Confused of Essex (another VCU thread)

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Missing Link

Missing Link

New Member
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Location
Colchester, Essex
OK so now I am totally lost!

There does not appear to be a really reliable way to diagnose a suspect VCU. I posted a question as I was concerned about my VCU due to the sensation of having the handbrake on reversing on full lock.
Other threads suggest marking the input and output shafts and looking for slip after driving for a short while.
Another suggested test is to jack up a back wheel and try to turn it with the handbrake off.

The response to my other post was that the "dragging" sensation is normal and not to worry. However this site Symptoms - Bell Engineering gives this problem as indicative of a failing VCU and other tests (tippex, jacking the wheel) as being a fallacy and not reliable.

So my problem is I have bought my Freelander from a reputable garage with a one year warranty so how the hell can I take it back and tell them the VCU is faulty and replace it before it causes other damage? At the moment there is no other symptom of a problem but if I ignore it and end up with an IRD or FD failure it could get very expensive. Given that the warranty has a ceiling on the repair costs I do not want to wait. Does anybody know what Land Rover use as a definitive diagnostic method?:(
 
box of matches the most reliable method, in fact Sirus would back me up.
 
no I'm not into that stuff, but I could help with the dog.
 
The tippex test was invented on this Forum as a quick test to determined if the said Vcu was working or not, it can fail two ways A= no traction [Mondo mode or front wheel only] this is a safe fail B= complete seize [ this will defo cause damage] now we had all sorts of talk as to the best method but nobody agrees as for your handbrake on feel ,this is normal ,it was worse on the pre 2001 as thats when the rear ratios were changed, there are other tests, just go into search ,as this subject has been well and truly exhausted and now getting very boring. . . . . .un don't get yer doors wet :) :) :)
 
I agree it is getting very boring but if I don't get it right it could also get very expensive! I'd rather somebody else paid the bill
Do I detect another tractor driver nosing in on the class end of the site? My doors don't leak, I've tested them thoroughly.
 
Missing Link said:
I agree it is getting very boring but if I don't get it right it could also get very expensive! I'd rather somebody else paid the bill
Do I detect another tractor driver nosing in on the class end of the site? My doors don't leak, I've tested them thoroughly.
Click to expand...
Is you calling ming a tratter driver?:alien::alien::alien:
 
To Skynet. This also has me a bit puzzled, from what I read the VCU should not be directionally sensitive and the reduced distanced travelled by the rear wheels at full should approximately be the same forward or reverse. However it is definitely more noticable in reverse.
The mileage is 54K and due to the potential cost I am tempted to change the VCU anyway as I will then know I am safe and will also be able to compare before and after.
Should I change the support bearings as well?
 
Hi Missing Link,
I had a similar problem when I fitted new tyres to the FRONT on the Freelander and left the original ones on the back- and no, I didn't wreck the IRD or rear diff. doing this ( now done 72,000 miles). When the tyres needed replacing again, I replaced all four with the same amount of tread wear (four x Michelin Synchrone's from eBay with about 6 to 7 mm tread left on them). I do not have the "handbrake on" feeling any more. I will, however, follow the advise of fitting newer tyres on the rear in future! Hope this helps, Eric.
 
Following research:
The fluid in the coupling changes viscosity with temperature and the normal rotational difference in speed between the two axles is insufficient to raise the temperature enough to lock the coupling.
As the fluid decays through age the temperature at which the fluid will thicken and lock the coupling reduces. This means that eventually rapid manouvres could produce the "lockup". However the fluid will remain exactly that, a fluid. This means that even when a coupling has deteriorated to the condition where it is permanently producing 4 wheel drive at ambient temperature there will be some slip. This must be the case as the drive torque split is not 50/50 even when fully activated. The only way the coupling can be completely locked is when there is physical damage possibly through overheating.
Putting new tyres on the front with worn ones on the back will increase the speed difference between the two axles to the extent that the temperature of the VCU can rise to the extent that the coupling will start to drag. Given that the difference between worn and new tyres is so small it demonstrates how sensitive this system is.
Incidentally the local LR dealer informed me that they have seldom supplied one of these units. Might have something to do with the price (£550).
 
Last edited:
there yer go its all sorted :D or is it . . . . . .so we have to treat the gaylander with kid gloves eh. . . . .well i don't still all original rear parts bin hammered over 100,000 miles oh and i have put best tires on the front . . . . . . . .orft ta pub ;)
 
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