vcu condition with pics

hello All
just bought the freelander a few days ago.
i am planning on towing caravan and want to keep the prop on and in good working order.
already booked it in to have the rear diff bearings replaced and was considering also to replace the vcu as advised on this forum.
please see pics, what do you think? it does not look that old to me, could or should i just change the vcu bearings? or is it advisable to change vcu?

It really doesn't matter what it looks like - you can't tell what its like inside unless you test it...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

There's 3 tests on that link - you've done the first! You should do the 2nd and the 3rd will tell you if the VCU is OK.

Yep a bit like saying do you like my front room decoration, stood in the hallway with room door shut.

ok thanks will do the wheel up test today and see how i get on.
bearings are rumbling from the rear so will definitely change those anyway for peace of mind.

Are you sure the rear diff bearings need changing? It's not a usual problem with used Freelanders.

I'd suspect the prop support bearings, given they're covered in spray grease.

guineafowl21 said:

Are you sure the rear diff bearings need changing? It's not a usual problem with used Freelanders.

I'd suspect the prop support bearings, given they're covered in spray grease.

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This.^^^^^

Do the OWUT. If the VCU times under 45 seconds, then change the VCU bearings. The white grease on those bearings is a vain attempt to quieten them. It won't work, so change them, if if the VCU is OK. If it's time approaches 1 minute, replace the whole assembly. On use genuine support bearings on a quality refurbish or new VCU. It won't be the rear diff bearings, although the diff's front mount could be worn out.

If I were you, and depending on the OWUT, I would cancel the booking to change the diff bearings and just get a recon/exchange VCU and bearings from Bell Engineering. £265, you can fit it yourself, and then sleep at night as it'll probably outlast the car.

Had an e mail this week
https://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/land-rover...f0fb85e2f&utm_source=Email marketing software
If it helps

raywin said:

Had an e mail this week
https://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/land-rover-freelander-1-centre-propshaft-bearing-x2-toq000040-td4-1-8i/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=May Day Mayhem&utm_content=May Day Mayhem+CID_c1cdc4b5cc0e0296ed7194df0fb85e2f&utm_source=Email marketing software
If it helps

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I would certainly NOT fit those bearings! I've fitted or seen fitted four or five sets of el cheapo Britpart/Allmakes/Bearmach bearings to the various Freelanders around here, and all have failed within a year. One that I fitted actually broke up and allowed the prop to dance around inside the mount, making a merry noise and scaring the holy sh!t out of the wife.

She dumped it in a nearby M&S car park, phoned me with instructions to sort it, and took the bus to work.

Oh well, guess not then.

I agree with what has been said above. I would test the VCU first and make decisions after that. It is highly likely that the VCU should be changed as most Freelanders are run until the VCU gets so bad it trashes the IRD. Hopefully yours is well before that stage, but likely still the VCU is in a state where it should be changed. If you do replace the VCU, replace it with new support bearings which will hopefully already be mounted on the new/recon VCU. As said, you can replace a VCU with bearings at home quite easily. If you then still have a problem with the diff, get the garage to to their business with it.

If the VCU is good and you just want to replace the bearings - that is actually a more tricky job as you have to get the old bearings off of the VCU - still doable at home, but if you don't have a good bearing puller you have to get very aggressive with a hammer and chisel.

I wouldn't go so far as to say there is nothing wrong with your diff as they can fail - its just they're a pretty tough unit and not a high frequency fault. A bad VCU can definitely take one out - as well as or instead of the IRD. The diff has 3 mounts, the 2 at the back are usually sound, but as said, the 1 at the front, if its original (or a cheap replacement), will probably be destroyed by now.

raywin said:

Oh well, guess not then.

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Sorry Raywin! I wasn't getting at you, but in my experience those bearings are terrible.

Because of the above, @GrumpyGel, I've got quite good at removing and replacing bearings on a VCU:

1. Dip a Stanley blade in oil and use it to cut around the rubber membrane that holds the bearing in the mount.
2. You can now fit a standard two or three-leg puller on. Don't screw the centre bolt into the threads at the end of the VCU shaft - you'll bugger them. Fit the bolt that goes there and push against that. I actually (sadly) have a spare bolt that's drilled in the centre to accept the puller stub.

3. If no joy (or no puller), slit the bearing with a grinder and knock it apart with a hammer and chisel (watch eyes!)
4. Groove the remaining inner race and thump with a chisel to crack it.

Support the VCU shafts so your percussive abuse isn't taken by the VCU itself. The old mounts are excellent for screwing to the wall for storing fishing rods. Because of the crapness of non-GKN VCU bearings, I have quite a few 'fishing rod racks'.

No problem i understand about bearings, I changed a few in my time, I have used bearmach parts and found them to be a bit better than most of the cheap suppliers, but I suppose sitting under the car like that tests them

ok did the wheel up test.
it took approx 1 minute a couple of times i tested it.
so i presume its on its way out. from what i have read above (thanks by the way) i should buy a recon vcu and bearings 1st before doing diff bearings.
the only reason i thought diff was that it sounds like noise is from rear.

i am no mechanic and do not like really messing on cars (alot) if the vcu and bearings make it ok i am fine with that.
am i right in thinking that the ird may be ok if the prop is still on? does it seize when knackered and prop must be removed?

this probably does not help, the tyres do not match on the front to the back ones. the rear are maxis the two front are different

hocky said:

ok did the wheel up test.
it took approx 1 minute a couple of times i tested it.
so i presume its on its way out. from what i have read above (thanks by the way) i should buy a recon vcu and bearings 1st before doing diff bearings.
the only reason i thought diff was that it sounds like noise is from rear.

i am no mechanic and do not like really messing on cars (alot) if the vcu and bearings make it ok i am fine with that.
am i right in thinking that the ird may be ok if the prop is still on? does it seize when knackered and prop must be removed?

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I would guess the rumbling you hear is the front prop bearing. Get the VCU and bearings exchanged with Bell, fit it, then see if the noise is still there.

Sadly, your story about VCU/tyres is all too common. Bridgestone Duellers are pretty good - put some new ones on the back and move the exisiting Duellers to the front, assuming they have plenty of tread and are even. Set all tyre pressures to 30 psi and check weekly.

You could also pull the props and VCU off as a unit now and carry on your merry way. You can then immediately exchange the old VCU with the exchange one from Bell when it arrives. That's what I did. The tyre differences won't matter so much in 2wd mode. The more you drive it as it is, the more damage you're doing to the diff and IRD.

maxis x2 rear
1 bridgestone dueller front
1 venturer front

hocky said:

maxis x2 rear
1 bridgestone dueller front
1 venturer front

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Oh. In that case, as long as the Maxxis tyres are even, put them on the front and get two new rear ones. I've never used them so can't be sure if they're any good.

Or... Do what everyone up here does and pull the props/VCU off, go 2wd, get a summer's worth of use out of the exisiting tyres before putting on a decent full set of Pirelli Scorpion STRs and sorting the VCU for the winter.

i bought the freelander with the hopes i can keep it 4x4 thats why i searched for one with props still attached.
if its a worn vcu i am happy to change it if it means i can keep the props on.
the vcu still does move and is not seized so will replace it.
dont fancy spending another £600-£700 on a recon ird though.