Freelander Project IV (Bertie)

I have nothing relevant to add to this thread.
But it's very interesting. Beats the hell out of doing my job
Maybe one more coffee before I tackle the next fly tip

Mike

Nodge68 said:

A high steer device negates the need to tin bashing too.

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Yeh, on paper a win-win solution - lift with no body mods. I think Muddy DD built some for his beast?

Ultimately though - there will be a lot of forces (leveraged) going through such a device bolting to the standard steering arm - there are real safety aspects to them.

Note having a pop at your suggestion - its a possible win-win - just raising my concerns with them.

GrumpyGel said:

Yeh, on paper a win-win solution - lift with no body mods. I think Muddy DD built some for his beast?

Ultimately though - there will be a lot of forces (leveraged) going through such a device bolting to the standard steering arm - there are real safety aspects to them.

Note having a pop at your suggestion - its a possible win-win - just raising my concerns with them.

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I would and have sheared the exact concern in a passed thread, long before DD used them.

LUKBENPHI said:

I'm having Bell fit me a new VCU and bearings next tuesday so I'll report back on how they've done it next week

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I've seen them at work.
Say hello for me from the immovable front propshaft Pajero visitor. Tell them all seems fine if you would.

GrumpyGel said:

Yeh, on paper a win-win solution - lift with no body mods.

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Where do I find info on it? Sounds ideal to me.

helijohn said:

Where do I find info on it? Sounds ideal to me.

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I think the thread I remember talk about it on was DieselDo's L Series musings - but not sure. I think the search box and Google will be your friends.

It does make sense that if you lower the suspension pieces, that you then raise back up the steering arm connection - but as discussed above briefly, tread with caution.

I didn't get much time with Bertie this weekend as had to work Friday night, Saturday and this morning plus the normal family stuff but I did manage to finish cleaning out the VCU, have a go and fail at removing the hub nut so I can replace the wheel studs. Then this evening I decided to see if I could swap the steering arms around so the track rod end bolts are to the rear of the car instead of the front. As said earlier this should give more clearance for the 50mm lift kit.

The rear wheel hub is so tight my 1m 1/2" breaker bar is just bending so I've ordered a 3/4" breaker bar and 32mm socket and will give it another go when it arrives.

The steering arms are a bit of a pig to swap, I had to take off the air filter cover to get at them but even though I have a Torx socket the right size the space is too small to get at them so I found a 14mm socket fits nicely. This seemed to work well but after loosening a few turns thay have tightened up so I left them soaking in release oil and will try again later. They are probably full of locktite or just rusted but whatever it is they done't want to shift.

The VCU seems to be fairly clean inside now as the white spirit is coming out quite clear. I was pouring it in one of the holes and turning the VCU to try and mix it through the disks inside and for a long time it came out very dirty and thick. I thought I had it drained pretty well, then used the compressor to blast air in one hole and a cloud of white spirit came out the other. I did this for a while turning it every minute or so until the air coming out the other hole was clean so the next job is to tap the holes, inject 150mls of new 100k cst silicone fluid and seal it up. Getting the fluid in takes time too though as it needs to get right down into the VCU and between the disks so still a few nights work to go with that before refitting.

Alibro said:

Getting the fluid in takes time too though as it needs to get right down into the VCU and between the disks so still a few nights work to go with that before refitting.

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What sort of cost in terms of your labour and supplies/parts would you put on the work done on the VCU when ready to go back on?

That sounds like a great project! I just replaced my tyres (16"s) with chunky Toyo AT's and I'm in love with them. What sort of exhaust system are you looking at? I'm thinking about redoing mine as well. Would love some input from a fellow hippo owner.

NorthernHippo said:

That sounds like a great project! I just replaced my tyres (16"s) with chunky Toyo AT's and I'm in love with them. What sort of exhaust system are you looking at? I'm thinking about redoing mine as well. Would love some input from a fellow hippo owner.

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I've just made this exhaust for mine. Well worth doing as it improves low Rpm torque.

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Nodge68 said:

I've just made this exhaust for mine. Well worth doing as it improves low Rpm torque.

• View attachment 106762

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Nice one mate.. how would you describe the 'noise' difference' ? - loos superb btw - great job !
Joe

Joe_H said:

Nice one mate.. how would you describe the 'noise' difference' ? - loos superb btw - great job !
Joe

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It is louder than the factory box. But not exclusively so. It's got deep and subtle tone, more than intrusive. I really like it and it's made such a difference to turbo spool up times too.

What box did you use John?

helijohn said:

What sort of cost in terms of your labour and supplies/parts would you put on the work done on the VCU when ready to go back on?

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I haven't counted the hours on this but so far not that many as I would work at it for half an hour or so pouring in white spirit, cranking it round for a bit and then leave it to drip out, maybe 3 or four. as for materials, very little. I the fluid was £34 for 500 mls which should be enough to repair 3 VCU's and the bolts or grease nipples are only a pound or so each. Maybe £15 all in.

NorthernHippo said:

That sounds like a great project! I just replaced my tyres (16"s) with chunky Toyo AT's and I'm in love with them. What sort of exhaust system are you looking at? I'm thinking about redoing mine as well. Would love some input from a fellow hippo owner.

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Interesting you mention Toyo AT tyres as they were on my list of tyres to consider. Partly for their looks and performance but mainly for their price.

helijohn said:

I've seen them at work.
Say hello for me from the immovable front propshaft Pajero visitor. Tell them all seems fine if you would.

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Said hello, he said its only time they've never been able to shift one

I've made a few updates to the 50mm installation instructions if anyone is interested. I've now added a How To swap steering arms.

LUKBENPHI said:

Said hello, he said its only time they've never been able to shift one

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Thanks.
I thought he'd remember me....................it's the Pajero that does it.
I am rather pleased I did it that way (taking it to them) but it is fortunate the Dudley/Worcester is within striking distance.
Is yours all done then?

helijohn said:

Thanks.
I thought he'd remember me....................it's the Pajero that does it.
I am rather pleased I did it that way (taking it to them) but it is fortunate the Dudley/Worcester is within striking distance.
Is yours all done then?

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No Probs, weren't for me 225 mile trip lol

Yeah new VCU fitted, new diff bushes fitted wax oil and a good wash last night and now back eating up its 80 mile a day commute although it has got some other issues like no air con and a potential dody high pressure loom fault to sort but can wait until ive got some money now lol

LUKBENPHI said:

No Probs, weren't for me 225 mile trip lol

Yeah new VCU fitted, new diff bushes fitted wax oil and a good wash last night and now back eating up its 80 mile a day commute although it has got some other issues like no air con and a potential dody high pressure loom fault to sort but can wait until ive got some money now lol

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Before I bought one I read somewhere that the VCU is a service item and I asked about every car I went to see if it had been changed or was on any records of work done and nada. It has eaten up the money I was allocating to the lift so like you it'll be a while before I do owt.