First few days!

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Nice one you got there. Wish you all sort of good luck with it. As you said, they are a bit ill spoken-of. When i spoke to my 90 landy friends about getting one, i was like giving them a sex change news:jaw: and said it would be a horror story in the making. today i prove it aint. Just check the vcu and Rear diff mounts if i wer u
 
Thanks. Gonna drag the caravan upto my parents the weekend so will see how warm the vcu gets after that (8 mile run) so will get under and check. Gonna try and get it replaced under warranty anyway as I have a friend with a vat registered garage who is willing to condemn it for me.
 
Well, after having a good old read of the Bell Engineering website I decided to go out and have a little play earlier. Decided against the 'one wheel up' test and go straight in with the figure of 8.
Due to a distinct lack of gravel car parks I opted for our village hall Tarmac one which is slightly sloped so thought it a worth alternative. I was actually quite surprised. I could drive in circle backwards and forwards on full lock using only the idle speed to move the car (good sign maybe???). When I would dip the clutch from the idle speed the car would continue to move and although it is a little laboured it didn't come to an abrupt stop. I could easily go uphill backwards on full lock using only the idle rpm to move the car. Once I'd done that for about 15-20 laps I just gave it a bit of stick on route home and then quickly hopped underneath to see how hot it was. I wouldn't call it hot. The front most part of the VCU (the part behind the front bearing) was, at most warm. I could easily place my hand fully on it. The rear part (part closest to rear bearing...you get the picture ;)) was nice and cool. There where no knocks, grinds, bumps or rattles whilst driving or doing circles / figure if 8. As I ave already stated the car has covered 80,000 miles with full history but no detailed history (ie full itemised receipts).

Anyone have any thoughts on the outcome of the test.

If I'm honest I'm still gonna attempt to obtain a new VCu out of the warranty company if I can.

Big love. Phill.
 
Young love - fair warms the cockles of yer heart!!:D

Defo go for a new VCU if you can swing it!
 
DD3 said:
Young love - fair warms the cockles of yer heart!!:D

Defo go for a new VCU if you can swing it!
Click to expand...

I know yeah...it's not even really my car, bought it for the wife really (and to drag the caravan about).

I will be putting a VCU on just for peace of mind but wanted to test it as "ok" just while I wait to get a new one on warranty ( paid £400 for the warranty so I think getting a VCU out if them would level the scores :D).

I'm hoping in the meantime the test I've done have at least shown it has some life left in it???

I must be honest just looking at how this car gas been maintained I can't imagine it hasn't had one at some point but I like a but of peace of mind.
 
Ah, good point, already checked though and all faults including any present on delivery from the dealer are covered in full. The only term is that there is a £750 claim limit in first 14 days.
 
g15ost said:
I know yeah...it's not even really my car, bought it for the wife really (and to drag the caravan about).

I will be putting a VCU on just for peace of mind but wanted to test it as "ok" just while I wait to get a new one on warranty ( paid £400 for the warranty so I think getting a VCU out if them would level the scores :D).

I'm hoping in the meantime the test I've done have at least shown it has some life left in it???

I must be honest just looking at how this car gas been maintained I can't imagine it hasn't had one at some point but I like a but of peace of mind.
Click to expand...

When there bad you know it. Replaced mine at 85k, no history whatsoever. Just prior to change it was like the brakes were on in any kind of low speed manoeuvre. Wifey refused to drive it at this point - hated it. They all drag a bit - its the nature of the VCU. You will read that some of us drop the prop in summer to take the stress off the transmission and tyres. The difference in gearing from front to back was LR's strategy to make it drive like a FWD. This in combination with the VCU is the achilles heel.
 
I thought as much. I wil replace it regardless of cost anyway, even if I pay for it myself. It's not an issue. I am (well, was) a levelm3 qualified tech with vauxhall and Mercedes. Is there much difference in fuel consumption between 2 and 4wd. I will be towing a 1200kg caravan during the summer so am a little unsure about dropping the prop? Any thought?
 
g15ost said:
I thought as much. I wil replace it regardless of cost anyway, even if I pay for it myself. It's not an issue. I am (well, was) a levelm3 qualified tech with vauxhall and Mercedes. Is there much difference in fuel consumption between 2 and 4wd. I will be towing a 1200kg caravan during the summer so am a little unsure about dropping the prop? Any thought?
Click to expand...

Oddly, no difference I have ever found. Logic says MPG should be better as the vehicle roles freely in mondo - In my view its a better drive as FWD only (in normal road conditions), but opinions differ on this one.
 
he'll keep asking all the old questions if you keep answering!


noobs should use the search button, it's all been done before and better
 
Towing in 2WD is fine. FL1 is FWD until the front wheels slip anyway (save for previously discussed drag effect of VCU).
 
DD3 said:
Oddly, no difference I have ever found. Logic says MPG should be better as the vehicle roles freely in mondo - In my view its a better drive as FWD only (in normal road conditions), but opinions differ on this one.
Click to expand...

Yeah I must be honest my view is you buy a vehicle with 4wd because you either want or need it (in the majority if cases) so seems daft to pull it apart just o save a bit of money on derv. I think it'll be left as it is.


Oh... As or searching or topics already discussed in length. If we didn't talk about VCU / IRD / 2WD vs 4WD then it doesn't really leave much to talk about :D:D:D:D
 
Freelaner said:
he'll keep asking all the old questions if you keep answering!


noobs should use the search button, it's all been done before and better
Click to expand...

I know - but everything has been asked and answered B4. I can't talk wheels and tyres though, ever again!!!:D:D
 
g15ost said:
Yeah I must be honest my view is you buy a vehicle with 4wd because you either want or need it (in the majority if cases) so seems daft to pull it apart just o save a bit of money on derv. I think it'll be left as it is.


Oh... As or searching or topics already discussed in length. If we didn't talk about VCU / IRD / 2WD vs 4WD then it doesn't really leave much to talk about :D:D:D:D
Click to expand...

not for you maybe, i've been on here for two years and it gets tiresome llistening to the same old , now i just mess about and deride noobs :p
 
g15ost said:
Yeah I must be honest my view is you buy a vehicle with 4wd because you either want or need it (in the majority if cases) so seems daft to pull it apart just o save a bit of money on derv. I think it'll be left as it is.


Oh... As or searching or topics already discussed in length. If we didn't talk about VCU / IRD / 2WD vs 4WD then it doesn't really leave much to talk about :D:D:D:D
Click to expand...

All cool. Remember, FL1 and 2 for that matter are not 4x4 in the true sense, that say a Disco is. They are FWD with a get out of jail card!:)
 
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