MOT for Freelander - 2 wheel brake tester ? (AGAIN !)

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I would go as far as to say that possibly one of the major failures of transmissions in the Freelander (with the information I have so far), is probably the failure of MOT testing station to appropriately test the braking systems leading to damage of the transmission components
Interesting theory - not sure I agree with it, because I've never heard of a Freelander's tranmission going bang at a testing station - which if it was a primary contributing reason for failure it would be likely to occur there regularly.
 
They didn't know that though.
Sheesh and gawd damn :rolleyes:
I DID lol :D
No wonder Kiwi fruits are higher priced than Marijuana...................................

4 (four) wheel Drive....
beating-head-against-the-wall.gif


tum te tum te tum ....;)
 
Interesting theory - not sure I agree with it, because I've never heard of a Freelander's tranmission going bang at a testing station - which if it was a primary contributing reason for failure it would be likely to occur there regularly.
I think it may well be a contributing factor to failure - not necessarily at the time - I think excessive loading leads to weakening of - or initial damage to components or - more likely - instigation of the primary damage to the components - this then progresses... the damage is done - the failure is the result of the unit(S) further down the line.
Fatigue failures are not (usually) instantaneous) - rather they are progressive.
Hypothesis but hey ....... :)
 
Nodge, I really think that - in so far as I can ascertain (I am awaiting permission to quote some of my 'answers to appropriate questions') - that this is absolutely the correct answer.
I have also contacted Land Rover themselves and am awaiting a definitive decisions. I have information from a trainer of MOT testers in the UK also - who agree with you 100%.
I would go as far as to say that possibly one of the major failures of transmissions in the Freelander (with the information I have so far), is probably the failure of MOT testing station to appropriately test the braking systems leading to damage of the transmission components - not failure in an immediate sense - but in a 'beyond tolerance' strain being placed on the IRD (Including front diff) and also the rear diff - leading to premature failure. This may in fact turn out to be one of the greatest reasons for FL transmission failure.
I eagerly await a response -if ever received - from Land Rover - and permission to quote responses from many other well known and well respected sources as opposed to anecdotal responses
Joe.
I normally remove my VCU for the MOT as I like to see the brake performance and if there is any bias to one side or another. I refit the props after the test is done, knowing that the brakes are A 1.
 
Here in france when the tester inputs the vehicle data at the start of the test the computer flags up that it needs the extra rollers put down for the brake test. This is just a heavy frame with a pair of rollers that is laid on the floor behind the standard brake tester so the rear wheels sit on it and can spin freely as the fronts are tested. It then needs picked up and dragged to the front of the tester so the front wheels sit on it as the rears are tested.

Last test, the guy obviously couldnt be bothered so he just tried to test as a normal 2wd car. When the rollers start turning the front wheels, they encounter abnormal resistance as the VCU tries to turn the rear wheels so he couldnt get a baseline reading of whether the brakes were binding or not. Further insistance trying to get a reading meant that the rear wheels started to turn and pushed the car off the rollers.
No damage done....its only for a few seconds at a time, and no different to having a pair of wheels stuck in sticky mud. The more you insisit with the rollers, the harder the VCU locks up and either the rear wheels will slip on the garage floor or will push the car forwards out of the tester. I guess if your IRD was on the point of failure anyway this could provoke it to break, but a healthy one should be able to take this kind of abuse for a reasonable period of time.
 
Hi Mike,
I am slightly baffled so please help me out here - :eek::oops::rolleyes:
Ok, soooooo. at any point in the test(s) - why were the front or rears EVER 'locked on the rollers' as you put it ? - it does not make sense to me ? - what is the point of a second axle free roller unit otherwise ?
Also, what do you mean by "2 wheel drive is dealt with," ---- ??
I am looking for 4WD reasons not 2WD ?
Cheers Mike
Joe

To put it bluntly, I've no sodding idea why they lock the front and rear rollers and test just one axel when they've done them with the wheels left to rotate. But that's what they always do. It's all over within 2 minutes, and no damage has ever been done.
The Freelander doesn't go back in for its test til November, but I shall do my best to remember and ask.
As for the bit about 2wd, I had verbal diarrhoea and couldn't stop:)
Mike
 
Here in france when the tester inputs the vehicle data at the start of the test the computer flags up that it needs the extra rollers put down for the brake test. This is just a heavy frame with a pair of rollers that is laid on the floor behind the standard brake tester so the rear wheels sit on it and can spin freely as the fronts are tested. It then needs picked up and dragged to the front of the tester so the front wheels sit on it as the rears are tested.

Last test, the guy obviously couldnt be bothered so he just tried to test as a normal 2wd car. When the rollers start turning the front wheels, they encounter abnormal resistance as the VCU tries to turn the rear wheels so he couldnt get a baseline reading of whether the brakes were binding or not. Further insistance trying to get a reading meant that the rear wheels started to turn and pushed the car off the rollers.
No damage done....its only for a few seconds at a time, and no different to having a pair of wheels stuck in sticky mud. The more you insisit with the rollers, the harder the VCU locks up and either the rear wheels will slip on the garage floor or will push the car forwards out of the tester. I guess if your IRD was on the point of failure anyway this could provoke it to break, but a healthy one should be able to take this kind of abuse for a reasonable period of time.
Hi Dave, you raise an interesting and somewhat valid point - that being that in most circumstances the transmission should be quite able to deal with the issues and make the test - basically - not possible - due to the vehicle forcing itself of the rollers.. However, the testers who are not aware of the issues tend to do the following (as they normally do on a 2WD vehicle - they place - what they consider to be the 'driven' wheels on the 2WD rollers and then apply the hand brake if they consider the unit to be an FWD unit - as many do with the FL. Now you are forcing against the handbrake locking the rear wheels. My FL handbrake - after much trials and tribulations - is absolutely superb ! - anyone that locks that and then applies drive to the front wheels is applying a huge load on the transmission - without the handbrake - this would not necessarily be the case.
Some great points are being highlighted here - thanks all for a good discussion.
Joe
 
But if the rear wheels are locked with the handbrake then when the rollers try to turn the fronts the VCU will tighten and the front wheels will lock up too, making a brake reading impossible.
IMO tyres will slip on the rollers before damage is likely to be done.
 
Ah, I knew it must be in there somewhere ! - from RAVE -

Brake testing on a two wheel brake test dyno - you must REMOVE rear prop-shaft.

The MOT brake test rollers are a two wheel dynamometer

That is direct from Land Rover :cool:

freelander Brake Test.jpg


Had to be documented somewhere...............:rolleyes:
 
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