vcu very hot

hi my td4 has been making a sort of loud rummble noise now and again.It runs fine then this noise starts and after a while it will stop. i got out and felt the vcu and it was so hot i could not keep my hand on it, is this normal if so i got to look for another reason for the noise.

thanks in advance

Make sure your tyres are the correct pressure, they are all the same make, type and size. Also the least worn on the rear.
Sounds like you VCU is trying to compensate for to much difference between front and rear.

If its that hot don't drive it.......... Mine was the same

As Nodge said check your tyres. If you need to drive it drop the props and vcu

pardec said:

If its that hot don't drive it.......... Mine was the same

As Nodge said check your tyres. If you need to drive it drop the props and vcu

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tyres are all good,the rears have a tad more tread than the front. checked tyre pressurers ok at 30psi all round. Could it just be the vcu just needs changing ?

frontosa said:

tyres are all good,the rears have a tad more tread than the front. checked tyre pressurers ok at 30psi all round. Could it just be the vcu just needs changing ?

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Are all the tyres the same make, type and size?

frontosa said:

tyres are all good,the rears have a tad more tread than the front. checked tyre pressurers ok at 30psi all round. Could it just be the vcu just needs changing ?

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yes they dont last forever if everything is perfect

Nodge68 said:

Are all the tyres the same make, type and size?

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same size and type the rears are different make to front.

Different makes of tyres could have a different circumference, that could be your problem

different makes have different gripping, your VCU is working overtime

So they're not the same type front and rear if they're different makes!

That might be your problem - what tyres you got fitted including load and speed rating on each corner?

frontosa said:

same size and type the rears are different make to front.

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That is almost certainly your problem - If you measure them (string, dress makers tape measure) I would bet you find a significant difference between the two makes. You should not use the car until you sort this.

Agree with whats been said , you need to match all 4 , same make , model and size , the tolerence , front to rear is only 5mm

Ian jones said:

Agree with whats been said , you need to match all 4 , same make , model and size , the tolerence , front to rear is only 5mm

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This can't be over stressed - tyre sizes are not exact and since I got to know about the Freelanders fragility I have measured numerous sets of tyres. If you have two tyres of the same size (i.e. 215 65 R 16) but different makes or even the same make but different tread pattern there is more than a 50% chance that the differences in the tyre size (and circumference) will be a problem and may shorten the life of the drive train.

Hmmmm will have to measure mine I have matadors mp71 on the back, and some accelerater cheap Chinese **** on the front.......the matadors do look bigger by eye, but will check anyway.....my VCU never got hot just mildly warm.....now in mondo mode thou

thanks for all the replies. i have michelin tyres on the back and some cheap rubbish on the back all the same size ect..i am thinking to remove the props till i can afford to replace all the tyres and vcu. is this a easy thing to do and do i need blanking plates ect.
thanks

frontosa said:

thanks for all the replies. i have michelin tyres on the back and some cheap rubbish on the back all the same size ect..i am thinking to remove the props till i can afford to replace all the tyres and vcu. is this a easy thing to do and do i need blanking plates ect.
thanks

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No - just unbolt the propshaft from the rear diff, the propshaft from the front gearbox and then the two bolts that hold the VCU to the body. There is no need to mark anything up, it can all only go back one way.

Tannaton said:

No - just unbolt the propshaft from the rear diff, the propshaft from the front gearbox and then the two bolts that hold the VCU to the body. There is no need to mark anything up, it can all only go back one way.

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thats great news thank you for a quick reply

have now got the props and vcu off, now looking for replacement.
it seems bell engineering and ashcroft are the favoured options i would appreciate thoughts on them both.Also it seems the bearings dont come with the units these i will order as well,is there anything more i should add to the shopping list to complete the job ?

cheers

frontosa said:

have now got the props and vcu off, now looking for replacement.
it seems bell engineering and ashcroft are the favoured options i would appreciate thoughts on them both.Also it seems the bearings dont come with the units these i will order as well,is there anything more i should add to the shopping list to complete the job ?

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I bought mine from Bell Engineering and I also asked them to supply it with new bearings which they did for a very reasonable cost, they also recovered the old (exchange) unit a few days later. The recon unit was repainted and was indistinguishable from a new one cosmetically, came with 12 months warranty and so far works very well (passed all rotation tests etc.)

Having done it I would recommend you get one with bearings fitted - not expensive and saves a potentially tricky job.

FYI - if you take your old one to them they will also tell you how knackered it is...

i thought that removing the vcu would solve the noise problem untill i get it replaced
went out today and after about ten miles the noise is still there, its like a droning sound,
not sure if its from the ird or rear dif looks like more expense gutted.