VCU Repair

austen · Mar 19, 2013

jonaf said:
Of course the only way to recondition a VCU is to disassemble it, clean it and fill it with the proper amount of correct fluid

However it is possible to drain some of the old silicone and replace it with thinner fluid. If the unit is left with the plugs removed, the fluid will seep out. This takes a very, very long time (weeks) but can be sped up by attaching a compressed air line to one of the holes.

A stiff VCU does not have any value anyway so I do not think there is any risk making experiments with it.

I do not expect Bell Engineering to share their business secrets but I assume the professional way of making a VCU less stiff involves thinner liquid?

We don't make them less stiff, we recondition them to the same spec as originals. Its easy to make them less stiff by removing a pair of plates, this still gives 4 wheel drive but far less.

As I said before, a properly goosed vcu's silicon fluid will have turned to jelly, you could leave it for 10 years and it wouldn't drain out.

The Mad Hat Man · Mar 20, 2013

BOOMER said:
I actually wonder whether there isn't a way to junk the VCU altogether and engineer a way to fit a simple electromagnetically activated dog clutch in its place.

It's commonly used in the agricultural sector as a robust way of engaging/disengaging drive so why not on a Freelander?

Has anyone tried this yet?

Yep - one of the Aussie (NZ) guys was making a system - Butchered from a Ford, i believe. Was a few years ago though. havent heard any feedback, so maybe it wasnt viable in the end.

austen said:
We don't make them less stiff, we recondition them to the same spec as originals. Its easy to make them less stiff by removing a pair of plates, this still gives 4 wheel drive but far less.

As I said before, a properly goosed vcu's silicon fluid will have turned to jelly, you could leave it for 10 years and it wouldn't drain out.

not if its gone "Mondo".. Not sure what causes that, but it is definately a failure mode.

austen · Mar 20, 2013

The Mad Hat Man said:
Yep - one of the Aussie (NZ) guys was making a system - Butchered from a Ford, i believe. Was a few years ago though. havent heard any feedback, so maybe it wasnt viable in the end.

not if its gone "Mondo".. Not sure what causes that, but it is definately a failure mode.

Only way for mondo is stripped spline (not really mondo), fluid leaked out or its been messed with.

The Mad Hat Man · Mar 20, 2013

I agree - not "Mondo" as we tend to use it, but no drive thru VCU.

jamesmartin · Mar 20, 2013

The Mad Hat Man said:
I agree - not "Mondo" as we tend to use it, but no drive thru VCU.

?

Freelaner · Mar 20, 2013

isn't "mondo" lack of drive to rear?

no matter what the cause

Grayo · Mar 20, 2013

Freelaner said:
isn't "mondo" lack of drive to rear?

no matter what the cause

I thought "mondo" was when you remove the VCU and props to just have front wheel drive ???

sijwhite · Mar 20, 2013

Grayo said:
I thought "mondo" was when you remove the VCU and props to just have front wheel drive ???

Surely it amounts to the same thing - FWD only

celt69 · Mar 20, 2013

austen said:
We don't make them less stiff, we recondition them to the same spec as originals. Its easy to make them less stiff by removing a pair of plates, this still gives 4 wheel drive but far less.

As I said before, a properly goosed vcu's silicon fluid will have turned to jelly, you could leave it for 10 years and it wouldn't drain out.

Austen when we do the vcu test what would you advice on the maximum time before we get in touch with you for a new one.

celt69

Grayo · Mar 20, 2013

sijwhite said:
Surely it amounts to the same thing - FWD only

With VCU and props removed = mondo mode = FWD only

With VCU and props in place = but no drive to rear wheels = Fecked VCU

I think lol :behindsofa:

jamesmartin · Mar 20, 2013

has anyone ever found one with no drive at all due to buggerd vc?

sijwhite · Mar 20, 2013

jamesmartin said:
has anyone ever found one with no drive at all due to buggerd vc?

Apparently they can fail 'open' or 'seized'

That's the impression I'm getting at least.

mick 1986 · Mar 20, 2013

sijwhite said:
Apparently they can fail 'open' or 'seized'

That's the impression I'm getting at least.

That's the impression a lot of people seem to have, but I can't figure out how the liquid turns to a "jelly" like substance and doesn't transmit drive, unless when it seizes it busts some of the "discs" inside and this stops energy transfer.

teddywood1 · Mar 20, 2013

try buying one from freelander spares and you will soon find out how they can fail open i did

mick 1986 · Mar 20, 2013

teddywood1 said:
try buying one from freelander spares and you will soon find out how they can fail open i did

That's probably from them ####ing about with the insides, not actually from everyday use.

Grayo · Mar 20, 2013

I don't understand open or seized. can anybody explaine.

Freelaner · Mar 20, 2013

They don't seize

Grayo · Mar 20, 2013

Freelaner said:
They don't seize

If they don't seize how do they fail ???

Freelaner · Mar 20, 2013

They stiffen up transmitting drive when it isn't needed

Grayo · Mar 20, 2013

Freelaner said:
They stiffen up transmitting drive when it isn't needed

Ah right.

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