VCU thoughts and choices

Been reading way too much on these.
Would taking FL1 off road once in a while help vcu, (use it or lose it thing).
If you don't off road would it make more sense to get a recon as they are more free and if so are they still as good as a new one in winter.
Given the problems folk are having trying to self service a vcu how good is a recon, what do they do we can't.
Any opinions ?

if you are in doubt and I think you are go to Bells they will put you right and do not buy a cheap, one lots of people on here had problems including my self from a company up north, again go to bells, and no off roading should not do damage to the vcu I would not think any way. maybe others might know different.

What sort of problems were they with the dodgy recon ones?

They fail because the fluid in them starts to thicken up due to them having to slip all the time, mostly juring everyday driving especially turning corners... off road in is not going to make it any worse in my opinion.

The binding up/braking efect you feel when turning is the fluid working away for no reason.

Thanks guys,
The only doubt is whether to buy new or recon. Generally, I prefer new to recon, the difference being £120, not too painfull.
The question is, "They say" that if not off roading then recon is better as it doesn't bind as much, but implies some drop in performance in 4w drive.

if you're not offroading - and it's just used as a mile muncher... you may be better off removing the props and VCU, and storing until you go for a play

DastardlyDan said:

if you're not offroading - and it's just used as a mile muncher... you may be better off removing the props and VCU, and storing until you go for a play

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Yes, I'm coming round to that idea also. However, like most things on the internet these days you seem to get a 50/50 split betweens the yes's and no's.
Does 2wd save fuel etc etc or does it cause other probs, vibration etc etc Jury is out.
Is a new vcu better than a recon, jury is out.
Information over load and non the wiser. Guess I'll have to make a decision for myself LOL
Thanks

Does taking the prop shaft off make the engine more wobbly? I've new bushes top and bottom (K series 1.8) and I feel a wobble when driving away. I'm hoping it is just that I have the propshaft off and it will be ok when it goes back on.

Alibro said:

Does taking the prop shaft off make the engine more wobbly? I've new bushes top and bottom (K series 1.8) and I feel a wobble when driving away. I'm hoping it is just that I have the propshaft off and it will be ok when it goes back on.

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It could be your K series engine taking a huge gulp of water as the suns out..

jedi said:

It could be your K series engine taking a huge gulp of water as the suns out..

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Your not funny, I'll have you know my K series sips water like a posh bird. No common gulping for her.

Posh birds? Freelander? Nah lipstick on a pig!

Anyway choices so far are 4WD with props or 2WD without.

Choice 3 : I'm running 2WD with props. Had my IRD reconditioned with new bearings etc - but at the same time had a crown/pinion gear removed. So I've put it all back together but running 2WD. Resists any tendency of the engine to spin on its top mounts but also gets through WOF (MOT) inspections. Car runs fine and I see a 7.5MPG fuel improvement :wink:

Choice 4 : 4WD without props. Been thinking of ditching the front prop and replacing the VCU with a leccie motor - GTI preformance off the lights, regen fuel ecconomy, 4WD traction. Considered using hydraulic rather than leccie (replace side steps with tanks!) but that stuff's bloddy expensive.