I have bought a td4 freelander 1 full service history one owner all services at main dealers , no real problems other than handbrake likes to stay overnight , my main worry is it has done 138,000 miles but can't find any proof of vcu being changed , spoke to dealer and was told they had not done any work on it, I have been driving in the recent snow and it never missed a beat , I phoned another main dealer who told me you replace them when they go but after reading about consensus that better to change than wait for it to go bang I can't find anyone in Scotland who will fit a reconditioned unit , I would appreciate some advice on this very touchy subject I apologise in advance to long suffering members who have seen this too many times thanks.
Will say hello hopefully in the righ t place this time
- Thread starter Softsand
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andyfreelandy
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Good place to start and make a judgement based on the results you get.
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-1-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-1-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/
Nandad
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Bell Engineering. 01299 266503 vcu remanufacture
Thank you will do cheers .
Thanks for that but it's a bit far to travel for me cheers .
andyfreelandy
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They have post systems too. A crate rrives for your old exchange item and you send it back.
Yes I did notice that but I am struggling to get a garage to fit one all ok with them ordering a brand new one and fitting it , but big difference in price , cheers.
Nodge68
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Why not test it to see if its still serviceable, before worrying about having a reconditioned one fitted.
Colthebrummie
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They are not hard to fit, a half decent DIY mechanic could change one in about an hour. But, read the threads on doing the one wheel up test. When I bought my freelander I was suspicious about the vcu so I had Bell Engineering change it and the bearings but to be honest, it didn't feel any different but at least it gave me piece of mind. Make sure you have matching tyres with same tread wear.
Col
Col
Jayridium
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Welcome aboard buddy. But, yeah, do one wheel up test, and see if you still want to change the VCU after the test. Where abouts in Scotland are you? 'Reason I ask is if you're in the North East, I've got a 2 poster ramp, so you're near here I'm sure we could work out a price to fit it for you.
Jayridium
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The only thing I'd say is remember this is up here in Joklandshire, we get a lot more rust, having done a couple now, the one from Guffllandshire was a doddle, but the on motors with Jock area code plates that had obviously been up here all their days were a bit of a mare to get the prop off the VCU splines.
Alibro
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A dealer told you to replace it when it goes??? 
He didn't happen to mention it'll probably take the IRD and rear diff with it did he? What a moron!
As mentioned do the one wheel up test to see how tight it is and if it's too tight then get it sorted as a matter of urgency.
There's a reason Freelanders have a reputation for killing the drive train.
He didn't happen to mention it'll probably take the IRD and rear diff with it did he? What a moron!
As mentioned do the one wheel up test to see how tight it is and if it's too tight then get it sorted as a matter of urgency.
There's a reason Freelanders have a reputation for killing the drive train.
Thanks for that , I am not far from Glenrothes , cheers
Yes after reading the huge amount of trouble a vcu causes it seemed strange , just been for my jag today on roads that look like toboggan runs and it's just going about its business, but will get it changed , cheersA dealer told you to replace it when it goes???
He didn't happen to mention it'll probably take the IRD and rear diff with it did he? What a moron!
As mentioned do the one wheel up test to see how tight it is and if it's too tight then get it sorted as a matter of urgency.
There's a reason Freelanders have a reputation for killing the drive train.
The car came with 4 new tyres and I have bought a good tyre pressure gauge and pump , will keep a close eye on them cheers
Sorry just caught your Peterhead address, that's definitely north east , thanks for the offer cheers
I thought about that but if I got it wrong don't fancy paying out for new transmission when it's a well documented problem that I know about cheers
GrumpyGel
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Even when you've fitted a replacement, it is worth testing it - they have been known to be faulty - to loose or to tight.
Nodge68
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It's very simple to test the VCU, requiring nothing more than a jack, a 1.2 m lever, wheel brace, a 5ltr bottle of water and a watch with a second hand.
There's a video on YouTube made by @Hippo explaining exactly how to do it.
GrumpyGel
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Its in the link in post #2.There's a video on YouTube made by @Hippo explaining exactly how to do it.
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