The fact that you put the old VCU and worn bearings back on and had the same (relative trouble free) ride as before clearly indicates that the new VCU (and/or support bearings) is faulty. I have just been through this and I was worried about damaging the UJs when trying to get the front prop...

Mines the same and I suspect the bulbs have been taken out to hide a problem. Not in any great hurry to fix - just on my 'to do' list now I've done the diff mount and VCU. Other nigggles are appearing but usual stuff that is well reported /sorted on here. The TDC etc problems/fixes are well...

Thanks. I will tape it up. So it is the hose to the intercooler? Is it is a fiddle to replace?

Thanks OK so no high pressure or super heated substances going through there then ...?

What is the large diameter rubber hose coming off the centre top front of the engine (L Series) and going towards the front of the car? Is it an intercooler hose? Mine has a split near the jubliee clip holding it on the flange above the engine . Car runs fine but obvioulsy a split hose is...

There are others more qualified than me - a newbie - to tell you that . Re the VCU mine just felt wrong as though it was being held back when turning the steering wheel at full lock (put my foot on the clutch at full lock and it seemed to lock up). I had some vibrations too but this was...

I dont think you can unless you connect it up? Obvioulsy you will know whether it is working in two wheel drive but it could be the rear drive part of it is knackered. Having read alot on this forum over the past month and got my hands very oily seeing how it all works together I would not go...

No mines not for sale either but I love my XEDI hippo bought a few weeks agao . Got the VCU done first as it felt a bit tight and was worried about the rest of the transmission. Now perfect - even relatively nippy compared to my old gen 1 Jeep Cherokee (renault engine). I will give it a good...

Thanks Colin - really great for you to share your woes and successes at the fix. I need to go down this route at some stage in the future and your advice and observations will save me a lot of time. I have just got one project out of the way and will be moving on to this in the next month or...

I got a recon VCU with new bearings from Bell for 255 pounds including postage to France less than a month ago. Maybe demand is rising and prices are going up? I fitted it all at the weekend (together with a new front diff mount) and it has made a huge difference. Car is like new.

Well I finally completed the job today after a wet weekend. All went according to plan and I have just been for a test drive and it is like a new car. It feels much freer somehow, especially when parking and before I had some vibarations around the 100kph mark which have completely disappeared...

The timing belt and fitting etc seems to be very good value - I havent done it on mine but it still seems cheap compared with what I have had done with other cars. In terms of diagnostics I just saw this on ebay...

Yep I am afraid the only way to really check is to strip it down. I had a belt go on another car and fitted a new one - to my surprise it ran OK but then failed the MOT on emissions - something after all was bent.

Which engine?

OK great - thanks. When it stops raining I will get back to it.

Well after some self doubt I finally started on my project today. Change front diff mount and VCU. I was bit appreneive at first but once I got into it I was more confident and the studies I have done via this forum and Haynes stood me in good stead. Thanks Hippo for the diff mount pictures...

I just got my VCU and bearings from Bell sent to me here in France yesterday. It will be a project the weekend after next - along with the front diff mount. I know what you mean about the tightness on the cornering and am looking forward to something a bit easier. Having said that, I love...

Well I have now got my recon VCU and support bearings on order from Bells so that is sort of of 'fixed' (just need to put it all together) so today I had a look at what else needs doing. I knew on buyng this fun challenge that the ABS light wasnt working and just checked today what other...

Thanks I enjoyed that. They may have been a bit below par with build quality but the concept was a good one. Someone (maybe you) on here said that once the poor quality stuff over the years has been replaced we are left with a decent, good looking 4x4.

Thanks for the tips. Will hunt around ebay as well. Going to see some secondhand ramps on Tuesday - supposedly pro spec but we will see.