Freelander 1 HCU - Hippo Coupling Unit (TM)

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hd3 said:
be a tad difference between dampners 'n a vcu unit ..
.. centrifugal force ..
what might that do to metal particals suspended in a liquid ?

~~~~~~~

and does anyone know just what causes the vcu liquid to loose its' properties ?
i.e. loosing its' ability to change physical state from liquid to solid at a given temperature

is it heat ? .. time ? .. production quality of the 'new' liquid ?

seen it written that the vcu needs 'exercise' to stay healthy
i.e. to engage 4wd once in a while
any scientific evidence for that ?

~~~~~

rekon i'd rather have an extra lockable-from-cab coupling between the ird and vcu
de-couple for constant 2wd and saving on vcu wear 'n tear ..
re-couple for winter or off-roading ..

used to have a lockable rear diff on a hgv .. ( for snow and ice traction )
was air operated .. swith in-cab ..
problem: need air compressor and attachments ..
and leaving it 'on' when on a dry non slip surface .. meant ..
screwed rear diff and big hole in bank account ..

~~~~~

nice thing about the vcu ..
it's automatic .. few moving parts .. doesn't depend on being hooked up to sensors
or require hydraulics or electrical wiring ..
and no doubt cheaper to replace than a haldex coupling ..

~~~~

imho .. a temp sensor on/in the ird unit .. with in-cab display
would suffice in keeping-an-eye-on the condition of the vcu unit
stress equals heat .. ird starts to run hotter than 'normal .. good chance the vcu is kaputsky
( or another componenet in the drive-train ) .. or as near as ..
Click to expand...
Some interesting thoughts there. Spinning metal parts could cause a problem. In the dampers they would just be shaken and not stirred.

The best way to measure stress on the vcu is to measure it's own temp (Turnip Test) as this is linked to the torque it's trying to hold, we think, when looking at the graph. Most of the ird heat seems to be from the engine and coolant I think.

Generally from what I can see, vcu's at higher speeds warm up quicker. Those who do many motorway miles probably don't go oft road, or use their vcu much. Hence they work hotter/more and then when they fail peeps link this to no oft road use. Even the mags quote "use it or lose it" but they don't have any measurements or proof behind that, to print. Hence our results request to try to understand the vcu more.
 
DD3 said:
Assume the doors stayed on! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
They won't open. It's locked itself.

I've driven a D4 at a LR eggperience day. That electric park thing is annoying. Also used it on hire cars. At the time we agreed the Freelander was the betterer choice for me and I did an eggperience day with one of them too at a later date. But now the new Freelanders have it too. :eek:
 
WLJayne said:
Yep but it might not be the end for it. Just have to wait and see.
Click to expand...
Most flood cars get written oft these days. Changing all the seats, carpets, air bags, trim etc along with electrical faults and the big clean up, it's not worth it. Eggpecially as it's worth a fair bit when stripped for parts.
 
Hippo said:
Even the mags quote "use it or lose it" but they don't have any measurements or proof behind that, to print. Hence our results request to try to understand the vcu more.
Click to expand...

I've thought that too. Well I'll be doing two torque tests for you this weekend, one of a brand new Bell recon and one of my old ratty one.
 
WLJayne said:
I've thought that too. Well I'll be doing two torque tests for you this weekend, one of a brand new recon and one of my old ratty one.
Click to expand...
ooooo nice. :)

Make sure they're both cold when you do it, for comparison.
 
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.. is to measure it's own temp (Turnip Test) as this is linked to the torque it's trying to hold, we think, when looking at the graph.
Click to expand...
oh .. now i understand the 'why' of the turnip test better :)

Those who do many motorway miles probably don't go oft road, or use their vcu much. Hence they work hotter/more and then when they fail peeps link this to no oft road use.
Click to expand...

good point .. makes sense

~~~~~~~~

i've been trying to figure a way to constantly measure the vcu temp ..
i.e. when driving ..

one of those i.r. digital temp sensors .. mounted underneath and aimed at the vcu ..
might stand a chance .. but would need the display mounted in the cab ..
and the 'trigger' always to be 'on' when driving ..

or maybe .. a copper strip around the vcu .. with a spring loaded brush ..
( to transmit the electrical signal ) attached to a temp sensor physicaly mounted on the vcu ..
i guess it would need to be balanced ..
and the rubbing strip be capable of generating minimum heat as well

or a static ring mounted around the vcu .. but not in contact with it
and with shielding against air-flow ..
maybe a ring with a 'u' ( inverted ) shape profile ..
'n mount the temp sensor within the ring at the top of the inverted 'u' profile

~~~~~~~
 
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Hippo said:
ooooo nice. :)

Make sure they're both cold when you do it, for comparison.
Click to expand...

Not tae worry, I've got a ****e load to do this weekend and I'll leave the torque test til last. Plus I have my super duper laser thermometer thingy so I should be able to give pretty accurate temp readings.

I reckon if you actually take it oft road now and again it'll shake the VCU up a bit - like when you take a car for a good thrash before it's MOT to get better emissions readings :).
 
WLJayne said:
They wouldn't open apparently :eek:.
Click to expand...

Hippo said:
They won't open. It's locked itself.

I've driven a D4 at a LR eggperience day. That electric park thing is annoying. Also used it on hire cars. At the time we agreed the Freelander was the betterer choice for me and I did an eggperience day with one of them too at a later date. But now the new Freelanders have it too. :eek:
Click to expand...

Yes, My other half's Tiguan (is this how u spell it) has it - how is this progress??? Handbrake lever for me - oh and I don't need sensors and cameras to park thanks very much, rant,rant.
 
DD3 said:
Yes, My other half's Tiguan (is this how u spell it) has it - how is this progress??? Handbrake lever for me - oh and I don't need sensors and cameras to park thanks very much, rant,rant.
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It's to help people who can't park to park a little less ****tily but they still park like c*nts.

Frankly, the only thing I would want that I don't have on my SE Freelander is a dash GPS. Which I can fit myself anwway.

But all this reverse camera electronic handbrake bullhicky can just feck orf. I'm the goddamn driver, I tell you where to go and you go there, car. I hate having my every action picked apart by a fooking electronic quango in new cars - thems is for people who can't drive but for those of us for whom a car is an eggstension of the body it's a right ballache begorrah!
 
WLJayne said:
Same with the Evoque mate :rolleyes:.
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Take ur point re rear view. Cant see me ever owning an Evoque (or any kind of Nissan). Got me thinking, there's much to be said for a gismo less Defender or early Disco. I realise that there's many a thing I cant fix on a car but have usually had a good idea of what's wrong - so no pulling wool over my eyes, sadly less the case anymore. Re sat nav, mine lives in glove box (hope its still there) cos I know the way to Halfords, LR dealer, me old Mums etc. Realise its a must for sales peps and other road warriors - that's all I have to say on subject of modern motors.
 
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hd3 said:
...i've been trying to figure a way to constantly measure the vcu temp ..
i.e. when driving ..

one of those i.r. digital temp sensors .. mounted underneath and aimed at the vcu ..
might stand a chance .. but would need the display mounted in the cab ..
and the 'trigger' always to be 'on' when driving ...
Click to expand...
I mounted mine underneath with additional trigger swich in the cab on longer wires. Put a water proof camera looking at the display so I could see the reading underneath when I pressed the remote trigger. Helped me to get to know my vcu. Took it oft now so I just stop and get out to measure instead.
 
Back on the selectable 4x4 topic (which for many reasons is still a good idea mainly to save VCU wear in summer when it isn't really needed) surely the simplest way is to have a dog clutch with some sort of gated lever in the cab?
 
stewart09 said:
Back on the selectable 4x4 topic (which for many reasons is still a good idea mainly to save VCU wear in summer when it isn't really needed) surely the simplest way is to have a dog clutch with some sort of gated lever in the cab?
Click to expand...

Agree, but most will say just drop the prop off for summer - trouble is, if like me u don't get around to putting it back on, then you get used to it as a mondo. Was in production for 8 years and out of for 6 and no solution has been made available. Don't get me wrong, I think its great the you guys are still looking at it!
 
stewart09 said:
Back on the selectable 4x4 topic (which for many reasons is still a good idea mainly to save VCU wear in summer when it isn't really needed) surely the simplest way is to have a dog clutch with some sort of gated lever in the cab?
Click to expand...


not that simple as yu need slip between front & back.
 
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