Visious coupling unit

Hi guys

I have the chance to buy a 1998 LandRover Freelander however one of the faults with the car is the visious coupling unit which needs attention. I was thinking of just running the car as a 2wd as ill not be taking it offroad. Will the removal of the VCU cause any damage to the car ? Thanks

no ,wont hurt its something i often do for customers but will handle as 2wd and not a 4wd

jamesmartin said:

no ,wont hurt its something i often do for customers but will handle as 2wd and not a 4wd

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Cheers James. Thats ideal. Is there any common faults to look out for when viewing these cars ? Its a 1.8 petrol

vc is one as is ird ,vc stiffening can damage ird ,with a 1.8 petrol head gasket failure so pressurising in expansion bottle or low level ,pure water or rusty colour or evidence of and not clean antifreeze would be a worry

jamesmartin said:

vc is one as is ird ,vc stiffening can damage ird ,with a 1.8 petrol head gasket failure so pressurising in expansion bottle or low level ,pure water or rusty colour or evidence of and not clean antifreeze would be a worry

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Cheers. Yeah i was aware of the K series engines suffering from headgasket failure. I used to work on Rovers and this as we all know is a common fault but easily fixed. I want the car as a project so if all goes gloomy then i could always break it up to recoup my money.

uk345 said:

Cheers. Yeah i was aware of the K series engines suffering from headgasket failure. I used to work on Rovers and this as we all know is a common fault but easily fixed. I want the car as a project so if all goes gloomy then i could always break it up to recoup my money.

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You ungreatfull git do you want help or not ??

I cant understand why you would want to run a 4wd as a 2wd

drewster said:

You ungreatfull git do you want help or not ??

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What you on about ?

essexpestcontrol said:

I cant understand why you would want to run a 4wd as a 2wd

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I will not be taking it offroad. As long as the car runs then ill be happy.

If the VCU is reported as being 'faulty' then the IRD could well be shagged. If it were me I'd want one that worked properly. You may not take it off road but you might want to drive it in the winter after all.

Unless its being virtually given away I'd find a better one

All IMO

This^^^^
It's worth knowing that because of the drive reduction of the IRD a FWD Freelander is a pain to pull away quickly from a junction in the wet. My V6 needs to be driven with utmost care particularly when pulling out as it smokes the front tyres. They are much better to drive as a 4WD

You should also notify your insurer as this is classed as a modification, your choice but it could void your insurance in the event of a claim. I left mine off for a couple of weeks whilst waiting to fit the new VCU and didn't much like the handling, also didn't notify my insurer as only off for a short time so just hoped for the best .