vcu questions

today i did the vcu test, something is not rite, the rear wheels spins free and the prop spins up to where it meets the front part, the 17mm bolt was slack so i thightened it up and there was more resistance in the rear wheel but it still spins easily, also when i had a bar on the rear wheel i noticed the rear diff move up and down ? is it mounted on rubbers ?

I agree - as suggested in your earlier thread - "summat aint right!"

I'm not sure whether you mean only the rear prop is turning from the VCU back or do you mean that both props and the VCU are turning??

I suspect that:

1. You may have an 'empty' VCU, or
2. You could have a damaged IRD, or
3. You have a 2WD IRD which some folks fit as a 'cheapy fix' exchange unit, instead of a fully functioning re-conditioned IRD.

Yes, the rear diff has rubber mounts - 3 of them - you should not be able to make them move about much though. The centre one usually fails first.

Singvogel.

it spins from the vcu back, the bolt was slack, no idea how but when i tightened it there was more resistance on the rear wheel. is there any way to tell if its got a 2wd vcu, its a 1 owner vehicle altho now old. i

Crombie said:

it spins from the vcu back, the bolt was slack, no idea how but when i tightened it there was more resistance on the rear wheel. is there any way to tell if its got a 2wd vcu, its a 1 owner vehicle altho now old. i

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Sounds to me like ewe already know if it's a 2wd VCU . If it spins freely from the VCU back then it is fecked in the open position, simples.

Tome to get on the blower to Bell Engineeing .

Crombie said:

it spins from the vcu back, the bolt was slack, no idea how but when i tightened it there was more resistance on the rear wheel. is there any way to tell if its got a 2wd vcu, its a 1 owner vehicle altho now old. i

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I've no idea how to tell a 2WD IRD - but if the VCU will allow the rear prop to turn and the front prop to remain stationary the fault is in the VCU.

It may have seized up and someone has simply drilled a hole and drained out the old viscous liquid, which would allow the props to turn independantly

S.

looks like i need a new vcu. i sti.ll dont understand why the bolt was slack. im going to remove the whole lot over the weekend and check it out, im concidering changing this freelander for a 90

i was just on bell engineering website, £200 for a fully recon vcu, why are some on ebay £350+ whats the difference

the other are robbers do not go to freelander spares

I will go to bell as the seem to have a good rep and are cheapest so it's win win. Could anything else be damaged. I don't want to buy a new vcu to find something else is bust

Crombie said:

i was just on bell engineering website, £200 for a fully recon vcu, why are some on ebay £350+ whats the difference

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AFAIK the £350+ jobs are brand new parts.(they say)
Bell Eng. re-cons at £200 I would trust.
There are others I would not. (Plenty info on here regards untrustworthy VCU rif-off suppliers)

You may well need new mounts as they are difficult to remove from the VCU without damaging them.

LR OE (which are GKN with FAG bearings) are £80+ each.
The exact same GKN bearings from Foundry4X4 are £27 a pair - but check with F4X4.

Yer pays yer money and takes yer choice.

I'd get a VCU from Bell and mounts from Foundry4X4

S.

Yes my old mounts seem to have a bit of play. I guess it has done 93k. Hopefully after this I'll have a real 4x4

Before I go buying new bits. I'm still wondering why the bolt holding the shaft to the vcu was slack. Is it worth removing the lot. Checking and tightening and re fitting ?

Crombie said:

Before I go buying new bits. I'm still wondering why the bolt holding the shaft to the vcu was slack. Is it worth removing the lot. Checking and tightening and re fitting ?

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Well you have nothing to lose and wont cost anything apart from a couple of hours work - and make a little skin from your knuckles.

If the mount bearings are worn they'll make a racket even if your VCU can be resurrected.

S.

The do make a slight grumble but I'll hold of until I checked it

If the center bolt is loose and the VCU is'nt turning then it sounds like the splines on the prop/VCU are goosed to me!!

Nodge68 said:

If the center bolt is loose and the VCU is'nt turning then it sounds like the splines on the prop/VCU are goosed to me!!

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My prop, VCU and the drive off the IRD and mass damper (blanking plate fitted) live in he shed and for me i much prefer the way she drives as 2wd. Mind you I dont go off road. I have noticed on further driving that the newly fitted 235/55/17's have stiffened up the feel on the road for the better and even more rock solid on motorway. My VCU is an Ashcroft bought a couple of years back and works fine - when connected of course! Happy Freelandering.

you said 235 55 17 is that correct and ant clearance problems

geordielad said:

you said 235 55 17 is that correct and ant clearance problems

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Yes correct. Widest you can go with standard set up on advice from Singvogel. he knows his stuff!

DD3 said 235/55 17" and I can confirm / agree that there are no clearance problems at all.

I've been running that size for 3 years.

S.

I had a petrol model before in 2wd but now I have this diesel I want it 4x4 and try off roading. When I first saw the slack bolt I thought the splines were shot. The prop and vcu spins free but the front prop stays solid. When spinning the wheel the head of the bolt is spinning aswel