VCU Good?

Hi,

This snow is the first time I have had to test my Freelander TD4 Auto. We live on a hill so in about 6" of snow my son's VW had to be pushed up the hill & into the drive.

We had to go to Ledbury and back (70+) miles to collect grandchildren and had no problems at all. Just to play around I went up the hill in both reverse and forward. In reverse I did hear one of the rear wheels spin a bit but it soon stopped and the drive seemed to be taken up by the other wheels ok and I kept moving just fine.

I ask because I have been trying to get to Bell Eng to have it all checked but they have been busy and the weather has not helped.

I don't get any problems in forward or reverse in the dry (no noises) so ??? is it fairly safe to assume all is well in the VCU dept? (I know - tempting fate!)

I've done about 1200 miles in the last year and no scares so far.

Thanks

David

The issue with the VCU is if it is to tight, you will have drive ok, its just if it is winding up the transmission with being getting past it service life then the problems could happen.
On saying that the last one we changed was on 145K and when Ken at Bell tested it his opinion was it not to bad only about 50% worn, we did change it any way.
So once the better weather comes would be worth getting it tested for piece of mind.

booboodag said:

The issue with the VCU is if it is to tight, you will have drive ok, its just if it is winding up the transmission with being getting past it service life then the problems could happen.
On saying that the last one we changed was on 145K and when Ken at Bell tested it his opinion was it not to bad only about 50% worn, we did change it any way.
So once the better weather comes would be worth getting it tested for piece of mind.

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Thanks/ Once I can get a slot at Bell I will. Problem is, even though I have no symptoms the constant stories still get me niggled and I am probably worrying about nothing. Car has dome 76k but I don't know the VCU history of it.

David Drew said:

Thanks/ Once I can get a slot at Bell I will. Problem is, even though I have no symptoms the constant stories still get me niggled and I am probably worrying about nothing. Car has dome 76k but I don't know the VCU history of it.

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Another DD and not Diesel Do! If you get significant tightness on full lock, specially in reverse (like the brakes are on) then vcu fooked. When I changed mine it went from this to just a slight resistance. They always feel as if dragging arse along - cos they are. Additionally at 76k you should change it anyway as a service item as it is most likely fooked. If its fails the other way, then you get no drive to the back wheels but I have no experience of this.

Thanks DD3. Just as soon as Bell have a slot I'm over there! Only about 12 miles from me.

If not, I have M&M 4x4 just down the road.

Have to say i had thought about changing it anyway. I just don't know if it's been done recently.

Still....plenty of snow to play in this weekend.

David Drew said:

Thanks DD3. Just as soon as Bell have a slot I'm over there! Only about 12 miles from me.

If not, I have M&M 4x4 just down the road.

Have to say i had thought about changing it anyway. I just don't know if it's been done recently.

Still....plenty of snow to play in this weekend.

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Perfect as you live so close - why not get them to test. I hate the bleddy snow, but then I run mondo as preference. The old freelandy still copes (fairly) well as the TC still does something! We are in fortunate position that we have another 4 wheel drive - not an LR, unfortunately (German) but it copes very well! Have fun!

on my old freelander 2001 TD4 auto gs i had done 163000 or there abouts before i had any problems with the vcu i parted with it at about 175000

teddywood1 said:

on my old freelander 2001 TD4 auto gs i had done 163000 or there abouts before i had any problems with the vcu i parted with it at about 175000

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That's reassuring

If you have no symptoms leave it alone.

Davidspect said:

If you have no symptoms leave it alone.

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"Leave well alone". This goes against Freeblander code!!!

But as your so close to bell I would get them to check it anyway ?

DTO said:

But as your so close to bell I would get them to check it anyway ?

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I'm quite open to 'leave it alone'...but I will get a check done.

I 1) Like to have things right 2) don't want anything to go bang.

trip to Bell soon.

fix it......................til it breaks

My 2005 TD4 has done 108k now still original VCU - done all the checks and working fine.

Can't see where this figure of change it at 70k miles comes from it isn't a service item.

a lot of peeps keep posting that their FL is still running on the original VCU!



How do you know?

I've done the last 30k and I haven't changed it - and asked the 1 previous owner and he didn't even know what one was!

I regularly check temps, do the reversing on full lock and any chance I get do a wee bit of green laneing - all appears ok.

I'll probably will change it sooner or later because of the known damage that can happen but at the moment all appears ok

Mine is also on original VCU @72k as I have owned it for 10 years !

a lot say that theirs have done over 100k on the same VCU.


mine let go and destroyed my drivetrain at 77k!


i know there are lots of factors involved in the reasons why so don't post them all up again.

but i justed really wanted an honest answer to an honest question

zoolander said:

I've done the last 30k and I haven't changed it - and asked the 1 previous owner and he didn't even know what one was!

I regularly check temps, do the reversing on full lock and any chance I get do a wee bit of green laneing - all appears ok.

I'll probably will change it sooner or later because of the known damage that can happen but at the moment all appears ok

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I dont know if this is true (so why am I saying it?), I just have a sense that type of use may be a factor in VCU life expectancy for example a motor that spends its life on motorways puts more stress on the tranny than one that is used on B roads?! My VCU was fooked at around 70k and I know the previous owner did a lot of motorway - prior to him, no idea what type. Anyhow, I don't use mine, so that was a waste of money, well not really as I will put it back on when I get rid.

They say to keep them healthy they need to be worked occasionally.