Vcu

I have recently brought a 200 1.8 petrol freelander and unfortunately the warranty has just ended.

Today I wad reversing while on full lock and head a loud banging noise. After reviewing a few threads I realised that it is either the ICD or VCU.

As I need to drive 200 miles tomorrow I did the quick fix of removing the prop shaft, which seems to have worked.

I still however want to fix it. How do I check the VCU while it is off the vehicle? I have tried moving it with no luck.

Also if it is the VCU, is it possible that I caught it in time and my ICD and rear diff are ok. How do I check these?

Thanks

Try searching for VCU. It'll turn up plenty of stories like yours and plenty of advice.

Yeah i have searched the internet but can't find any discription on how to test the VCU while it is off the car. The all show you how to do it while it is on the car.

I also couldn't find any test for the IRD? or rear diff??

Thats cos there isn't an official method, at least it was never published.
No reason why a prop can't be secured on to a rig and torqued at least several hundred Nm, big biceps essential.

Should not be too difficult to test off car as the torque required along the prop shaft is lower than that at the wheel because of the gear ratio of the final drive bevel gears effectively increases the torque needed at the wheel.
With VCU on ground resting on bearing housings rotate one prop shaft at the universal joint along ground through 90 degrees so that it is perpendicular to the drive line. Hold it with a foot. Lift other prop shaft and use as lever to rotate VCU. Haven't tried it but it looks feasible!

One of the problems with this type of VCU is that it doesnt fail in a go/no go manner. The VCU can either sieze or fail with no drive through. As it fails it progressively gets worse, so as well as determining that the VCU is not siezed or "free-wheeling" it would be necessary to check the torque required to turn one side relative to the other.
Does anyone know or is prepared to check a few "good ones" to get a representative figure?

Yeah i have tries clamping it still any levering it round but no luck. If someone could let me know whether you are able to move a working VCU that would be great.

I am getting the feeling its broke though

i fear yu are on a hiding to nothing. Unless someone can check what a good, working VCU can and should do, you will never be sure whether yours is any good or on its last legs.

Kombo 24 7 said:

Yeah i have tries clamping it still any levering it round but no luck. If someone could let me know whether you are able to move a working VCU that would be great.

I am getting the feeling its broke though

Click to expand...

Where abouts did you clamp it?

Back prop turns with the housing and damper, as shown below in the Willo method. Yellow line LHS rear prop with another on the VCU housing. The front is out of line and out of shot RHS.

I've often thought about this, havw an idea, but prop is on the car for MOT, might have a go in a few weeks, unless someone else can give a ball park figure.

I'd say torque of the devil!

...............

Northern Irelander said:

I'd say torque of the devil!

Click to expand...

uke:

............

Yeah i think i might have to put it back on the car to test it properly.

Also after the 200 mile journey today the car isn't sounding to great.

Its knocking when you accelerate and change gear. Is this the IRD?? anyway to pin point the problem for definate.

Cheers

Kombo 24 7 said:

Yeah i think i might have to put it back on the car to test it properly.

Also after the 200 mile journey today the car isn't sounding to great.

Its knocking when you accelerate and change gear. Is this the IRD?? anyway to pin point the problem for definate.

Cheers

Click to expand...

:welcome: to LZ

It's possible to turn a VCU (very slowly) on the car with a 18" prybar in one of the uj's so I don't see why it can't be done on the floor with a bar in each uj each side of the VCU. Let one bar rest on the floor to make it easier and turn with the other .

Hi
I tested mine the other day and with a big screwdriver in the uj behind the vcu I could turn it, it was very tight though I moved it abou 1/2 inch but as i say with quite a lot of force but I was inly using a big screwdriver ,If you was using a long bar I think it would move more easy