VCU Torque test results

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It's true new ones have a resistance and feel "tight" too. One person's description of tight may differ from another's. It's well known that reconner's tell you to change yer vcu if tight, but few buyers would realise their tight feeling is ok. More often than not recon vcu's are loser than new ones which is why they think a miracle has happened when they change a working vcu for a recon. This is knowledge from testing peeps vcu's myself.
 
Sorry I misinformed you it is a reconed VCU, I picked it up today, all fitted to the p-shafts and the guy managed to save the damper and bearings as they were good as new (only fitted last year before I had it). I can't fit it until next tuesday so I will let you know how I get on. The company who replaced it only charged me for the unit that came to £139. He did test it and told me he had seen worst but I was right to have it changed now before it got any tighter.
 
I have driven all shades of landrovers and know what diff wind up is and how it feels but unfortunately never a freelander but as I said before it felt OK in the summer, well acceptable but now it felt just a tad to tight when warm reversing into my parking spot in work which I have to reverse a 120 degree angle on full lock to get in.
 
Reconditioned VCU fitted yesterday, One wheel up test :- 5kg 45 degrees, ambient temperature 12 degrees, zero mileage, = 18 seconds.
Drivability in reverse is much better and has some tightness which I am happy with.
Whilst I was in the vicinity I changed the gear box and ird oils, as no service history of them ever being changed, the old gearbox oil was very dirty but the ird oil was still clean and now slick gear changing.
 
redwood said:
Reconditioned VCU fitted yesterday, One wheel up test :- 5kg 45 degrees, ambient temperature 12 degrees, zero mileage, = 18 seconds.
Drivability in reverse is much better and has some tightness which I am happy with.
Whilst I was in the vicinity I changed the gear box and ird oils, as no service history of them ever being changed, the old gearbox oil was very dirty but the ird oil was still clean and now slick gear changing.
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What was the length of bar? (distance from pivot point to weight connection)
 
Reading passed posts I can see that a recon VCU usually takes about 11 sec to do the same test, I don't know where the guy who fitted it to the p-shafts gets his from but he does supply them to a local land rover garage. On close inspection the unit has been de-welded and re-welded and the ball bearing fill plug fitted. I suppose VCU refurbers use their on fluid recipies ?
 
redwood said:
Reading passed posts I can see that a recon VCU usually takes about 11 sec to do the same test, I don't know where the guy who fitted it to the p-shafts gets his from but he does supply them to a local land rover garage. On close inspection the unit has been de-welded and re-welded and the ball bearing fill plug fitted. I suppose VCU refurbers use their on fluid recipies ?
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Yes, they have their own recipes of which fluid they use and how much, which they will fiercely dictate is betterer than new and other recon providers. Very few post results of recon vcu's as the reconner's prefer to tell them our test is a load of crap. I've been told by many sources that they've been told not to post results of their recon vcu doing our tests. Hence it's good that you have told us of your results. It will help others compare their results.
 
The one wheel up test IS the best quick reference test ever and everyone should do it and post here their results. I think my VCU would have lasted a lot longer but I had a bit of spare cash and winter coming fast I thought I would change it now. insidently a freelander does not handle well in mono and glad it's all back together and cornering is now what it should be.
 
right then, only had her a week but done the test, td4 2003 1.2 m 5kg 46s to do 45ish degrees,done it about 10 times and that's the average,what you all reckon?
 
beastsilver said:
I dont understand why the torque test is required. If the viscose coupling has failed just replace because it will not drive the back wheels if it locks in place addmittedly it will be permanent four wheel drive but this should not break the transfer box. I have been told that early Freelanders before 2002 had incorrect gearing in the transfer box which causes the pinion wheel to break.

Cheers
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i agree , just had my vcu and bearing carriers done, landy had done 73k its reccomended 70k is safe zone im informed by shropshires leading 4x4 repairer this torque test is laughable when all you need to do is put car in reverse on full lock and see if it reverses smooth, plus adhere to the 70k rule and no probs.
ive seen so much crap talk on freelanders its all about correct maintainence and tyre care..simple
 
jjtech56 said:
i agree , just had my vcu and bearing carriers done, landy had done 73k its reccomended 70k is safe zone im informed by shropshires leading 4x4 repairer this torque test is laughable when all you need to do is put car in reverse on full lock and see if it reverses smooth, plus adhere to the 70k rule and no probs.
ive seen so much crap talk on freelanders its all about correct maintainence and tyre care..simple
Click to expand...

Oh dear, that'll upset a few in this section. True though. :D:D
 
wammers said:
Oh dear, that'll upset a few in this section. True though. :D:D
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to many folk go buy car ...cause it looks nice, no research , no info on what faults to pre empt, i did ..hence i got vcu done part of the deal, did erg by pass, did bmw pcv change, made sure it had proper full service..plus full service history.. but then my dealer is spot on, he even put 2 new tyres on front as the rear had been done and front down to 4 mm...ive just heard slight rattle from front.. straight in and found its crank pulley..new one mon..simple pre emptive
 
jjtech56 said:
i agree , just had my vcu and bearing carriers done, landy had done 73k its reccomended 70k is safe zone im informed by shropshires leading 4x4 repairer this torque test is laughable when all you need to do is put car in reverse on full lock and see if it reverses smooth, plus adhere to the 70k rule and no probs.
ive seen so much crap talk on freelanders its all about correct maintainence and tyre care..simple
Click to expand...
Shropshire's leading 4x4 repairers - ooohhh I'm impressed. I bet they are **** hot, or is that just **** - one of the 2.

Which one of "Shropshire's leading 4x4 repairers" is that? Do all of Shropshire's 4x4 repairers not think they are "Shropshire's leading 4x4 repairers". I can't see any calling themselves "Shropshire's worst 4x4 repairers" - but one of them must be!
 
jjtech56 said:
to many folk go buy car ...cause it looks nice, no research , no info on what faults to pre empt, i did ..hence i got vcu done part of the deal, did erg by pass, did bmw pcv change, made sure it had proper full service..plus full service history.. but then my dealer is spot on, he even put 2 new tyres on front as the rear had been done and front down to 4 mm...ive just heard slight rattle from front.. straight in and found its crank pulley..new one mon..simple pre emptive
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Good on you mate. You obviously know what you're talking about and everyone on this forum, except @wammers of course, are absolute tossers who can't look after their motors. Should we all delete www.landyzone.co.uk from our browser history and set www.jjtech56.com to our homepage?
 
GrumpyGel said:
Good on you mate. You obviously know what you're talking about and everyone on this forum, except @wammers of course, are absolute tossers who can't look after their motors. Should we all delete www.landyzone.co.uk from our browser history and set www.jjtech56.com to our homepage?
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common sense, has it done over 70k...then change it, like the cambelt story..yes i do know td4 has chain, thousands cars out there suffer engine wreck when belt goes..have mate whos went june...72k was change time or 5y...he has done 114k ..9y old ..moaning like hell 1100 quid repair..reality is people buy cars they cant affort to run and maintain..skimp on maintainance ...and pay the cost...feel free to use my home page...lol..
 
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GrumpyGel said:
Shropshire's leading 4x4 repairers - ooohhh I'm impressed. I bet they are **** hot, or is that just **** - one of the 2.

Which one of "Shropshire's leading 4x4 repairers" is that? Do all of Shropshire's 4x4 repairers not think they are "Shropshire's leading 4x4 repairers". I can't see any calling themselves "Shropshire's worst 4x4 repairers" - but one of them must be!
Click to expand...
 
this company dosent claim to be anything..its the awards they win, testimonials and there standing in the motor industry..are you always this gobby or just having a bad day cause ya one of those who cant afford the car they have...haha
 
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