I have read with intrest the threads on the VCU ,however what I may have missed is the question (do they tend to pack up if the car is used solely on the road as they tend to seize ?
is it a good idea to go off road now and then to give it a work out ,or dos't it make much difference?

makes no difference, they just pack up

im pretty sure the vcu is working most of the time to some degree, as its is taking up the differance in speeds of the front and rear wheels ,
my understanding is that the early pre 2001 models , had a problem with the diff ratios, and the vcu was working too hard, causing failure,

one thought i had was to help the vcu, when tyres need changing i change them all together(maybe a bit cautious )

edge said:

I have read with interest the threads on the VCU ,however what I may have missed is the question (do they tend to pack up if the car is used solely on the road as they tend to seize ?
is it a good idea to go off road now and then to give it a work out ,or don't it make much difference?

Click to expand...

Good question edge. . . .er no it don't make any difference, as the vcu is actually a torque converter un as such when it starts spinning will give a soft pick up to yer rear wheels [forward or reverse] if it packs up it can 1. . . .not work at all [mondo mode] this will make it two wheel drive only ,and have no adverse effect on drives 2. . . . locked up [fooked] this is the dodgy one as it can cause untold damage to yer drive chain , so how can yer tell ming ? well the number [2] is easy you will feel the difference right away scuffing on pull off and slowing down faster, the number [1] is different most will not even know they are mondo mode , we at lz recommend the willo test , wots the willo test ming ? the willo test was invented by uncle willo whom is a mad professor type er Belgium guy that sometime comes on here , anyhows if you mark some tipex[it must be tipex as willo says so] between yer drives of your vcu , take it for a test drive and check the lines ,and they should have moved, hence a rough guide to the vcu working , if they are still in line then vcu is fooked ,please not ,if its mondo mode this will not detect that. . . . . .reet got to go un fix ma rockit

thanks if it ever stops raining ""I will get out and get under" as the song go's
and have a shuffti

Just out of interest if your vcu or ird go, would they make any noises whilst driving ? ie like metal on metal noise ?

Thanx

The VCU itself doesn't make a noise when it fails.
These are the noises I've experienced:-
A rumbling roaring sound whilst moving -- Carrier bearings either side of VCU
A banging sound over speed bumps and when puting on the power -- Diff bushes.
A "Darling, I've stopped the car up the lane can you come and have a listen to it sound" -- IRD
A sickening, spine chilling, wallet quivering metalic crunching grating sound -- IRD
A "Put your feet up and have a drink" sound -- You're fixing the VCU and IRD.
A sobbing sound -- you've just ordered the parts.