Freelander TD4 2002 Viscous Coupling?

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Culater

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Hi wonder if you experts can help me!?

I have noticed (Again this morning) when I leave me freelander overnight and come to it to drive next day when I try to pull away with handbrake off might I add (!) it feels as though rear brakes are bound on.... that is if I try to go forward or reverse.

So with a few revs and in 1st gear it "breaks" the bind with a CLONK and then is ok!

Could this be a VC problem?

Cant say I have really noticed an issue when on full lock etc etc...

Any ideas?
Thanks:)
 
So with a few revs and in 1st gear it "breaks" the bind with a CLONK and then is ok!

This is a brake fault. The brakes are sticking on. They tend to stick more when they are wet. Confirm diagnosis by parking overnight with the brakes off, you should drive away with no clonk.n
The problem could be either in the brake drum or in the cables. The shoes bind on the raised areas on the plates. Remove the shoes and clean then ever-so-lightly grease the contact points. lubricating the cables is more difficult.
 
Culater said:
Hi wonder if you experts can help me!?

I have noticed (Again this morning) when I leave me freelander overnight and come to it to drive next day when I try to pull away with handbrake off might I add (!) it feels as though rear brakes are bound on.... that is if I try to go forward or reverse.

So with a few revs and in 1st gear it "breaks" the bind with a CLONK and then is ok!

Could this be a VC problem?

Cant say I have really noticed an issue when on full lock etc etc...

Any ideas?
Thanks:)
Click to expand...

Sounds like a brake problem as already pointed out.

If you're concerned about the VCU, the best thing to do is to do a tippex test.
 
Thanks chaps - I must admit it does "feel" like the brakes stick on. And yes, it was wet yesterday and now today dry when I try to move off.

Tippex test? sounds interesting???

Thanks
Grahame
 
Mine did that till I changed the brake cylinders,(the o/s cylinder was leaking)and while I was at it I fitted new springs to both sides.
Both cylinders and brake spring,pin and clip kit were in stock at a local motor factors.Open them up first and see what needs replacing,if anything.
 
Culater said:
Thanks chaps - I must admit it does "feel" like the brakes stick on. And yes, it was wet yesterday and now today dry when I try to move off.

Tippex test? sounds interesting???

Thanks
Grahame
Click to expand...

It's a good way to test whether or not the VCU is seized. Most people will just tell you to "search tippex test", but if you do that, you will come across dozens of posts saying "search for the tippex test!" before you actually come across it!

I did the search for ya. Just click the link below. The post contains info on what to do.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/1015222-post3.html

Rich
 
So I put tippex where the yellow dots are then what?.... I presume that after a drive if they are not lined up the vcu is kaput???? Plse can you explain it for me - thanks again!
 
Culater said:
So I put tippex where the yellow dots are then what?.... I presume that after a drive if they are not lined up the vcu is kaput???? Plse can you explain it for me - thanks again!
Click to expand...

No, they should not line up after you've driven it for awhile. I did the test and the first time I looked, I noticed that they were pretty much lined up still. It turned out to be a coincidence, because I drove further, and checked again, and they were not lined up.

In simple terms the VCU is designed to create some slippage so that less power goes to the rear wheels when the power is not needed. The tippex test will only tell you if the VCU has seized. It will not tell you if the VCU is on its way out. It is said that it should be replaced every 70k miles.

I was rather concerned about what I first thought to be a design fault. I emailed a specialist asking whether or not my model was prone to this problem. Although they didn't completely put my mind at rest, they did make me look at it from a different perspective.

freelanderspecialist.com said:
Congratulations on your purchase - the TD4 Freelanders are a great vehicle, and certainly do not have the engine problems that a 1.8 has.

With regard to the issue of the IRD / VCU it can still occur on your model, however it is not so much a design problem as it is an information problem.

The main reason Freelander owners have issues with their IRD is because they do not realise the VCU is an item that should be replaced at regular intervals - 70,000 to 100,000 miles. Because the viscous fluid is in a sealed unit in the VCU it is impossible to check it or replace it. Hence the only way is to change the whole unit for either a new one or a reconditioned one that has had the viscous fluid replaced (NEVER replace it with a used VCU as you will not know the condition of the viscous fluid). If you replace your VCU as a routine service item (much like you would a cambelt) then you should not get the problem.

I hope this helps to reassure you that you have made a great choice, and please get in touch if we can be of any further assistance.

All the best,
Sue
Click to expand...

So yeah, keep an eye on it and get it replaced when it's due, and you should be ok.

Rich
 
Last edited:
Many thanks Rich - my landy done 75k now so must be due soon then?! What is the cost to have it replaced approx? Ive heard many stories with so many differing figures.... £500?, £600? ??? OUCH!
 
I've just had a very similar problem. It was indeed the rear brakes sticking due to insufficient greasing. A little copper grease will solve your problems... :)
 
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