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.

 

[TRXnMe]

Very useful. Thanks.

 

[opking]

so how do i test my vcu and if the car is on the mud the front wheels just spin and the back sit still with no drive i am guessing the its the vcu but how do i know hope spmeone can help ???

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

so how do i test my vcu and if the car is on the mud the front wheels just spin and the back sit still with no drive i am guessing the its the vcu but how do i know hope spmeone can help ???

Read this thread!
By checking it :doh:!
If that's what happens yu def only have 2wd.

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

Austen - yu is wanted on another fred .

 

[austen]

Austen - yu is wanted on another fred .

Read this

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/only-2-wheel-drive-210340.html

 

[dj-]

Thanks this has been a helpfull thread (so far anyway )
Just done your breaker bar test on a 53 plate td4 with 130000 miles , probably a good half of those miles been don off the tar , never had vcu changed .With a 3 foot bar and my 10 stone I can turn the wheel but its tough ( first attempt saw the front wheel turn )
I take it from this a i need a new vcu and fairly sharp ish ??

Thanks

 

[jtq4u]

I think I am the first person to have published the results on a brand new genuine vcu. 34 seconds.

for the one we took off the car (at 68k, 12 years) it was 46 seconds. Test to be done on cold car. At this reading you get a slightly worse reverse on full lock, though even on a brand new genuine one there appears to still be a slight presence.. only non-genuine ones are loose enough to completely lose this.

NEW: Freelander vcu viscous coupling test (freshly fitted genuine unit) - YouTube
OLD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j_ERzLbdi8

Kind regards

James

 

[stig41345]

mine is a '54 plate td4 with 109K on the clock and has the original vcu. It does quite a lot of general farm work and when sometimes when backing a trailer it starts to smell - is this the vcu heating up? when I get chance I will do the torque test and post the results

 

[Bromsgrove Defender]

mine is a '54 plate td4 with 109K on the clock and has the original vcu. It does quite a lot of general farm work and when sometimes when backing a trailer it starts to smell - is this the vcu heating up? when I get chance I will do the torque test and post the results

So tempting

I would think it's more likely to be your clutch

Pop along to the introduce yourself bit

 

[AlexisWolf]

There's no need for a blanking plate as all you need to do is unbolt the CV joint from the IRD (6 Torx bolts).

 

[Arctic2]

Most interesting thread I yet have to do this test, even though i have paper work saying that the VCU was replaced not so long back, but I also have paper work saying that an oil change had been done the day I picked the car up and found out it had not ? so a test is on the cards for sure.

 

[aljez]

I have just been looking at a 1999 freelander for my son,done the reverse on full lock test and there did not appear to be a any resistance but the left rear wheel on a full left hand lock seemed to slip slightly once or twice and going forward on a full right hand lock the front right did the same,can anyone tell me if this is normal.I've owned a 1989 90 td for the last 21 yrs so I have little experience of new fangled tech. like vcu,s thank goodness.New member in Portugal.