Freelander 1 VCU very stiff. Will it damage anything to use it for a day off-road &/or will I get stuck?

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Bife

Bife

Active Member
Posts
182
Location
Lisbon Portugal
Hi,
My VCU is so stiff that the wheel-off-ground test pretty much never completes
So, I understand that driving it every day on the road will not do the car any good, but ..
What are the consequences of me just using it like that to go off road down a sandy track for a day?
Both in terms of damage to car and ability not to get stuck
I'm no off-roader, its just a nice drive to get to a secluded spot.
Just an idea I had - might be easier and definitely cheaper than getting a new VCU
I am now a dab hand at prop removal and replacement :D
 
If the VCU is stiff, then there will be axle wind-up. If the tyres can slip (like on a loose surface), then there's no problem.
However getting to the loose surface means highway driving where there's no slip, which is bad.
 
Nodge68 said:
If the VCU is stiff, then there will be axle wind-up. If the tyres can slip (like on a loose surface), then there's no problem.
However getting to the loose surface means highway driving where there's no slip, which is bad.
Click to expand...
Its 2 miles to the start of the track so I think I will do it. Wont be regular thing
 
I recon you are asking for trouble. If its a 'track' that means there will be areas of loose and firm ground, likely quite twisty, plus you have 4 miles of driving.

If the VCU is that stiff, then its been driven like that up to now and will have damaged the transmission and weakened it. It could go at any time.

I'd imagine you should get a recon VCU and probably need to replace the bearings in the IRD pinion before you use the car much... or remove the props till the work is done.

Don't go if you are alone. If you are with people, then treat the day as an exercise in how far a 2WD Freelander can go and remove the props. Make sure you take recovery kit that your mates are willing to use.
 
Cheers @GrumpyGel
I have actually done that track in a 1971 veedub camper with a vw-porsche engine i put in. I made it there and back although it was pedal to the metal or die a lot of the time !
The prop is only on for inspections once a year.
I just thought I could pop it on for a day to try it.
I was planning to ask my mate with a series 2 to drive along with me as I did that vw trip 20 years ago when I was far more reckless and it might well be worse now
sounds like it might be better to forget it tho
 
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If the track is not in to much worse condition, then your 2WD Freelander with traction control should get you through it easily.

However, after 20 years, its likely in completely different condition now.

I've been out with the local LR group to see how far I could get with my 2WD Freelander. It was great fun and of course there's plenty of blokes, and burds, on a LR outing that want to get out the recovery gear - its all part of the fun :) We were seeing how far we could get up one of the big braided river beds here. I ditched the Freelander when it got to hairy and jumped in with someone else, picked it back up on our way back. I only needed recovering twice :)
 
Bife said:
Cheers @GrumpyGel
I have actually done that track in a 1971 veedub camper with a vw-porsche engine i put in. I made it there and back although it was pedal to the metal or die a lot of the time !
The prop is only on for inspections once a year.
I just thought I could pop it on for a day to try it.
I was planning to ask my mate with a series 2 to drive along with me as I did that vw trip 20 years ago when I was far more reckless and it might well be worse now
sounds like it might be better to forget it tho
Click to expand...
If you don't normally have the vcu on then why not have a go at sorting it yourself. There are several threads where folk including me have done it.
 
Alibro said:
why not have a go at sorting it yourself.
Click to expand...
1. Laziness
2. Lack of money
3. Being Portugal lack of access to materials, especially the silicon fluid in VCU
1686253878944.png
 
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1. I can understand and agree with completely but 2 and three not so much.
If you wanted I could order the fluid and post it to you, the rest is just a week or so of intermittent graft and access to a drill and tap.
 
I've actually got a quantity of VCU fluid which I picked up for doing mine. However I don't have the vehicle any more, so it's sat on a shelf taking up space.
 
Bife said:
Thanks both
I'm actually in uk near Colchester at the mo.
How much fluid do I need and how much for me to take that off of your hands @Nodge68 ?
Click to expand...
Form memory, it's not much, a couple of hundred ml maybe?
I'm wanting rid of it, so postage cost only.
I've no idea what grade it is, or how long it's been on my shelf, but you're welcome to play with it.
 
Nodge68 said:
Form memory, it's not much, a couple of hundred ml maybe?
I'm wanting rid of it, so postage cost only.
I've no idea what grade it is, or how long it's been on my shelf, but you're welcome to play with it.
Click to expand...
GGreat! Thanks. Will send message with address etc
 
Nodge68 said:
Form memory, it's not much, a couple of hundred ml maybe?
I'm wanting rid of it, so postage cost only.
I've no idea what grade it is, or how long it's been on my shelf, but you're welcome to play with it.
Click to expand...
There used to be an ebay seller but I don't see it now. From recollection it was between 30k and 100k CST depending on how tight you want it. I think you only need 100ml or so but don't quote me on that.
There is CST fluid for sale as Diff fluid but I don't know if it is the same stuff.
 
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