does the VCU get hot?

Rodeo Joe · Jun 13, 2018

Ok so now I am about to take my second foray into freelander ownership- the first one didn't go too well.....
Glutton for punishment- possibly.
I have trawled pages of VCU threads but can anybody tell me if the temperature of the unit after a drive can give any indications of it starting to stiffen up.
Thanks

Madmustang · Jun 13, 2018

Rodeo Joe said:
Ok so now I am about to take my second foray into freelander ownership- the first one didn't go too well.....
Glutton for punishment- possibly.
I have trawled pages of VCU threads but can anybody tell me if the temperature of the unit after a drive can give any indications of it starting to stiffen up.
Thanks

You need to do the OWUT "One Wheel Up Test" if its red hot after a normal drive it looks like its foobar'd but the OWUT would be a better indicator of this.

Rodeo Joe · Jun 13, 2018

Hello, yes I am aware of the OWUT but I can't do that on a test drive. Had a couple of mile run in it today and the unit was cold to the touch, I was really wondering how long it would take to get up to temp. and how hot is too hot- not very quantifiable I know but any ideas, its got 135K on the clock so if its on its second one thats at the end of its life but got no real history and at about £700 I was thinking of taking a punt..........

gstuart · Jun 13, 2018

hi

when i took mine on a test drive, i found a quiet flat road, then done a left and right figure 8 in reverse , on tick-over / low revs , to see if i could feel any restriction like the VCU/ brakes are on, or any knocks as i turned the wheel from left to right , didnt hold the wheel on full lock

it was an auto TD4 and happily done the test on tickover

know it’s not a proper test and indeed like @Madmustang suggested the OWUT is the only real way to ensure the VCU is ok

GrumpyGel · Jun 13, 2018

Rodeo Joe said:
Hello, yes I am aware of the OWUT but I can't do that on a test drive. Had a couple of mile run in it today and the unit was cold to the touch, I was really wondering how long it would take to get up to temp. and how hot is too hot- not very quantifiable I know but any ideas, its got 135K on the clock so if its on its second one thats at the end of its life but got no real history and at about £700 I was thinking of taking a punt..........

The turnip test (think that's what peeps call it) is probably less reliable than reversing on full lock and sensing for braking effect.

If you can't do the OWUT, the best thing to do is to budget for a replacement VCU (and bearings) - £270 from Bells.

...and hope the IRD hasn't already been shagged or converted to 2WD.

Check all 4 tyres are same make/model as well as that is a sign the IRD/VCU will be worn and/or an immediate expense to put right.

pardec · Jun 13, 2018

Many years ago i made the mistake of putting the wrong tyres on the rear.
The immediate symptoms were a drone between 55 - 60mph and the vcu was hot to the touch.

Corrected my mistake and doing the same route there was no drone and the vcu was only warm to the touch

Nodge68 · Jun 13, 2018

The VCU will warm up quite a bit, if it's forced to slip excessively. Incorrect tyres or 1 low tyre is a classic reason for excessive VCU slip. In normal use with correct tyres a working VCU, will gradually warm up a bit. There's always going to be a bit of VCU slip, as the gearing between front and rear is different. This slip will cause the VCU temp to rise above ambient by a few degrees. It won't warm up in a 2 mile test drive however. It's always best to test drive a vehicle for 20 miles or more, so any problems would show themselves.

Hippo · Jun 16, 2018

Turnip test results

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/goto/post?id=2205134#post-2205134

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/goto/post?id=1527106#post-1527106

does the VCU get hot?

Rodeo Joe

Well-Known Member

Madmustang

Well-Known Member

Rodeo Joe

Well-Known Member

gstuart

D3 Grandad

GrumpyGel

Well-Known Member

pardec

Active Member

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

Hippo

Lord Hippo

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