Tips on 4x4 ownership please!

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Creditz

Creditz

Member
Posts
26
Location
South East
Hi

This freelander is my 1st 4x4.
Its a auto 05 SE with 67k on the clock. I think it has a couple of extras like heated seats and headed windscreen? Dont know if there is anything else.

Also on here i read about vcu? Ird? 2wd conversion? Im not sure if mine has this or not and also whats the pros and cons of 4x4? Is there extra maintenance involved?

Any points and helpful info about things to do and watch out for greatly appreciated!

Thanks
 
Creditz said:
Also on here i read about vcu? Ird? 2wd conversion? Im not sure if mine has this or not and also whats the pros and cons of 4x4? Is there extra maintenance involved?
Click to expand...

VCU a black drum-like device on the prop'shaft that delivers power to the rear wheels when needed. The VCU stiffens with age/use and then delivers drive forwards from the diff' to the IRD & G'box = very bad and possibly expensive.

The One Wheel Up Test [OWUT] gives a fair indication as to VCU condition. Jack one rear wheel up. use a 32mm socket on the rear hub nut - no need to remove the wheel. use a 1.2m long bar with a 5kg weight on the end. Time how long the bar & weight take to go from 45º to horizontal. Generally 30 seconds to 1 minute = a serviceable VCU. Approaching 2 minutes then the VCU has stiffened a lot - time to replace it.

IRD = transfer box delivers power to 4WD drive components. Can be susceptible to damage from a stiffened VCU.

2WD = prop shaft to the diff has been removed. Often done to cover a faulty VCU - IRD damage may have already been done. Inspect carefully - treat vehicle with caution until you've had an experienced person look into it. Some will claim that removing the prop shaft improves fuel economy. A doubtful claim, if any improvement is gained it will be very small and not really worth doing IMO. Also could effect your insurance cover too.

The key thing with a FL that is still completely 4WD is to drive on a set of matching tyres - identical brand, size and inflation. If a new pair of tries is to be fitted they go on the rear.

In good working order the FL is a capable 4WD. It's essentially a FWD until the front wheels slip/spin then 4WD is immediately engaged until traction is regained then disengages.
 
Last edited:
Creditz said:
Hi

This freelander is my 1st 4x4.
Its a auto 05 SE with 67k on the clock. I think it has a couple of extras like heated seats and headed windscreen? Dont know if there is anything else.

Also on here i read about vcu? Ird? 2wd conversion? Im not sure if mine has this or not and also whats the pros and cons of 4x4? Is there extra maintenance involved?

Any points and helpful info about things to do and watch out for greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Click to expand...
Bit of a wierd post :)

I'm sure a quick Google will tell you the benefits of 4WD better than a dozen people all adding something extra here. You should also understand the differences between part time 4WD, permanent 4WD and All Wheel Drive (AWD). A Google again for that, although these aren't necessarily exact terms and different explanations may be different.

With its Viscous based transmission, Freelander is AWD. It adds an overhead in terms of maintenance as you have to make sure the VCU is within acceptable tolerances (actually it more a best guess) and ensure you run exactly the same tyres all round (make & model) which isn't so difficult, but you do have to keep a keen eye to make sure their pressures are equal. Once again a quick Google on Freelander's transmission and how the VCU works will give you a better understanding of how it works (possibly) but there's also loads of info on here, and you'll soon get to learn that no 2 people have the same opinion on how the VCU works or how to test it.

.So look under your car - if it has props running front to back between the front & rear 'diff' which is separated by a lump of iron (the VCU) then you are 4x4 - unless the front diff (IRD) has been 'frigged' not to drive the prop. As suggested, do a 1 wheel up test - if the bar drops like a stone, you are running 2wd, if it takes to long, replace the VCU. Peeps generally check with a 1.2M bar and 5kg expecting a time between 30 seconds and a minute.



Check your tyres are all the same (make & model) and pumped to the same pressure.
 
Creditz said:
Hi

This freelander is my 1st 4x4.
Its a auto 05 SE with 67k on the clock. I think it has a couple of extras like heated seats and headed windscreen? Dont know if there is anything else.

Also on here i read about vcu? Ird? 2wd conversion? Im not sure if mine has this or not and also whats the pros and cons of 4x4? Is there extra maintenance involved?

Any points and helpful info about things to do and watch out for greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Click to expand...
Heated leather/ Alcantara are standard SE seats. It'll have rear Parking Distance Control (PDC) as standard as is a 6 CD multi changer stereo. The heated front screen is a very desirable option ;)
All Freelander's were AWD but some get changed to 2WD for various reasons.
Do as listed above to check the AWD is functional and not damaging;)
 
Thanks for all the advice. I will do the one wheel test when i replace the backbox which has a snapped hanger.

And I don't think its a weird question when this is a community forum for help and advice? I can google questions in future no problem.
 
Creditz said:
Thanks for all the advice. I will do the one wheel test when i replace the backbox which has a snapped hanger.

And I don't think its a weird question when this is a community forum for help and advice? I can google questions in future no problem.
Click to expand...
The only wierd bit was the pros & cons of 4WD.

The questions are decent questions to ask, but they are pretty generic and the best answer for most is to do a quick Google - you'll get more info than someone writing a couple of lines or someone writing a page on how the VCU works.... again.
 
I have a Freelander 2006 hse auto with everything except the heated windscreen and I would not swop it. upto yet it has been the best one for me I have had it 4 years now although these days I do not do the milage I used to it has no problems and as long as you look after them they should serve you well always keep a check on oils like engine back diff and the ird but with the ird always make sure you can undo the top up plug before emptying it. hope this helps
 
Ok good info thanks.

Mine has a factory fitted alarm also. Sometimes when i unlock the car (1 press opens drivers door only) and get in there is a beeping sound and a red light flashing. Is this the alarm telling me something is open/left on?
 
It worries me a bit all the 'you're screwed you bought a LR' jokes on here!! Are they really that bad?!
I bought a turbo diesel engine as i understood these to be the best all round engine in the range?
 
Nodge68 said:
Owning a P38, I'm not surprised ;)
Click to expand...
Actually since fixing all its little problems and their have been many its behaving its self I'm still oil and coolant leak free its running like a peach just clocked another 1k trouble free miles, yes I'm about to replace the cats because ones blocked but its 16years old iv done a 3 hour round trip cruise control on and averaged 22.5mpg at ERM motorway speeds not bad for an old girl it transports me the wife and 2 teenagers in comfort.:D:p:p:p:p
 
Creditz said:
It worries me a bit all the 'you're screwed you bought a LR' jokes on here!! Are they really that bad?!
I bought a turbo diesel engine as i understood these to be the best all round engine in the range?
Click to expand...

Mostly it's a bit of inter model rivalry ;)
The Freelander isn't a problem vehicle, but you must keep an eye on things like tyres. The transmission is susceptible to damage with incorrect tyre maintenance, especially as it ages. ;)
 
[GALLERY=]
biketeacherdave said:
Actually since fixing all its little problems and their have been many its behaving its self I'm still oil and coolant leak free its running like a peach just clocked another 1k trouble free miles, yes I'm about to replace the cats because ones blocked but its 16years old iv done a 3 hour round trip cruise control on and averaged 22.5mpg at ERM motorway speeds not bad for an old girl it transports me the wife and 2 teenagers in comfort.:D:p:p:p:p
Click to expand...

I'm glad the old girl is working as it should. Long may that continue;)
 
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