viscous coupling operation

Hi just a couple of questions on behalf of my brother! He has just bought a 98 l series freelander Cummings t/diesel.
Has a knocking noise from the front , sounds like a metal knock when going over small bumps even on road, prob suspension bush but ideas welcome.
Other problem is that he has no owners manual and does not have much of an idea on the operation of the 4wd and the operation of the viscous coupling, the light is on but how does he know it is working (eg does it only engage when actually needed)
Abit of guidence would be really well received thanks Steve

MHM!
I fink this chap needs edjurmicatin about Gaylanders an I aint got time ter tell im.

Please be so kind as to look at the top of this page, where yu will find a link marked "search" - If yu press this link and fill in the box with the word "VCU" yu might find that this topic has beem covered lots of times before.

What light? No light on mine. It works when it's needed or when it's seized.
The latter tends to destroy other bits of the drive chain so check the threads as MHM says.

I hope its not your engine warning light your looking at!

Theknock you can hear might be from one of the rubber mounted bearings that the VCU hangs in. These can wear with age but its more like a dull thump than a metal-to-metal noise.

It'd be a good idea to get under the car and check for things like broken exhaust mounts and stuff that might be causing it.

stevetd5 said:

sounds like a metal knock when going over small bumps even on road, prob suspension bush but ideas welcome.

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Good bet its the front Anti-Roll bar links or Anti roll bar bushes (my moneys on links) both cheap and easy to fix.

Does the light you mention look amber and a bit like = (TC) ?

As for the VCU test it using Ashcroft transmissions method :

1) Jack up one rear wheel
2) put a 18" bar through the rear prop UJ and try to turn it.
3) it should turn slowly with resistance
note even a good one will be quite tight. A seized one will feel like the handbrake is dragging when reversing slowly on full lock.

Methos

and wots rong wiv the "Willo" method?

The Mad Hat Man said:

and wots rong wiv the "Willo" method?

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nowt what so ever, but it saves ya having to take yer hippo for a spin in some (wet) grass etc, especailly if ya'v just got it all nice n shinny and the golfers don't throw balls at ya quite so much!!

Methos

front wishbone bush thats bloody noisey when it goes. About 5 quid I think