Bell recon VCU lifespan

guineafowl21 · Mar 30, 2018

The reconditioned VCU I got from Bell has just expired suddenly. Last week, I pulled into a parking bay with no problems. This week, it felt like the brakes were on, rear tyres scrubbing (tarmac) and the engine note changed and there were vibrations (wound-up powertrain held at an angle?)

Even pulling out of junctions causes scrubbing now. I’ve whipped the prop off, but couldn’t do a OWUT as I don’t have my breaker bar and big socket with me. I think we can safely assume it would be prolonged if the transmission is winding up so badly. The car drives fine now.

So, the lifespan was:
2 years 9 months
About 35,000 miles.

Yes, all four tyres were fitted at the same time (Pirelli Scorpion STR) and kept at 30 psi.

Could this be a seized bearing inside? It’s more sudden than I expected. The fluid can’t have gone off yet, surely.

pardec · Mar 30, 2018

Not good.

Just for a comparison i bought a brand new GKN 6 years ago 60k still fine

pardec · Mar 30, 2018

From my understanding there are no bearings inside just plates and fluid, could be wrong though

guineafowl21 · Mar 30, 2018

You’d expect a brand new one to last, AFAIK, 70,000 miles at least and perhaps ten years.

Maybe not so much for a recon, but I was hoping for a longer life. Is there a Bell person on here?

pardec · Mar 30, 2018

At the time it was £100 dearer than a bell recon

Looks like it was worth it

Nodge68 · Mar 30, 2018

I'd expect a Bell reconditioned VCU to last as long as the original VCU. Contact Austen at Bell and see what he says on the subject. If it turns out that 30K miles is all that can be expected, then it's better to buy new.

The Mad Hat Man · Mar 30, 2018

guineafowl21 said:
You’d expect a brand new one to last, AFAIK, 70,000 miles at least and perhaps ten years.

Maybe not so much for a recon, but I was hoping for a longer life. Is there a Bell person on here?

@Austin

guineafowl21 · Mar 30, 2018

@austen from Bell appears to be an active member, but the @ tag doesn’t show him up.

I remember chatting to him two years ago on here about why they sell dummy IRDs that look 4wd but aren’t.

Seems a reasonable chap, anyway. I’ll try an email, although the VCU is out of warranty.

blue beasty · Mar 30, 2018

guineafowl21 said:
@austen from Bell appears to be an active member, but the @ tag doesn’t show him up.

I remember chatting to him two years ago on here about why they sell dummy IRDs that look 4wd but aren’t.

Seems a reasonable chap, anyway. I’ll try an email, although the VCU is out of warranty.

Not posted since this time last year

GrumpyGel · Mar 30, 2018

Interesting. I'm sure some GKN units fail in 35K miles, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are not exactly brilliant out of the factory. However, most would be good for a "decent" life time.

This may come down to the old chestnut of not knowing exactly what fluid GKN use for their couplings.

Have you checked the tyre pressures since you noticed the problem?

guineafowl21 · Mar 30, 2018

GrumpyGel said:
Have you checked the tyre pressures since you noticed the problem?

Checked pretty much every week - they’ve never been far off anyway. But this VCU was ‘good’ one week - turning 90 degrees into a tarmac space at idle - then very bad the next. Something’s odd.

Nodge68 · Mar 30, 2018

guineafowl21 said:
Checked pretty much every week - they’ve never been far off anyway. But this VCU was ‘good’ one week - turning 90 degrees into a tarmac space at idle - then very bad the next. Something’s odd.

Sounds very odd doesn't it. I tested my VCU just a few weeks ago because I was getting some drag when reversing on full lock. Mine tested as ok, in fact better than the last test I did 12 miles earlier. My VCU has 122K on it and it still tests at about 40 seconds which is a surprise. I still get some drag when reversing, but I'm going to consider it normal for the time being.

guineafowl21 · Mar 30, 2018

Good service alert: Austen has emailed suggesting I send it in for testing. I’ll keep you posted.

Alibro · Apr 1, 2018

You could test it yourself by putting a couple of big screwdrivers into the joints either side of the VCU. If you can turn it by hand without giving yourself a hernia then it's probably OK, if not then send it back.

Framtaff · Apr 7, 2018

Not an expert on this subject. However spoke to my guy at garage. Has fixed my cars for 20 years. We live out in sticks. He has worked on dozens of freelander and has long relationship with his customers cars. Never had to replace a vcu. Sometimes the bearings but never vcu. Im not saying they dont break but it is an interesting observation.

Nodge68 · Apr 7, 2018

Framtaff said:
Not an expert on this subject. However spoke to my guy at garage. Has fixed my cars for 20 years. We live out in sticks. He has worked on dozens of freelander and has long relationship with his customers cars. Never had to replace a vcu. Sometimes the bearings but never vcu. Im not saying they dont break but it is an interesting observation.

The VCU does stiffen over time and simply ignoring it is playing a lottery as to when the IRD goes bang.

Not an observation but fact.

Framtaff · Apr 7, 2018

Nodge68 said:
The VCU does stiffen over time and simply ignoring it is playing a lottery as to when the IRD goes bang.

Not an observation but fact.

Hi, mine has done 90k I can feel it tighten on full lock forward and reverse. After a long fast run the vcu is still cold to touch. Lots of posts say a bit of stiffness on full lock normal. Some posters seem to say it is a sign of need to replace. It seems like this is a much debated subject. I will ask mechanic how many ird he has replaced. Im pretty sure he hasn' replaced any but will double check.

Nodge68 · Apr 7, 2018

Framtaff said:
Hi, mine has done 90k I can feel it tighten on full lock forward and reverse. After a long fast run the vcu is still cold to touch. Lots of posts say a bit of stiffness on full lock normal. Some posters seem to say it is a sign of need to replace. It seems like this is a much debated subject. I will ask mechanic how many ird he has replaced. Im pretty sure he hasn' replaced any but will double check.

You only need to look at Freelander's offered for sale with "transmission fault". The of number IRD failures is high, but it does depend on how the FL is treated and maintained. Odd and incorrect tyres is the primary reason the VCU starts to fail. This then loads up the IRD and it eventually goes bang. This is why we recommend doing the one wheel up test at least every 6 months and make sure all tyres are identical with least worn on the rear.

The Mad Hat Man · Apr 7, 2018

“Prop removed for fuel efficiency”

guineafowl21 · Apr 7, 2018

Framtaff said:
Hi, mine has done 90k I can feel it tighten on full lock forward and reverse. After a long fast run the vcu is still cold to touch. Lots of posts say a bit of stiffness on full lock normal. Some posters seem to say it is a sign of need to replace. It seems like this is a much debated subject. I will ask mechanic how many ird he has replaced. Im pretty sure he hasn' replaced any but will double check.

A much debated subject indeed. Is your mechanic saying my symptoms are unlikely to be the VCU?

Bell recon VCU lifespan

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Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

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