Replacing the vcu

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I don't really get why you'd want a 4x4 that's not? Surely that's the point of them. I know there's a lot around, but they aren't designed to be fwd so they're compromised! I may be in the minority cos I drive mine hard and abuse it off road. The road holding really isn't up to much compared to 4x4. If you want fwd I'd go for a hatchback or people carrier. I have no issue with taking the prop of as a temp measure to stop them self destructing, but doing it permanently is just daft to me! Plus it kicks em in the teeth for resale value!
 
emandem said:
you must have, taken me 12 hours in all :Cry::Cry::Cry: front prop would'nt split from vcu, soaked in wd40, then had to think outside the box to remove it;), finally all done, test drive tommorow:eek: see how it is:)
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I'm going to eastnor for my test drive:)
 
went to fit mine today, had same issue, front prop wont remove, but noticed the CV joint on it was goosed, so have ordered a new prop.
 
Uber-Smee said:
went to fit mine today, had same issue, front prop wont remove, but noticed the CV joint on it was goosed, so have ordered a new prop.
Click to expand...
hiya, is it a uj that's knackered, if so, save yourself some money, terrain vrhicles in hastings do a pair of uj's for £7.50, i got mine out by taking the bolt all the way out of the joint, then got a slightly shorter 10mm nut with a couple of washers that sit inside the yoke on the spline face, reason being it gives more clearence in between the top & bottom yoke, then smack the crap out of it, (spoke to bell enginering, he said smack it hard) as it moves, just add more washers & keep going 'till it's off, could save you a penny or few;):), martyn
 
no1birdman said:
no problem with it, mate owned it for 4 years with no problems driveing, wet, snow dry.
Click to expand...

I can't let this pass without comment. :confused:

A 2WD Freelander without the VCU and prop would only be suitable (for me) for driving to Tesco and back - in the dry - and slowly.

Diesel Do is right - terminal understeer in the wet. :mad:

There are those who have bought such a neutered machine and know no different, and are happy with it! That's fine by me - but that's not the truth of the matter.

A colleague of mine had one - I drove it in the damp and was shocked - I barely managed to get round a roundabout and then when I tried to accelerate away from the roundabout the wheels spun uselessly. He thought I was driving it too hard and Freelanders couldn't be driven the way I was obviously trying to do.

Then I took him for a run in mine - and he was shocked - he was scared we were going to leave the road! - he was convinced that I could not approach bends, go round them like on rails and accelerate hard in the wet - he was actually bracing himself for going straight on into the bushes at what I consider a mild bend.

Then he had a go - his comment was - it doesn't go round bends 'normally' - what have you done to it?

Some folks just do not understand - same with cheapy tyres.

If you compare a Freelander to a Mazda then of course you'll think the MX5 is a 'supercar' - but you also have to accept that your senses are assaulted by oversensitivity being so close to the road, and more so if its a convertible.

Nice car the Mazda - but it's not that much faster than a well sorted and road-tyred Freelander TD4 with a Synergy in the real world of twisty roads, and other traffic.

(I'm perhaps unusual in that I have a set of summer 'road' tyres and another set for winter and off-road)

Performance figures of course mean very little to me when comparing vehicles - it's mostly down to driver 'feel' and driving pleasure.

Not much of that on a trip to Tescos. :rolleyes:

Singvogel. :cool: Hoo-ah!
 
Tried mine in 2WD for a few weeks whilst waiting for recon VCU, wheel spin, rubbish road holding and fuel consumption about the same, why bother especially if you have to notify your insurer. Also increased front tyre wear due to wheel spin and front wheel drive.
 
Singvogel said:
I can't let this pass without comment. :confused:

A 2WD Freelander without the VCU and prop would only be suitable (for me) for driving to Tesco and back - in the dry - and slowly.

Diesel Do is right - terminal understeer in the wet. :mad:

There are those who have bought such a neutered machine and know no different, and are happy with it! That's fine by me - but that's not the truth of the matter.

A colleague of mine had one - I drove it in the damp and was shocked - I barely managed to get round a roundabout and then when I tried to accelerate away from the roundabout the wheels spun uselessly. He thought I was driving it too hard and Freelanders couldn't be driven the way I was obviously trying to do.

Then I took him for a run in mine - and he was shocked - he was scared we were going to leave the road! - he was convinced that I could not approach bends, go round them like on rails and accelerate hard in the wet - he was actually bracing himself for going straight on into the bushes at what I consider a mild bend.

Then he had a go - his comment was - it doesn't go round bends 'normally' - what have you done to it?

Some folks just do not understand - same with cheapy tyres.

If you compare a Freelander to a Mazda then of course you'll think the MX5 is a 'supercar' - but you also have to accept that your senses are assaulted by oversensitivity being so close to the road, and more so if its a convertible.

Nice car the Mazda - but it's not that much faster than a well sorted and road-tyred Freelander TD4 with a Synergy in the real world of twisty roads, and other traffic.

(I'm perhaps unusual in that I have a set of summer 'road' tyres and another set for winter and off-road)

Performance figures of course mean very little to me when comparing vehicles - it's mostly down to driver 'feel' and driving pleasure.

Not much of that on a trip to Tescos. :rolleyes:

Singvogel. :cool: Hoo-ah!
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more! Mine was of 24hrs whilst I picked up my new one, it was acceptable in the dry, as soon as it rained it was truly awful I'd not live with one personally I dont think it's safe enough. As for comments like fine in mud, snow, ice, rain or whatever! Clearly no idea! Let's not mention smaller wheels! I don't like people giving bad advice thru total lack of knowledge, a lot of people don't know much about cars so they look for advice on here. I personally think that removing your VCU is bad advice! Only do it if you have to to save your drivetrain. No other reason.

Back on topic! Just been to Eastnor Castle, did the intermediate off road course, the freebie walked it:) did all the water runs, watched discos get stuck then just drove through to show them up:) shows how well Bell Engineering VCUs work!
Like to see your 2wd one do that!?!?
 
Diesel Do said:
I couldn't agree more! Mine was of 24hrs whilst I picked up my new one, it was acceptable in the dry, as soon as it rained it was truly awful I'd not live with one personally I dont think it's safe enough. As for comments like fine in mud, snow, ice, rain or whatever! Clearly no idea! Let's not mention smaller wheels! I don't like people giving bad advice thru total lack of knowledge, a lot of people don't know much about cars so they look for advice on here. I personally think that removing your VCU is bad advice! Only do it if you have to to save your drivetrain. No other reason.

Back on topic! Just been to Eastnor Castle, did the intermediate off road course, the freebie walked it:) did all the water runs, watched discos get stuck then just drove through to show them up:) shows how well Bell Engineering VCUs work!
Like to see your 2wd one do that!?!?
Click to expand...
i must agree, been out in mine today, completley different vehicle with new vcu:), very impressed with bell enginerings product & service;)
 
emandem said:
i must agree, been out in mine today, completley different vehicle with new vcu:), very impressed with bell enginerings product & service;)
Click to expand...

You fixed it:D !!!!
Given mine a right pasting today, shows he knows his stuff;) it was pretty obvious driving it that my old one was pretty much seized. You can tell when it comes in now whereas before it just seemed to be locked off road!
 
Diesel Do said:
Back on topic! Just been to Eastnor Castle, did the intermediate off road course, the freebie walked it:) did all the water runs, watched discos get stuck then just drove through to show them up:) shows how well Bell Engineering VCUs work!
Like to see your 2wd one do that!?!?
Click to expand...

Eastnor Castle ......Mmmmmm.

Only one thing DD - where are the pics - you must have some ...... please?
 
Not many!
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1346011507.951072.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1346011571.801535.jpg
 
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