Normal or not?

Hi Folks,

I've noticed an odd noise from the middle/rear of the car when turning hard right. The only way I can describe this noise is 'br br br br br br br'. I've had the VCU replaced only a month or so ago. Strangely, I can go round and round on full lock on a loose surface with no noise at all, but on tarmac it does it.

Any Ideas? Is this actually the sound of the VCU 'working' ?

Best Wishes,
Paul

WilkoUK said:

Hi Folks,

I've noticed an odd noise from the middle/rear of the car when turning hard right. The only way I can describe this noise is 'br br br br br br br'. I've had the VCU replaced only a month or so ago. Strangely, I can go round and round on full lock on a loose surface with no noise at all, but on tarmac it does it.

Any Ideas? Is this actually the sound of the VCU 'working' ?

Best Wishes,
Paul

Click to expand...

The vcu is silent in operation. The noise could be the prop UJs or a bearing on the vcu. Where did the vcu come from, there are some cowboys selling duff units.

hope it was not from freelander spares

I had Bell Engineering do the VCU and the bearings

Hi, I have the exact same problem. Bell did my VCU and bearings so all should be well. I put the vehicle on axle stands and noticed that the nose of the diff is forced up in the air when I turn either rear wheel by hand. I changed the front diff mount for a poly one and the noise is less but still there. I have concluded that it is the diff bearing(s) and think next stage is to strip and replace. I can't find details on the settings etc. for reassembly (shims, preload etc) so may get a recon. But it is a lot of money if it is NOT the diff!!! May strap a microphone underneath in different places and have a listen through headphones whilst driving / turning. Please keep us up to date with anything you find out and I'll do same ! Cheers.

Mountings for propshaft bearings get worn mine is doing the same at low speed right hand but not left hand turns. My garage guy says it is the propshaft bearing mounting rubbers.

O.K - but both of us have new prop bearings - I am going to crack this - anyone else got this issue and solved it??

Ahh Haa nice not to be alone!
When I was at Bell, I had Austen also change one of the diff mounts as it had split, I wonder if the other one has gone as a result? Its only slow speed. It zips along in normal driving only at junctions is it noticeable. Anyway, it seems to have got louder and more judder today, so I'm taking it down to my local shop on Monday, see what happens.

I'll keep you all in the loop.

Thanks

Hi Paul,
Update. Put my TD4 on a lift with all wheels free and ran it up to about 70mph. Not a sound from diff, but the rear mounts allow a lot of movement on the overrun so will change those. Also, has your car got a tow-bar? Sounds odd, but when decelerating my silencer touches the towbar and so am going to sort that too. Failing that the garage thought that the brrrrr noise on tight turn was not untypical and felt that it was nothing major on its way out. So not now buying a recon diff, will sort mounts and exhaust and get back to you. Did you have any luck today?? Regards, Andrew

Hi Andrew,
I had to move my visit to the garage to tomorrow (being a div and forgot I had to do other things today). However, interesting what you say. I think its more of a 'flutter' rather than a banging sound and can manifest itself when accelerating hard in a straight line too - so I'm beginning to think its more of a 'mount' issue rather than anything 'hard and mechanical'. Sometimes it does it, sometimes it doesn't. I'm going to point the boys at the garage in the direction of the diff mounts first, see what they say. Keep you posted.

have you checked your tyres?:car:

They're all about a month old - all new on all corners.

Had a chat with Ken at Bell Engineering last night, he suggested a quick check on the VCU to see if it was cold-warm after a 10 mile trip - result, stone cold. So I guess we can rule that out. Other suggestion from Ken was a worn/dry CV joint. Anyhow, its off down to the garage this morning, see what they make of it all.

Yu do realise that a VCU works at about 100C, so a cold one means it is likely to be broken?

Either seized or O/C .

Check it immediately!

The Mad Hat Man said:

Yu do realise that a VCU works at about 100C, so a cold one means it is likely to be broken?

Either seized or O/C .

Check it immediately!

Click to expand...

Yeah, that thought did cross my mind. So I did mention to the chaps at the garage that might be the case. They're going to drop the prop and see if it makes any difference.

Mite be worth them doing the wheel up test, to check first.

Hmm The chaps at the garage think its the IRD on its way out.. I'm sure there is a entry on the forum as to what this should feel like - anyone have any experience of what one of these does when its on the way out?

mine broke the offside driveshaft

then started grinding really badly



they'll commit hari-kiri in various different ways

VCU blows IRDs. check rear subframe mounts at the same time. or cracked chassis.

Any update?? I understood VCU sat cold when all wheels turning at same speed. when one slips and prop speed increases the shear across the VCU heats the fluid which then transfers power. So 100 degrees is possible when wheel slip occurs but only for short time - am I wrong?? Is Austen around?? Cheers, Andrew