GKN vcu and bearings have a G at the end of the part number.

I payed a bit more and bought brand new vcu and bearings by GKN think it was worth the peace of mind

Buy gkn and you'll only need to fit new bearing now, as opposed to cheap ones you'll fit now, and replace within months. Many have had to do this. At least it's not snowing at the moment.

Another vote for GKN here.

They have the correct stiffness of rubber centre holding the bearing itself.

GKN generally use FAG bearings which are very long lasting - as are SKF and other big names.

The anonymous ones have an anonymous bearing fitted - beware as Hippo says.

Be sure also to fit the 'flingers' the right way round - thats the little protective saucer shaped discs that throw off the road crud that could enter the bearing.

They should be fitted with the outer rim of the 'saucer' away from the bearing so any water or mud is thrown off clear of the bearing.

I've seen several fitted the wrong way round when they do more harm than good by depositing crud on the face of the unit.