VCU is tight, should I disconnect the 4WD?

duncanpage4 · Nov 21, 2013

I've had the Freelander for 5 weeks now and since I bought it, it has felt tight when on full lock in reverse.
It feels like someone has put the brakes on when I engage the clutch.
I haven't got the money to purchase a reconditioned unit yet so I wanted to ask if you think I should disconnect it until I replace it or will it be ok to do short journeys for the next month?

Freelaner · Nov 21, 2013

it's normal to have a slight braking effect, any more than that though and it's cause for concern.

i'd say disconnect til you can get it sorted.

The Mad Hat Man · Nov 21, 2013

do the one wheel up test and, if confirms your gut feeling, remove vcu immediately.

duncanpage4 · Nov 21, 2013

The Mad Hat Man said:
do the one wheel up test and, if confirms your gut feeling, remove vcu immediately.

Not sure if I did the test correctly.

I fitted a long bar and tried to turn the rear wheel using the hub nut, but I couldn't turn it.
I lifted the front wheel and used the tyre to slowly turn the wheel backwards and it turned very slowly and with a lot of effort.

When in reverse on full lock it feels like heavy braking.

The Mad Hat Man · Nov 21, 2013

did yu follow the instructions?

GrumpyGel · Nov 21, 2013

I'd say that as a rule of thumb, unless there's 1,500 quid in your 'car kitty', remove the prop/VCU regardless of condition! I'm sure these things sieze up just for the fun of it. So that'd cost you about 750 to fix - but then if you didn't have another 750, you couldn't put it on - so rule of thumb, only run with prop/VCU when you have 1,500 in your kitty

I'm sure someone will give you a more definitive answer though!

Freelaner · Nov 21, 2013

£400 max to change vcu and bearings

£1500 to replace ird

no brainer really

musky81 · Nov 21, 2013

Mine started to feel tight but not to the extent of brakes being on, I was able to reverse the car on full lock without using throttle. I also did one wheel up test and proved the vcu wasnt completely seized. Based on this, I carried on using mine until I got vcu delivered and fitted, prob couple of weeks. Having said that id have been gutted if I had broke somethin in that time :doh:

Brack · Nov 21, 2013

GrumpyGel said:
I'd say that as a rule of thumb, unless there's 1,500 quid in your 'car kitty', remove the prop/VCU regardless of condition! I'm sure these things sieze up just for the fun of it. So that'd cost you about 750 to fix - but then if you didn't have another 750, you couldn't put it on - so rule of thumb, only run with prop/VCU when you have 1,500 in your kitty

I'm sure someone will give you a more definitive answer though!

Rubbish

The Mad Hat Man · Nov 21, 2013

GrumpyGel said:
I'd say that as a rule of thumb, unless there's 1,500 quid in your 'car kitty', remove the prop/VCU regardless of condition! I'm sure these things sieze up just for the fun of it. So that'd cost you about 750 to fix - but then if you didn't have another 750, you couldn't put it on - so rule of thumb, only run with prop/VCU when you have 1,500 in your kitty

I'm sure someone will give you a more definitive answer though!

:whoosh:

dont forget it might invalidate yo insurance if yu dont tell em.

duncanpage4 · Nov 21, 2013

The Mad Hat Man said:
did yu follow the instructions?

I didn't put the wooden bar on or the weights, I just had a long bar on the socket and I tried to push it down but it would only go so far.

Freelaner · Nov 21, 2013

vcu's don't seize btw

The Mad Hat Man · Nov 21, 2013

Freelaner said:
vcu's don't seize btw

if yu cant turn it, its just semantics.

Freelaner · Nov 21, 2013

The Mad Hat Man said:
if yu cant turn it, its just semantics.

not really. seized is seized.

it's a misnomer and the word stiffened should be used instead imho

The Mad Hat Man · Nov 21, 2013

Freelaner said:
not really. seized is seized.

it's a misnomer and the word stiffened should be used instead imho

Failed
Under
Continious
Test

more like

Freelaner · Nov 21, 2013

The Mad Hat Man said:
Failed
Under
Continious
Test

more like

sad

but true

musky81 · Nov 21, 2013

Freelaner said:
vcu's don't seize btw

Seen differing things on this and the word "seized" does come up a lot. I agree though, that by its construction you wouldnt expect them to seize short of a very cruel set of circumstances. Someone posted a pic of one recently that had clearly been mucked around with, who knows what was inside

The Mad Hat Man · Nov 21, 2013

musky81 said:
Seen differing things on this and the word "seized" does come up a lot. I agree though, that by its construction you wouldnt expect them to seize short of a very cruel set of circumstances. Someone posted a pic of one recently that had clearly been mucked around with, who knows what was inside

look in the CFAQ section - all is revealed.

Freelaner · Nov 21, 2013

musky81 said:
Seen differing things on this and the word "seized" does come up a lot. I agree though, that by its construction you wouldnt expect them to seize short of a very cruel set of circumstances. Someone posted a pic of one recently that had clearly been mucked around with, who knows what was inside

mine was refurbed with some "new and improved" viscous fluid, apparently.

the best thing for vcu health is to get it working every now and then by off roading to get it actually doing summat.

tarmac kills vcu's by keeping them inactive.

musky81 · Nov 21, 2013

You're right Freelaner......im patiently waiting for the promised snow!!

VCU is tight, should I disconnect the 4WD?

Should I disconnect the VCU until I replace it

Yes

No

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