more vcu confusion

hey all, i have been looking at prices for a replacment vcu, as mine has done 89500mls, & i can't find anything in the history to suggest it has been done, my dillema come as while i searched, a thread on vcu's came up back in 2010 on here, (landyzone), suggesting tightness in reverse & some sawing of rear tyres is common, & not a sign of an issue, i don't have any of these, (so far touch wood) it's just a precationary measure, any more info would be appreciated, as there is alot of conflicting info, & i really could do without any unnessacaray spend at the mo, thanks for looking, martyn

jack one rear wheel up and turn it with socket and bar regulary ,you will feel when it stiffens enough to be effectively seized ,it should turn stiffly but smoothly

martyn....you will no doubt have trawled through the endless threads (one in particular features a bit of a tedious slanging match) on here about VCU "tests" - I don't think anyone can read them and come out the other side any wiser. Unfortunately I dont think we as a community of Freelander owners have settled on a definitive test based on well established bench mark figures - not yet anyway.

I'm in a similar position although mine has only done 54K miles - I've just taken the prop off last night and it feels much more free. With the VCU on it was almost like driving with the hand brake half-on, when in full-lock going forwards or backwards. To my mind this was not right....but then I have no prior experience of Freelanders! My issue is perhaps exasperated by the fact the previous owner fitted different tyres front and back and also my fear of needing a new IRD unit.

I did the 'test' and got approx 1 min 30 secs for a 45 degree arc ( 1meter lever with 5kg weight)....thinking about it though - until we have some solid bench mark figures the test is a bit pointless IMHO.

The explanation here seems to be the best around but does not give you any advice about testing it yourself - they do offer to test it for you for free though if you pay postage.

Symptoms - Bell Engineering

Matt

the trick is to check regulary ,as they stiffen over time

thanks matt, as you rightfully say, there does not appear to be an easy answear, i don't seem to have the binding feeling, but having said that, i'm also new to freelanders, so it could be, & i would'nt be aware as you say, i think i'm paronoid, as i seem to have bad luck with cars, just hope it is o.k

jamesmartin said:

the trick is to check regulary ,as they stiffen over time

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i'm confused over this test as well, as i read a thread on this, & it got into a heated debate as to weather this actually works or not:frusty: i do have a very local independent lr specialist, but always think there going to give you a doom & gloom diagnostic no matter what this is mushing my swede.......

i first come across vcus when reconditioning borg warner transfer boxes for lr ,borgwarners own on vehicle test was the same ,and in the workshop it was a torque wrench test for given time /distance /temp ,they vcus stiffened to seizing on the rrc but generally after a longer time as rr is equal drive to both axles freelander has front wheels driven slightly faster than rear to give front wheel drive feel ,obviously you cant actually strip the vcu to see condition, but you can check its not too stiff and if done regulary you will see when it does they stiffen over time,you can check it locks by pulling sharply on bar and measure its resistance by slow pull on the bar ,the stiffer it gets the greater stress applied to ird or rear diff etc

Hi all

In my modest opinion, if you are willing to spend anything from 300-700 quid for a cambelt change every 60k, then spending similar on a VCU is a no brainer. If a VCU fails and you don't notice, you soon will when the IRD and final drive fail, and it could cost you up to three times as much, if not more. If you feel it's failing and haven't got funds to replace it, the best option is to remove it - I've done the same, it runs more than fine under normal driving conditions, and (eventually) I will refit a new one.

Martyn,
if you have no symptoms, not trying to stop on full lock, no tyre skipping, no odd tyre wear then stop worrying about it. Its not a service item.

Davidspect said:

Martyn,
if you have no symptoms, not trying to stop on full lock, no tyre skipping, no odd tyre wear then stop worrying about it. Its not a service item.

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no, as i say, no obvious problems, i read up on ird / vcu problems before i bought it, & followed the advice on bell enginerings web page, full lock in reverse, if it try's to stall on full lock in reverse, all o.k, just seems to be alot of owners on here who are having problems can anyone please tell me where the 70000mls vcu life expectancy came from?, thanks again for looking, martyn

jamesmartin said:

the trick is to check regulary ,as they stiffen over time

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Seems to take me a little longer these days but I still get there

Just had my VCU replaced by bell I'm going to post a thread about it. As the service was top notch and they know there stuff about freelanders. Mine had done 74k and had matched tyres all it's life replaced In Sets of four. It wasnt completley gone but was well on the way. Hopefully I caught it before its done any damage to the IRD or rear diff. In my opinion the small charge of a recon VCU it's worth doing if not just too put your mind at rest.

I noticed a difference when the recon one was fitted.

Av_Dave said:

Just had my VCU replaced by bell I'm going to post a thread about it. As the service was top notch and they know there stuff about freelanders. Mine had done 74k and had matched tyres all it's life replaced In Sets of four. It wasnt completley gone but was well on the way. Hopefully I caught it before its done any damage to the IRD or rear diff. In my opinion the small charge of a recon VCU it's worth doing if not just too put your mind at rest.

I noticed a difference when the recon one was fitted.

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hiya, what made you change it, did you have any problems, or was it because of the 70000mls recomendation? would be intreasted to know, thanks, martyn

The only reason I changed was due to having a freelander before and knowing what can go wrong if your VCU starts to seize. I thought for £300 fitted with new bearings was pretty good value. Mine was starting to go tight in reverse on full lock but I suppose many wouldnt notice it. As I'm thinking of keeping it for a while I thought it best to get this problem sorted.

can anyone please tell me where the 70000mls vcu life expectancy came from?

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Urban myth.

Davidspect said:

Urban myth.

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experience?

experience?

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I had a UJ go at 105000 miles. Does that mean that everybodys will?

no it means that the range of failures fall into a normal Gaussian distribution curve with, apparently, 70K being the mean.

but you could just check it regulary then youd know when was right for your car

jamesmartin said:

but you could just check it regulary then youd know when was right for your car

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that sounds a better idea.