Noise and heat = Not Good

[pardec]

Just got back from a 30 mile round trip on the motorway, when i started getting a droneing noise from the middle/rear. At first i thought it might be a wheel bearing.

Thought i would check the diff and vcu, so i got under and the diff and vcu are hot! that hot you cant keeep your finger in contact with either.

So is my vcu f****ed?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

follow the usual test procedure.

 

[mjrimmer]

Any new tyres just been fitted?

 

[pardec]

Any new tyres just been fitted?

There are:

pirelli p6 all road on the front 2mm

pirelli scorpion str on the rear 6mm (been on about 2 months)

 

[mjrimmer]

Have you compared the circumference of both the tyres?

 

[pardec]

Planning on doing that in the morning

 

[nickcc]

After reading the test procedures on Bells and Ashcrofts websites extremely hot VCU's are an indication of VCU failure, If the VCU has locked up (not allowing the transmission to slip) this will also cause your diff and IRD to fail. It seems to be the opinion of all those in the know that the VCU should be changed after 70,000 miles.

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

go for it

 

[pardec]

go for it

for what

 

[rhodie]

umm vcu me thinks

 

[pardec]

so is bell engineering the way to go for a new vcu and bearings?

Any idea £ for supply and fit?

 

[rhodie]

bell have been recomended on here alot i got mine from ebay freelander spares uk
and its been fine so far 1500 mile's +.
and been on for 2 mounth's now

 

[nickcc]

Bell just supply the bare VCU without the new bearings and brackets (contacted them last week) they do however give you a contact for the new bearings but not the new brackets.

 

[pardec]

Anyone else used freelander spares uk? Then i would change it myself.

Going to measure the tyre circumference now.

 

[pardec]

I've measured the tyres and the rears are 20mm more than the fronts. Is that enough of a difference?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

Yes

 

[nickcc]

Anyone else used freelander spares uk? Then i would change it myself.

Going to measure the tyre circumference now.

The only thing that puts me off Freelanderspares is the numerous postings regarding poor quality bearings. There are numerous posts that state that the bearings supplied are of inferior quality, also a few posts that state that no problems have been experienced. As I understand there are no problems with the Reconditioned VCU but the new bearings are very noisy. Hopefully the supplier will read this thread and confirm if they use inferior bearings or we are being misinformed

 

[pardec]

Would i be better off getting GKN vcu and bearings from island 4x4 for £341.65 and peace of mind with the bearings

http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/-c-25_2383.html

 

[Optimus Prime]

Hopefully the supplier will read this thread and confirm if they use inferior bearings or we are being misinformed

unlikely unless they have specifically directed to look at it.

maybe worth sending them an email ?

 

[pardec]

Just sent them an email asking the origin/make of there bearings.

Anyone have a rough idea what an independent will charge to fit the vcu and bearings?