The Definitive Freelander VCU testing thread

[The Mad Hat Man]

Here is the latest VCU test, as proposed by Hippo, on this site.

The angle that the bar traverses through is likely to be critical.
I suggest the the bar starts at 1:30oclock and ends at 4:30oclock? ie the bar traverses 90 degrees starting at 45 degrees and ending at 135 degreees. This to be carried out with a 1 metre bar and a 5KG weight.

Just in case it makes a difference, it would be useful if model & engine type of freelander was noted - see the vcu test results thread.

 

[Hippo]

We is famous.

LZfamous lxOzQBV

 

[Oddie]

If yer here coz the mag sent you then yer HG has failed, yer boyfriend is having an affair with another hairdresser and you should paint the brake calipers red to match yer ring piece. Signed er pretend rufty tufty tratter boy.

 

[Beast o Bodmin]

when arriveing here from car mecanic magazine be warned there are gay tratter wierdos as above.

there also skin flints and have babies on christmas day.

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

Just thought I would poo-poo the above article, although nice that they send peeps to us.....

If, as shown in the second diagram, the VCU locks at just above 100C, then the reply which states that "It is working at its best at these temperatures (Circa110C) cannot be true. What it means is that the VCU is working at its "locking" temperature all the time.
I would argue that, in normal driving, the VCU should hardly ever reach that temperature and, if it does, then there is a major problem somewhere, as the only reason it should get to that temperature is if there is significant shear forces within the VCU - ie major "slippage" between input and output shafts.

 

[adamgamsa]

To do the test "put into first gear". What about for automatics?

 

[Hippo]

To do the test "put into first gear". What about for automatics?

Just lift one rear wheel. Doesn't matter what gear it's in. Doesn't matter if it's a manwell or auto. Don't forget to release handbrake un chock the front wheels.

 

[adamgamsa]

Just lift one rear wheel. Doesn't matter what gear it's in. Doesn't matter if it's a manwell or auto. Don't forget to release handbrake un chock the front wheels.

OK, will do. Thanks for that.

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

The tests have been done and the results are pretty conclusive. I've compiled the data from threads on here over a few years now. Although the test conditions have altered slightly over time, which is a pain.

I do know the if the OWUT is done with a 1.2m lever with 5 Kgs hung on the end. The time is the time taken for the lever to move from 45° to 90°.
A new genuine GKN VCU takes about 18 seconds.
The time taken for a home reconditioned VCO with 100,000 fluid is about 18 seconds. This is dependent on the fill level though. Less fluid and more air means lower times. More fluid or pressurised fluid slows the time down.
A Bell Engineering reconditioned VCU also times at 18 seconds.

A lower miles but well tept VCU times between 30 and 45 seconds.

A VCU that has over 100,000 well kept miles will generally show times of 45 to 60 seconds.

Abused VCUs ( incorrect tyres) generally show times well over a minute, some well over 2 minutes. It's these that will damage the IRD / diff in very short distances.

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