Mondo mode
- Thread starter Bioman
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faureb
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I just removed the propshaft. Nothing needs to be done after removing. I removed both front propshaft, VCU and rear propshaft. Been like that for 2 years now.
G13SJC
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Exactly as the user before stated...
I have tried, but have reverted back to 4 wheel drive.
Fuel ecomony and acceleration were better.
Traction control does appear more, but only when pulling off from a junction on a hill in wet weather...
I would keep mine in Mondo for 6 months a year, but have concerns about the VCU seizing whilts in storage (Ie not being used)
Regards,
Steve
I have tried, but have reverted back to 4 wheel drive.
Fuel ecomony and acceleration were better.
Traction control does appear more, but only when pulling off from a junction on a hill in wet weather...
I would keep mine in Mondo for 6 months a year, but have concerns about the VCU seizing whilts in storage (Ie not being used)
Regards,
Steve
Right!! The hippo drives fine, but i am getting a vibration, will that be coming from the IRD output?? Will putting the front prop and VCU back on sort this?? Is that still Mondo mode?, and will it be saving the IRD if the VCU does seize up!! Cheers guy's
Darmain
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Yeap, vibration is quite common. I believe it is not possible to put the VC back without all the shafts but I may be wrong. If the prop is severed then you're in Mondo mode. Of course the more tranmission you're turning the more fuel your burning so if you can put up with the vibration then do so and leave the shafts off. Look after that VC, it might not appreciate being stuck still for too long in the garage.
Might be worth checking that on side front drive shaft. Is there play in the CV and has the oil seal given up? If so I would suspect that is where your vibration is coming from. Fixed mine by replacing the shaft. Runs quite now but I run 4WD as I can't see the point of having a Landrover in 2WD. Still if you perfer it that way then thats great.
Good luck.
Northern Irelander
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I can't see the point of permanent 4wd on tarmac
Re: the VCU, there are no reports of it seizing when in storage, why would a sealed unit seize? :scratching_chin:
No difference to a VCU sitting in your garage and a new one sitting on the shelf in the warehouse
G13SJC
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I wonder what causes them to sieze on the car?? My vehicle is used daily and the OE VCU works fine so I was guessing due to lack of use??
If I new it would be ok, then I would remove for half the year (as I have done prevously) although i do worry about insurance issues should the unexpected happen!!
A nice playground of compacted snow / ice ensured that my tippex lines are now opposed!!
Regars,
Steve
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Do you know how they operate, Steve - they have 2 sets of rotor blades interposed with a Silicone Jelly - the viscosity of which determines the drag between the two sets of blades. Constant shearing of the jelly by the two sets of blades causes the jelly to break down in one of two ways ......
1) no shear strength - ie the vcu does not impart drive through to the rear prop.
2) solidification - ie the vcu is seized and you have 4wd all the time with resultant damage to the drive train.
this answer yo Q?
Going to work today and back it's been fine. no vibration what so-ever,
Don't know if it's my imagination, but i was on the motorway for about Two hours last night, and it seemed to be getting worse near the end of the journey. Think i may need to monitor this, it does drive better though, the steering seems lighter, and better at turning, and reversing on full lock.
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not to my knowledge.
Darmain
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Not much point exercising the VCU anyway as the deliberate misalignment of the drive ratios between the front a rear diffs means that the VCU has to slip during normal driving anyway.
It seems that it is believed this was a mistake on Landrovers part. Is it really? It would seen to me that a true 50/50 split in the power disribution would lead to a very unpredictable car. Is it going to oversteer or understeer? I have no knowledge of the larger Landys with a proper central diff but I would be very surprised if they are 50/50 split.
With regards to the preference for Mondo mode, I bought my Hippo because it provides 4WD. It drives better for it in my view. There is no pitch when you pull away for one thing. My Hippos main purpose is caravan hauling. I prefer it when at least 50% of the wheels are being powered. The traction control, for the very rare time that it is needed, also ensures that you have multiwheel traction when the going gets soft. Better than the 2WD that becomes 1WD when the traction gives up.
As I said, everyone is different. If Mondo mode suits you then that's great. I would check where you stand on the insurance front though, your car is technically modified from manufactures spec.
It seems that it is believed this was a mistake on Landrovers part. Is it really? It would seen to me that a true 50/50 split in the power disribution would lead to a very unpredictable car. Is it going to oversteer or understeer? I have no knowledge of the larger Landys with a proper central diff but I would be very surprised if they are 50/50 split.
With regards to the preference for Mondo mode, I bought my Hippo because it provides 4WD. It drives better for it in my view. There is no pitch when you pull away for one thing. My Hippos main purpose is caravan hauling. I prefer it when at least 50% of the wheels are being powered. The traction control, for the very rare time that it is needed, also ensures that you have multiwheel traction when the going gets soft. Better than the 2WD that becomes 1WD when the traction gives up.
As I said, everyone is different. If Mondo mode suits you then that's great. I would check where you stand on the insurance front though, your car is technically modified from manufactures spec.
G13SJC
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Thanks for the reply. I have read many threads on this forum about this and understand how it works. - many are your posts!!
My question was about the silicone - If I remove the VCU, then will it lock up solid whilst in storage?? It does not matter too much anyway as I am going to leave my vehicle set up in 4x4 mode. (Best for winter / spring conditions and also I camp between June and July, so not worth removing and refitting.)
Thanks for your reply.
Regards,
Steve
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Sad - innit?
My understanding is that as Silicone is an inert item, it wont matter about storage at all - it is only the mechanical degredation that causes the problem. I certainly have not heard of any failures from storage, however I wouldnt store it in a freezer or in an Amazonian jungle
.
G13SJC
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however I wouldnt store it in a freezer or in an Amazonian jungle
Strange you should say that - the floor of my garage is so cold (this time of year) that I have put old car mats down where I stand at my bench when tinkering whilst on the other hand the roofspace in the apex is like a sweatshop during the summer months...
Hopefully mine will last until we can find a better solution....
Failing that at £30 per year its not an expensive consumable (calculated on my current couplings life)
Regards,
Steve
Northern Irelander
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That's fair enough Darmain about towing and traction.
Re the 50:50 of course LR balls it up, they denied the fudged transmission.
If it was bespoke from the beginning then why did they decide to rectify the problem in 2001.
Plenty of more simplistic means to enhance the handling.
Uprated dampers, changed camber angles, toe in, toe out, they've all been done before.
Take the Lotus elise, heavy oversteer, so they made skinnier tyres at the front. One of the best handling cars ever made.....simple.
Re insurance, that's a whole argument in itself, shouldn't really come into mondo mode equation.
Plus, insurance companies don't usually send inspectors now, if they did would they even notice? It's mostly done by photos taken by the repair bodyshop, decision is made within hours by the insurance company.
There were gales here at the weekend, was speaking to a guy who said a roof tile fell off the roof, straight through the rear window of the motor and dented the boot floor. He phoned the insurance company, who said 'sorry no pay out, it was an act of god'.............bandits!
Look on the positive side of mondo mode, peeps are saving money fuel wise, it's greener, less carbon footprint. Something LR will need to think about for future vehicle design given the green credentials companies use, taxation and legislation for producers
The competition SUVs are light years ahead on these policies.
