get Vcu done or not?

Are these not available new from the main dealer? I wouldnt mind getting mine done when ive got the spare doller just for piece of mind, as my 02 freelander has done 90k and theres nothing in the service history to say its been done before.

Theres nothing to suggest that its not working as it should, although i dont notice any slip from the front wheels.

Im in the south west, what would you suggest I do?

check it regularly.

The Mad Hat Man said:

check it regularly.

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But there's nothing to check except for those torque and tippex tests. Most experts seem to call shens.

RichM said:

But there's nothing to check except for those torque and tippex tests. Most experts seem to call shens.

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And??
Wot more do yu want?

For peace of mind you could change pretty much anything.

But then would you have peace of mind in the new things?

Leave it alone, save your money and enjoy your car.

Cheers

Blippie

Just Tippex test it regularly.

Recently changed my VCU "on spec" so to speak.
Done 140k miles and a support bearing was getting noisy so dropped the lot...
Changed the vcu and bearings.
VCU was passing the tipex test, I reverse out ever morning on nearly full lock and the back end did feel like it was skipping a little bit. With the new VCU that feeling has gone.
So, VCU was passing tippex test, but new VCU definately feels better on reversing. That skipping sensation has gone.
Nothing conclusive, just my experience.

Chris.

Send it to us and we will test it for free

CJK said:

Recently changed my VCU "on spec" so to speak.
Done 140k miles and a support bearing was getting noisy so dropped the lot...
Changed the vcu and bearings.
VCU was passing the tipex test, I reverse out ever morning on nearly full lock and the back end did feel like it was skipping a little bit. With the new VCU that feeling has gone.
So, VCU was passing tippex test, but new VCU definately feels better on reversing. That skipping sensation has gone.
Nothing conclusive, just my experience.

Chris.

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Where did you get the new one from? was it brand spanking new or recon? How much did it cost?

Cheers!

I've just replaced mine at 72k, a Bell Engineering recon, £200, + vat etc. They also fitted the new support bearings on the recon, good uns, not cheap crap. Very very slight braking effect on full lock reverse turns, as one would expect. 4WD works as it should. I'm well happy with my recon unit and the peace of mind that it is working properly, which my original one was not.
A failed IRD and /or rear diff is lots of money, more so if you havn't the time or facilities or skills to do the swap yourself.
Cheap insurance for another 60k miles? Its your choice.
NB. I have absolutely nothing to do with Bell Engineering, other than being a satisfied client!
Regards, Bill.

Avoid Beaumont gearbox's for recon VCU's. They are crap and have no drive to the rear. They recondition them like it to save wear on IRD's??? They dont tell you this when ordering. I only found out when i got stuck off road with only front wheel drive.

Their website says that if you buy a rear diff or ird from them, then it's only warrantied if you also fit one of their recon vcu's. Ha Ha, no wonder , if the vcu they sell doesnt actually work as a vcu.
I understand they have a good reputation re. conventional gearboxes for series, defenders etc. Why risk spoiling that with selling a recon vcu that doesnt work? Idiots!!!

There seems to be a lot of companies out there who will quote themselves to be experts on Freelanders. Driven by making a profit, rather than customer satisfaction and old fashioned value for money. Joining a forum like this is a good start as we can weed out the offenders, by learning from other peeps experiences, good or bad.

There’s also a number of companies who offer upgraded parts, but few which openly offer a downgraded part, which they self quote to be betterer than the part they’re replacing.

So who's the best to buy from?

I'm going to buy recon ird/vcu with bearings.

It's a big investment for me but it's better than the alternative ( a 2wd Freelander )

Mick

Riverside said:

I've just replaced mine at 72k, a Bell Engineering recon, £200, + vat etc. They also fitted the new support bearings on the recon, good uns, not cheap crap. Very very slight braking effect on full lock reverse turns, as one would expect. 4WD works as it should. I'm well happy with my recon unit and the peace of mind that it is working properly, which my original one was not.
A failed IRD and /or rear diff is lots of money, more so if you havn't the time or facilities or skills to do the swap yourself.
Cheap insurance for another 60k miles? Its your choice.
NB. I have absolutely nothing to do with Bell Engineering, other than being a satisfied client!
Regards, Bill.

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I think what i will do is give bell engineering a call, Im in devon, but I go to visit family in birmingham now and again (infact ive just sodding come back a few days ago!) Do you think if i took my freelander in they could have a look and see if its buggered, I have a noise which sounds like the prop shaft bearing rumbling so think it would be good for them to take a look and then i could get it done and have some of that piece of mind you talk so fondly of!

Cheers for the recomendation.

wassall said:

I think what i will do is give bell engineering a call, Im in devon, but I go to visit family in birmingham now and again (infact ive just sodding come back a few days ago!) Do you think if i took my freelander in they could have a look and see if its buggered, I have a noise which sounds like the prop shaft bearing rumbling so think it would be good for them to take a look and then i could get it done and have some of that piece of mind you talk so fondly of!

Cheers for the recomendation.

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Not a problem, i'll even have a look at it on an evening or a weekend if its more convenient for you.

austen said:

Not a problem, i'll even have a look at it on an evening or a weekend if its more convenient for you.

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Hi, im asuming your the man from bell?! Im not sure when im next down that way as ive only just come back. How much notice would you need? I could probably bring it in the morning, but it may indeed be at the weekend. If you could pm me your number and i can give you a call when i know im going to be your way soon. Chris

Austin. Im looking at getting another vcu and bearings. How much would you charge to supply and fit these for me? I live in wednesbury so not to far from you.

wassall said:

Hi, im asuming your the man from bell?! Im not sure when im next down that way as ive only just come back. How much notice would you need? I could probably bring it in the morning, but it may indeed be at the weekend. If you could pm me your number and i can give you a call when i know im going to be your way soon. Chris

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pm sent

All done! Went up to brum last weekend and gave bell engineering a call and they managed to fit me in that evening and changed the VCU. Car drives a lot better now, no squirming when turning and no binding feeling when on full lock.
It also goes a bit quicker, I didnt realise a knackered VCU was holding the car back so much.

The rumbling noise is also gone, that was being caused by the vcu bearing.

ive been through some snow and its had no problems, attacks mud and snow like an angry Jack Russell!

All in all im very pleased, not only with the peace of mind having it done has given me but the cars so much nicer to drive now.

Bell Engineering know exactly what they are doing, can highly recommend them from my experience.

cheers, Chris