DIY VCU service

jedi · Mar 28, 2014

As I have now removed my VCU, I`ve been able to get a better look at it, and have noticed what look like a fill and drain hole.... has anyone come across this?

It seems to be plugged with what seems like a ball valve but on closer inspection the ball valve does not move, so I presume its some sort of security screw, the type you tighten then it snaps off...

Im planning to drill these out and see if I can blow compressed air into it to see if the fluid comes out and the VCU free`s up a little? Maybe even refilling if I can fine a suitable fluid?

Has anyone done this before

DaddyCoolJordan · Mar 28, 2014

Could save people alot of money if you can

Irishrover · Mar 28, 2014

Rework of the VCU seems to be a bit of a black art. The people that do it hold their cards very close to their chest- understandably.
The type of medium used is not publicised with regard to the specification and quantity also the procedure for draining, stripdown and rebuild also seems to be difficult to track down-if you get it wrong the VCU will either lock up or not work at all.
Personally I would just prefer to get a recon unit from Bell which comes with a warranty and a proven reputation for a couple of hundred quid or just run in mondo mode if things were tight money wise.
Whilst I appreciate your enthusiasm...we all like to know how things work...bear in mind that if you start stripping and drilling bits out that the likely result will be you having to pay a surcharge to the likes of Bell because your old VCU is no longer serviceable.

zefrench · Mar 28, 2014

The Land Rover Argentina forums has posts with quantities and type of fluid. I will not link to it, but feel free to google it.

scarecrow243 · Mar 28, 2014

there is videos on you tube but they are talking germen they srip it down and replace with thick clear fluid

jedi · Mar 28, 2014

scarecrow243 said:
there is videos on you tube but they are talking germen they srip it down and replace with thick clear fluid

Is this the VW VCU unit?......if so think I've seen it, this VCU strips down......

jedi · Mar 28, 2014

zefrench said:
The Land Rover Argentina forums has posts with quantities and type of fluid. I will not link to it, but feel free to google it.

"Reparacion del viscoso?

jedi · Mar 28, 2014

Irishrover said:
Rework of the VCU seems to be a bit of a black art. The people that do it hold their cards very close to their chest- understandably.
The type of medium used is not publicised with regard to the specification and quantity also the procedure for draining, stripdown and rebuild also seems to be difficult to track down-if you get it wrong the VCU will either lock up or not work at all.
Personally I would just prefer to get a recon unit from Bell which comes with a warranty and a proven reputation for a couple of hundred quid or just run in mondo mode if things were tight money wise.
Whilst I appreciate your enthusiasm...we all like to know how things work...bear in mind that if you start stripping and drilling bits out that the likely result will be you having to pay a surcharge to the likes of Bell because your old VCU is no longer serviceable.

A lot of truth in what you say.....but I like a fiddle

DaddyCoolJordan · Mar 28, 2014

What ever floats your boat in your own time

Ian jones · Mar 28, 2014

jedi said:
A lot of truth in what you say.....but I like a fiddle

VCU is a taboo subject

it must be the only item on the freelander that the diy enthusiast has not conquered

, it would be interesting to know what fluid is used and what it takes to recondition one . £200 for a recon is not bad , parr for the course you would say , but if you paid £20 for the fluid , and knew how to do it JACKPOT

jonaf · Mar 28, 2014

I have done a couple of VCUs. The one in in my current Freelander I drained completely and then refilled with 30.000 cst silicone fluid. This one works OK but it took a very long time to drain it and it is also hard find fluid with this high viscosity.
In one I did earlier I just part drained it and then put in some thinner fluid (12.500 cst). It worked well also but it was hit and miss how much fluid to replace.
The hard bit is getting the the steel ball out. These are hardened bearing balls so they can't be drilled out. A 4mm core drill is one way to do it but it is also possible to TIG weld a piece of thin steel rod to the balls and jiggle them out. Both balls have to be removed.
Filling is done by tapping in a grease nipple and filling the unit with silicone fluid by a grease gun. The hole in the opposite end is sealed by tapping a plug in.

jedi · Mar 28, 2014

Excellent stuff, Thanks Jonaf, So it can be done DIY

How far are we drilling in here, for example if I drill a totally new hole? I have read 12mm? is this correct?

as for fluid...Corn starch and water mixture lol!!!!!!

Dilatant Fluid Demonstration (Non-Newtonian Fluid) - YouTube

But something like this seems better, more research needed. :monitor_punch:

http://www.clearcoproducts.com/silicone_damping_fluids.html

essexpestcontrol · Mar 28, 2014

interesting, waits eagerly for results/pictures etc

bukko · Mar 28, 2014

Can't remember where I got this from now, but:

Silicone oil, Dow Corning Corporation 200® fluid, viscosity 60,000 cSt (25 C) | [-Si(CH3)2O-]n | Sigma-Aldrich

scarecrow243 · Mar 28, 2014

has anyone tried to unscrew the vcu ??? or tried a h/press etc to separate it

baptista · Mar 28, 2014

I think when it is reconditioned it is "cut open"

JC600 · Mar 29, 2014

Would rather buy a recon unit with warrenty, than get it wrong and destroy the diff or IRD, or both.

myotherworld · Mar 29, 2014

JC600 said:
Would rather buy a recon unit with warrenty, than get it wrong and destroy the diff or IRD, or both.

I agree. but if it is something that can be done by someone with a little DIY then it may be worth finding out.
back in the old day of VHS recorders, the black art of head cleaning was done at the shop, until the repair guy did it in front of me one day.
we all paid to get our cars serviced until we found out how to do it,

bukko · Mar 29, 2014

It's easy enough to test if you know what to expect, so where's the risk?

GrumpyGel · Mar 29, 2014

I'm interested in this DIY service - may give it a go sometime. Can't get recon units here and have to have them shipped from UK - ain't cheap. It depends on whether the appropriate 'fluid' can be sourced here.

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