How to recondition a VCU yourself.

PopRivet said:

You are deffinately the Dog's biggest thingies! I've been scouring the www for information on how to do what you have posted. I've already ordered new bearings so the next step is to order the liquid, get some White-Spirit, large syringes and all the rest. I'm doing it.
I was intending to use model Nitro-Fuel or Naptha for the cleaning, in my original plan, but the Spirit idea gets it. I'm all for recycling & shear ingenuity, and you have shown both. F'n brilliant.
And this is what a good forum should be like. I can't wait to get going on this little project. Thanks.

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Thanks for the kind words but this is only my version of other peoples experiences, nothing here is new.
BTW next time I do it I'll be taking a very close look at Andyfreelandys technique and will probably copy as much as I can of his work, he was able to do in a couple of days what took me over a week.

One point I have not seen discussed - what is the material used in the seals on the VCU - and what is the danger of degrading them with the use of flushing solvents?. What is the safest? what should be avoided?
Any facts? - (I like facts - opinions only get mired in flame wars)

dfossil said:

One point I have not seen discussed - what is the material used in the seals on the VCU - and what is the danger of degrading them with the use of flushing solvents?. What is the safest? what should be avoided?
Any facts? - (I like facts - opinions only get mired in flame wars)

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That's a good point. The seal can obviously take a degree of pressure. But some investigation on the seal's design and material is needed.

I've found the following information, and reckon the seals would not be made of silicon-based products, as the fluid itself would degrade them.
With this in mind, the seals would have to made of a material that would be intert to silicone, which seems to be a silicone-free rubber base.
And as the VCU is fitted to a vehicle that has mineral (organic) oils up to the ying-yang, my guessing is they are of a substance that would withstand most mineral solvents.
For instance, the clear plastic bottles you get drinking-water in is oil based and will dissolve if petrol is poured in.
It seems that organic-based compounds can affect silicone, in that it makes it expand. If, for instance, white-spirit is used and some residue remains, the silicone-oil compund structure may alter in consequence.
With this in mind, my plan is to now use alcohol to flush the VCU of silicone. I will also allow it to vent with enough time to allow evaporation to occur, which in-turn should leave no trace.
See the following...

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS - Silicone oil)
Thus PDMS structures can be used in combination with water and alcohol solvents without material deformation. However most organic solvents will diffuse into the material and cause it to swell,[4] making them incompatible with PDMS devices. Despite this, some organic solvents lead to sufficiently small swelling that they can be used with PDMS, for instance within the channels of PDMS microfluidic devices. The swelling ratio is roughly inversely related to the solubility parameter of the solvent. Diisopropylamine swells PDMS to the greatest extent; solvents such as chloroform, ether, and THF swell the material to a large extent. Solvents such as acetone, 1-propanol, and pyridine swell the material to a small extent. Alcohols and polar solvents such as methanol, glycerol and water do not swell the material appreciably.[6]

dfossil said:

One point I have not seen discussed - what is the material used in the seals on the VCU - and what is the danger of degrading them with the use of flushing solvents?. What is the safest? what should be avoided?
Any facts? - (I like facts - opinions only get mired in flame wars)

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I mentioned this earlier in the thread, and it's why I didn't try acetone. I don't know if it would have caused any problems and it mightn't have been any good at dissolving the old fluid/gunge but I didn't try it even though I have a couple of litres.
White spirit, petrol, kerosene and diesel have all been used without any issues so far.

I have a request, in relation to a Freelander's VCU.
Can anyone offer us a picture/photo or a detailed sketch of the VCU's innards and its structure? That would be extremely helpful in determining the best and most efficient method of gaining an entry into its guts.
For instance, can the outer rim be drilled through for access and the removal of the suspect liquid?

I put a few up in this thread.
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/looks-like-ive-done-it-again-doh.293904/#post-3651096
As for drilling through the outer rim, no don't do it.

PopRivet said:

I have a request, in relation to a Freelander's VCU.
Can anyone offer us a picture/photo or a detailed sketch of the VCU's innards and its structure? That would be extremely helpful in determining the best and most efficient method of gaining an entry into its guts.
For instance, can the outer rim be drilled through for access and the removal of the suspect liquid?

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https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/diy-vcu-service.252957/page-2

PopRivet said:

I have a request, in relation to a Freelander's VCU.
Can anyone offer us a picture/photo or a detailed sketch of the VCU's innards and its structure? That would be extremely helpful in determining the best and most efficient method of gaining an entry into its guts.
For instance, can the outer rim be drilled through for access and the removal of the suspect liquid?

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There is an exploded view here http://www.syncro.org/VCTest.html

Madmustang said:

There is an exploded view here http://www.syncro.org/VCTest.html

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whats wrong with using the data that already exists on landyzone?

wtf is the point of creating and publishing information if peeps are

a) to lazy to fecking look?
b) keep posting to other sites?

why join LZ - just stay on other sites if you aren't interested in info published on here

The Mad Hat Man said:

whats wrong with using the data that already exists on landyzone?

wtf is the point of creating and publishing information if peeps are

a) to lazy to fecking look?
b) keep posting to other sites?

why join LZ - just stay on other sites if you aren't interested in info published on here

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You get outa bed the wrong side this mornin ya grumpy bu@@er? Did ya forget what it's like to be new here?
Now't wrong with linking to info many of us won't have seen.

The Mad Hat Man said:

whats wrong with using the data that already exists on landyzone?

wtf is the point of creating and publishing information if peeps are

a) to lazy to fecking look?
b) keep posting to other sites?

why join LZ - just stay on other sites if you aren't interested in info published on here

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Just giving the poor guy what he asked for. The picture is here if it makes you feel any better

..

The Mad Hat Man said:

whats wrong with using the data that already exists on landyzone?

wtf is the point of creating and publishing information if peeps are

a) to lazy to fecking look?
b) keep posting to other sites?

why join LZ - just stay on other sites if you aren't interested in info published on here

Click to expand...

Hey... dip-****... why are you being so flaming Fnn nasty? If I knew the postings you mention I wouldn't be friggen Fnn asking, would I?
Jeez, get a friggen Fnn life or grab a sharp blade and do us all a friggen Fnn favour. What a nasty guy you REALLY are!
All you need to do is update those who are unaware of the postings of others, instead of being an absolute Merde!!
I don't speak French but do know how to evade the correction of www mForums, you Fnn Merde.
And to those who are Fnn helpful to others... I do appologise for my Fnn language. lol

Oh, and thanks for the information I require, to thise who KINDLY replied.
As for Madhat, have you ever used mercury in your life? Hence your name/handle. Check it out! Chemistry, I know it.

I am out of this thread. I am going to my safe space........The local Pub

PopRivet said:

Hey... dip-****... why are you being so flaming Fnn nasty? If I knew the postings you mention I wouldn't be friggen Fnn asking, would I?
Jeez, get a friggen Fnn life or grab a sharp blade and do us all a friggen Fnn favour. What a nasty guy you REALLY are!
All you need to do is update those who are unaware of the postings of others, instead of being an absolute Merde!!
I don't speak French but do know how to evade the correction of www mForums, you Fnn Merde.
And to those who are Fnn helpful to others... I do appologise for my Fnn language. lol

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how about learning to fnn search? you may know chemistry, but know sweet FA about LZ.

As for me being nasty you aint seen nothing .

most of the historical info was posted by me - up to 10 years ago, so read it and learn

Sorry about going on & on with this subject concerning the Freelander, but I have to add the following. I've been on several forums, for several reasons, but Landyzone seems to be inhabited by those who are not only informed but also extremely educated! There may be one-or-two who are perhaps doubtful though. It's the fact that I can quote and include relevant scientific and specific ideas, where replies are consistent and compatible with current theories, directives & experience, all making sensible decisions for those who ask questions. This evidence of a higher-level of intelect proposes to myself, and hopefully others, the Land Rover is a vehicle that attracts the best of our species for the very best of reasons. And I know this sounds like... crap... to some, but I mean it.
The resultant of my intrepid & mind-provoking thesis is this ... if you own a Land Rover, you are one of the best with an idealogical mind-set that appreciates quality and breeding.
And if you own & run another breed... get a life. lol. I love to write, being an author, and do tend to get carried away - sometimes. Land Rover is the best, in my opinion. It's a thoroughbred - even if mine does have a BMW engine. I used to restore BSA's, Triumphs, Villiers, AJS's, etc, so know how good a vehicle is. I've been a Petrol-Head from the age of 14, so I'm well on my way to being an old fart when it comes to knowing what's god and what's merde. lol
And if you consider I'm talking/writing rubbish, go get yourself a KIA.

nothing wrong with Kias.. horses for courses.

The Mad Hat Man said:

how about learning to fnn search? you may know chemistry, but know sweet FA about LZ.

As for me being nasty you aint seen nothing .

most of the historical info was posted by me - up to 10 years ago, so read it and learn

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Hey, I trust everything I read from individuals such as yourself. You have far more experience with the Freelander than I might ever have. You just need to see that some of us Newbies are not so educated with the vehicle or this Forum, and need some pointers. Just chill, my man, and try to see where we need to know what's-what. That's what we're all about, isn't it? Helping each other.
I don't think you're nasty, certainly not as nasty as my ex-wife, who took everything I had, the b**ch.