Freelander 1 Who would have believed it.

Bugsy · Apr 14, 2017

Having found some slight but odd tyre wear on the rear of my Freelander (outer wear on OS and inner wear on NS) I followed 'Hippo's' advice to check the VCU. Tippex test - OK, they moved. Bar with weight test - the wheel turned nicely with 5kg on a 1.2metre bar.
Next up is an alignment check booked for next week, but in the mean time I have just had four new tyres fitted Bridgestone Dueller Sport HP's.
What a difference on the road, smooth, quiet and positive.
I have always replaced just two tyres before, putting them on the back despite garages telling me it's not necessary. Fitting all four in one go has removed all differences in diameter and it really does make a difference.
I've still got the 'locked-diff' style snatching with full lock on our gravel drive but on the road it's sweet.
One question: The VCU remains pretty-well cold after a 25 kilometre run, is that a problem or not ?

GrumpyGel · Apr 14, 2017

Bugsy said:
Having found some slight but odd tyre wear on the rear of my Freelander (outer wear on OS and inner wear on NS) I followed 'Hippo's' advice to check the VCU. Tippex test - OK, they moved. Bar with weight test - the wheel turned nicely with 5kg on a 1.2metre bar.
Next up is an alignment check booked for next week, but in the mean time I have just had four new tyres fitted Bridgestone Dueller Sport HP's.
What a difference on the road, smooth, quiet and positive.
I have always replaced just two tyres before, putting them on the back despite garages telling me it's not necessary. Fitting all four in one go has removed all differences in diameter and it really does make a difference.
I've still got the 'locked-diff' style snatching with full lock on our gravel drive but on the road it's sweet.
One question: The VCU remains pretty-well cold after a 25 kilometre run, is that a problem or not ?

I'm sure @Hippo wouldn't have said to do the 'Tippex' test. What was the time for your bar with weight test?

Nodge68 · Apr 14, 2017

The Tippex test is worthless as a test. As GG said, Hippo wouldn't suggest that test himself.
The one wheel up test is the only test the owner should be doing.

Bugsy · Apr 15, 2017

My mistake - I did both as I said. I certainly don't accept that the tipped test is worthless, it's quick, easy and very quick to see if there is movement or not. I then followed it up with the bar test which is clearly more comprehensive.
Apologies to 'Hippo' for any confusion caused.
Correction:
I followed 'Hippo's' advice to check the VCU. Bar with weight test - the wheel turned nicely with 5kg on a 1.2metre bar. The time taken, averaged over five attempts, was 36 seconds.

Nodge68 · Apr 15, 2017

Bugsy said:
My mistake - I did both as I said. I certainly don't accept that the tipped test is worthless, it's quick, easy and very quick to see if there is movement or not. I then followed it up with the bar test which is clearly more comprehensive.
Apologies to 'Hippo' for any confusion caused.
Correction:
I followed 'Hippo's' advice to check the VCU. Bar with weight test - the wheel turned nicely with 5kg on a 1.2metre bar. The time taken, averaged over five attempts, was 36 seconds.

The Tippex test does tell you that the VCU shaft is rotating. However you would definitely know if it wasn't, just by driving it. The front and rear are geared differently. So no VCU rotation would result in tyre skip for about 2 miles, before the strain broken the IRD or diff. It's a myth that the VCU goes absolutely solid. If it did, the IRD would be toast in literally 5 minutes. They do go very very stiff when aged, but seize solid, no.

30 to 45 seconds on the one wheel up test is spot on. Do it annually to make sure the IRD has a decent life. When the test takes one minute, get the VCU reconditioned.

Freelander 1 Who would have believed it.

Bugsy

Active Member

GrumpyGel

Well-Known Member

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

Bugsy

Active Member

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

Similar threads