Reversing on full lock...

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Russell Jupp

Russell Jupp

New Member
Posts
242
Location
Devon
Hi all,
just had the prop re-fitted to my 2000 FL.
Had a re-con vcu last winter, used it for 2 months, and been mondo till now.
However it is really quite tight when reversing on full lock, (less tight when going forward), and on gravel etc, the rear wheels appear to try and skip.
It was the same BEFORE the new VCU was fitted.
Bit worried that its too tight and that the IRD is going to explode.
Was wondering what other peeps think about this.
Thanks,
Russ
 
well this sounds similar to what happened to me,i had a spare vcu off a car i new was fine,i left it in my shed for about a year,i needed new prop bearings for my daily use td4,so fitted new bearing to the one in shed to save time,fitted to prop and then fitted to vehicle,same thing happened was skipping in reverse full lock,not so bad forward but obviously not right,so fitted bearings to original vcu and everything fine,could be vcu has went off with sitting or the cold could be wrong but that my story,hope it helps,certainly its not right
 
Try the tippex test as suggested above, 2 blobs of paint/tape etc either side of vcu and take it for a drive. Check if still in alignment afterwards. If so, then vcu is seized. Try driving again to check it wasn't unluckily in alignment after driving. If still in alignment again, then remove the props and vcu. Easier to remove all in one go.

8e4Dw2n.jpg

vcutest 8e4Dw2n

Or try this test. Lift one rear wheel. Remove the wheel cap. 32mm socket + bar and a weight on it. With the other 3 wheels on't ground, it should do as per the video if it's not seized. If it is seized, then remove props and vcu as above.

 
Last edited:
erm erm not sure. Too stiff could be seized to the next person. Only one's I've know to fail had gone as far as being locked somehow. If anyone has a vcu thats failed, send it to me and I'll cut it open and see.
 
Hi Russell, i did reply to your email last week, i was waiting for a reply.

The silicon fluid does not go off over time, we have barrels of it sitting here that is exactly the same as the day it was manufactured. It goes off through heat cycles and extreme high temperatures. Maybe if it was stored at -20c for a long time, maybe it would go off, but can't answer this as never tried it.

But we do notice in the extreme cold weather the vicousity definitely thickens, so i would expect the the vcu to feel more resistance at the moment.

And the tipex test will not prove anything.
 
Well, with the recent bad weather, and exceptional snow fall here in rural Devon, I have again been faintly smug, as I trundle around where others fear to go! My little FL has been brilliant, and even pulled a Discovery out of a ditch....honest!!
Now that the weather is better, i will investigate the VCU, and do the heat test.
It is definately very tight, as it caused the TC to operate when reversing on full lock.
Austen, will let you know the results asap.
Thanks everyone, for your input.
Russ
 
I think from now on all FL drivers should have camera's with them. To take snap shots of heroic events.
 
Well, oddly enough i have a dash mounted, tiny vid-cam which i use in extremely bad weather (just in case a Tratter driver crashes into me). It just so happens that it was recording when i pulled out the Disco.
Just need to edit out the crap, and I'll upload it to Youtube.
Will try and post a still on here if i can...
Happy days!!
Russ
 
Just for a laugh....
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCDKrLrOmXE"]YouTube - Disco Rescue[/nomedia]

Happy Days!!
Russ
 
Happy New Year! Followed this thread with interest, almost to the point of paranoia :dizzy:, buta as a newbie to the world of 4x4 & freelanders (Y reg 2001 TD4 89k) is this ultimatley a test to see if
  1. The VCU is operating
  2. The 4x4 is working (either all the time, not at all or when it should be?)
  3. Confused.com
Anyway heres to a year of 4x4 fun and stuff :blabla::):cheer2:
 
SprocketTD4 said:
Happy New Year! Followed this thread with interest, almost to the point of paranoia :dizzy:, buta as a newbie to the world of 4x4 & freelanders (Y reg 2001 TD4 89k) is this ultimatley a test to see if
  1. The VCU is operating
  2. The 4x4 is working (either all the time, not at all or when it should be?)
  3. Confused.com
Anyway heres to a year of 4x4 fun and stuff :blabla::):cheer2:
Click to expand...
Have a go at the test in the video. If you follow it correctly, and the lever doesn't turn, then there's no slipping in the vcu. This would make us think it's effectly seized. If so, then remove it quickly.

If the lever drops to the floor like a tratter driven off the 9th floor, then we would think the vcu is open circuit. could be vcu and/or props missing also. Hence no 4x4 available as there's no drive to the rear wheels, when needed.

If the lever turns, then this is a good sign. There's a thread at the top of the Freelander forum. We've all been putting our figures in there, so we can judge the time taken for the lever to turn. Putting this against the mileage of the vcu, will allow us to look towards a rule of thumb, on vcu slippage, from the figures we have. Either way, if you have a problem, then just ask.

The more people who do this test, and post up results, the betterer.
 
Did the heat test today, and the vcu was stone cold.
Dont have the necessary sockets / lever to do the weight test, so will leave that to my local garage later this week.
Cheers for all your comments.
Russ
 
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