I have recently bought my first Freelander and suspect that the VCU is starting to tighten up.
I have noticed some drivetrain windup with full lock turning, I suspect more than the design characterist of Freelanders. I have performed the socket and bar lever test with 8.5kg weight on a 1m bar, the time averaged about 45 seconds for a 45 degree turn. I have inspected the rear diff mounts and both the rear mounts are sound, the front centre mount has slight deterioration of the rubber. This appears to be the cause of the occasional knock from the rear end on deceleration and cornering.
I have exhausted all the numerous threads on VCU testing and have come to the conclusion, that for my peace of mind with 103,000 miles in the clock, I shall change it for a genuine GKN unit and GKN bearings.
On inspecting the VCU yesterday I noted that it looked surprisingly clean and not very old. I saw some GKN numbers on the unit with odd spacing between the various marks of the number such as 04 etc. The vehicle was first registered January 2004 on a 53 plate.
My question is this. Can I work out the date the VCU was made from the numbers on the unit?
Needless to say I don't want to change the VCU if it has been done. The seller had no record of it being changed in his 2 years of ownership.
Any help greatly appreciated.
I have noticed some drivetrain windup with full lock turning, I suspect more than the design characterist of Freelanders. I have performed the socket and bar lever test with 8.5kg weight on a 1m bar, the time averaged about 45 seconds for a 45 degree turn. I have inspected the rear diff mounts and both the rear mounts are sound, the front centre mount has slight deterioration of the rubber. This appears to be the cause of the occasional knock from the rear end on deceleration and cornering.
I have exhausted all the numerous threads on VCU testing and have come to the conclusion, that for my peace of mind with 103,000 miles in the clock, I shall change it for a genuine GKN unit and GKN bearings.
On inspecting the VCU yesterday I noted that it looked surprisingly clean and not very old. I saw some GKN numbers on the unit with odd spacing between the various marks of the number such as 04 etc. The vehicle was first registered January 2004 on a 53 plate.
My question is this. Can I work out the date the VCU was made from the numbers on the unit?
Needless to say I don't want to change the VCU if it has been done. The seller had no record of it being changed in his 2 years of ownership.
Any help greatly appreciated.