Freelander 1 Prop Removal

Hi all, I don't suspect my VCU is failing, but, my TD4 has done 116k and to my knowledge the VCU has never been replaced. I was going to remove one of the props to eliminate VCU issues during the summer & maybe put it back on for the winter months. Can I just remove a prop or do I need to remove the whole drive train including VCU & support bearings??

you could just remove the prop, but its far easier to take the whole assembly including vcu/bearings out as well - you don't have to mess around trying to get the prop off the vcu splines that way...

Do I need to do anything else to blank off or make secure, or just unbolt the rear from the diff and the front cv joint off the IRD flange?

i just removed the rear prop, took about 20 mins, couldn't get the front prop to separate from the IRD flange so left it and the vcu still connected

nope, just unbolt and leave the flanges both ends free to rotate...
if its going to be off for a while, i would be temped to put a very light coating of grease on them both to stop corrosion.

OK I'll have a look and decide which way to go. Dustmaker, do think there's any issue with leaving the VCU on? was yours seized, or have you just taken the prop of as a precaution?. I think mines OK, but I just don't want to chance it failing but would like to get the 4x4 working again in the winter to get to my daughters pony in the Derbyshire sticks!

Revbot said:

OK I'll have a look and decide which way to go. Dustmaker, do think there's any issue with leaving the VCU on? was yours seized, or have you just taken the prop of as a precaution?. I think mines OK, but I just don't want to chance it failing but would like to get the 4x4 working again in the winter to get to my daughters pony in the Derbyshire sticks!

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My VCU is naffed so needs replacing, its was at the end of a long list, have just got the 4 tyres done so just the vcu left to do now,
There is no issue with leaving the vcu in place but i would imagine removing the whole prop shaft assemble would mean less wear and tear on the vcu support bearings.
I originally intended to remove all off mine but no matter what i tried i just couldn't get the front prop to separate from the ird.

there is no problem leaving the VCU & bearings on, its just a bit of a fiddle to get the propshaft off the VCU splines whilst its still on the car as you need to drive a wedge between the UJ arms to lever the bolt free.

dustmaker said:

My VCU is naffed so needs replacing, its was at the end of a long list, have just got the 4 tyres done so just the vcu left to do now,
There is no issue with leaving the vcu in place but i would imagine removing the whole prop shaft assemble would mean less wear and tear on the vcu support bearings.
I originally intended to remove all off mine but no matter what i tried i just couldn't get the front prop to separate from the ird.

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when my VCU was fooked it took my ird with it big whole the lot

my front prop was also stuck on the IRD once the bolts were loose i used a rubber mallet to help it move lol

did the job

I'm hoping i caught mine in time, no strange noises or knocks/grinds from either the IRD or the rear diff, changed the oil in the IRD and no nasty bits of metal in it, so with luck i just need a vcu and bearings
Matt tried the rubber mallet and a block of wood and big hammer but neither worked and started to get a bit concerned about doing damage so just left it
Snapper i must have been lucky my rear prop just slide nicely of the splines with no issues

Planning on taking the vcu out this week so I thought I would search. Is it a bad idea to take the vcu out leaving the propshafts in place? Or maybe take the vcu and rear prop out?

Zejmjien said:

Planning on taking the vcu out this week so I thought I would search. Is it a bad idea to take the vcu out leaving the propshafts in place? Or maybe take the vcu and rear prop out?

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Not a terribly good idea to take the VCU out and leave the props in - they tend to drag along the floor.

Zejmjien said:

Planning on taking the vcu out this week so I thought I would search. Is it a bad idea to take the vcu out leaving the propshafts in place? Or maybe take the vcu and rear prop out?

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You can't remove the VCU and leave the props in place. The VCU is the centre support for them. Additionally the prop slides onto splines at the VCU end. The props have to be removed from the IRD/ rear diff to get enough space to slide the splines free.

GrumpyGel said:

Not a terribly good idea to take the VCU out and leave the props in - they tend to drag along the floor.

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Nodge68 said:

You can't remove the VCU and leave the props in place. The VCU is the centre support for them. Additionally the prop slides onto splines at the VCU end. The props have to be removed from the IRD/ rear diff to get enough space to slide the splines free.

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Noted, I thought the shafts would be supported on the bearings. Thanks for the info

Do I need to blank the Ird?

It depends on why you're removing the VCU - if it is because its gone to stiff and you don't want to damage the IRD - then you can leave the IRD as-is. If damage has been done to the IRD, then yes it is safer to remove the pinion and replace it with a blanking plate (because gears may jam).

I am currently speaking to bell engineering to replace it so might as well stay as is

Thanks for the info guys- appreciated