Bell Engineering VCU Test

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
If the VCU is "sezied" then trying to spin wheels on a lose surface like grass will just spin all 4 wheels. You won't notice if the VCU is "open circuit" or the IRD faulty in some way like rear connection missing, or the splines worn which transfer power from the gearbox via IRD to rear output on IRD.
 
Last edited:
well mine from freelander spares must have been open when mine did it i got a replacement but the car has gone now with its replacement onboard now got a td4 hse auto 2006
 
Just digging up an old thread for some advice really, i have 2000 freelander, tight on full lock in reverse, but apart from that no noises, no vibrations, and rear wheels spins as required, it has done 70k now, would you recommend new vcu and bearings?
 
Varley16 said:
Just digging up an old thread for some advice really, i have 2000 freelander, tight on full lock in reverse, but apart from that no noises, no vibrations, and rear wheels spins as required, it has done 70k now, would you recommend new vcu and bearings?
Click to expand...


first things first.
test it as per the thread in the FAQ section, then decide.
 
Well, after a few weeks of trying I managed to get across to Bell this afternoon.

He checked the VCU temperature, checked over the drive-train for any obvious faults and ran the vehicle over the local (winding & narrow!) roads for me. Included some tight reversing bends.

Overall took about 15 mins and he declared all-is-well. VCU cool and no obvious signs to worry about.

Great peace of mind as far as I am concerned and a well deserved thanks to Bell. Friendy and helpful.
 
Bell are psychic... we went to this forest to walk the dog t'other day and i came back to our gaylander to find bell engineerings card stuck to the window. HOW THE FECK DID THEY KNOW THE VCU WAS FOOKED! :eek:

tis like something out the twilight zone
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
Hippoo - aint there times why yu wonder why yu bother? :(.
Click to expand...
Yes. :doh:

All those hours we've spent discussing this subject. Testing vcu's. Asking peeps to test their vcu's. Asking again and again to test vcu's. Recording results for others to see online. Filimg/editing the testing for those who struggle or don't do the english too well and need visual assistance of how to do the tests. Writing threads on how to do the testing. Writing the definitive guide. Joining other Freelander web sites around the world to help them when they discuss the video's created. Replying to pm's when asked why their wheel don't turn - handbrake on, one wheel not off the ground, brakes binding, should have tested the wheel off the ground and not one of the others still on the ground, your car is in gear and it's the front wheel your testing - and the other questions - it dropped instantly and smashed 5L of coolant everywhere - yer vcu/props is missing, theres no rear diff, the cogs in the rear diff are missing... All those arguements from others telling us it's all crap but can't come up with a betterer idea. The bickering the threads turn into when it all kicks oft. The alternative vcu ideas. The Turnip test. Perhaps we should have made the testing thread a sticky so it stood out a bit more.

If only we had thought of littering the place with business cards. Shall I send an email to Dave at Ashcroft Transmissions asking for some of his business cards? ;)
 
Last edited:
i knew the vcu was fooked... from the fact the car tried to stand still as soon as you put it on full lock.

I just thought it was a funny coincidence that someone from bell happened to be in the same forest at the same time, the day after id bought the gaylander.

Tis not a dogging forest is it :eek:
 
Here you go Teddywood, straight off their web-site

Bell Engineering,

Leafy Lane Cottage,
Deasland Lane,
Heightington,
Nr Bewdley,
Worcestershire.
DY12 2XG.

email:: [email protected]
tel: 01299 266503
mobile: 07836220616
 
Mine has a VCU. It's getting on for 60K miles old now. I do the turnip test every now and again - it always feels the cool side of slightly warm. Still going to replace it at 70K or so miles (unless it happens to fail earlier of course).
 
sijwhite said:
Mine has a VCU. It's getting on for 60K miles old now. I do the turnip test every now and again - it always feels the cool side of slightly warm. Still going to replace it at 70K or so miles (unless it happens to fail earlier of course).
Click to expand...

Makes sense. I changed mine around 80 but in hindsight it was well fooked when I bought it at 70. Just ignored it and got away with it!!
 
I am still not convinced about the interpretation of the turnip test.....

if the VCU is siezed then it will be cool.
if the VCU is "open circuit" it will be cool
its operating temp is circa 100C
 
Received my reconditioned VCU from Bell two days ago. Very pleasant to do business with them, no problems with shipping the VCU to the other side of the channel:)
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
I am still not convinced about the interpretation of the turnip test.....

if the VCU is siezed then it will be cool.
if the VCU is "open circuit" it will be cool
its operating temp is circa 100C
Click to expand...

I think you know when its time to change it. A good VCU allows the car to drive normally in a straight line (almost imperceptible drag) and not have excessive tightening on full lock manoeuvres. Wet grass field test to establish connection to rears - if it comes on with a bang its the diff mounts. I remember going into a heavily cambered roundabout and hearing a nasty bang - this happened a couple of times after that, so removed prop and started saving for a new VCU. As an alternative to this somewhat risky strategy just change the bleddy thing at 70 thou or before if you can afford. If you drop the prop for summer, the new one should last twice as long at a guess.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Freelander 1 VCU off for car how to test
Replies
2
Views
632
GrumpyGel
GrumpyGel
xDParis64
IRD Fail???
2
Replies
25
Views
4K
Alibro
Alibro
xDParis64
VCU test result + Lift Kit
Replies
8
Views
2K
xDParis64
xDParis64
C
Automatic transmission hesitation
Replies
4
Views
1K
Captain_Black
C
N
Rear diff issues
Replies
11
Views
2K
Jimmy1981
J
Back
Top