Tyre depth

TD4 Si · Nov 5, 2019

Hi can I drive my freelander with 6mm at both rear tyres and 5mm on front tyres only I heard it can damage the vcu and I only recently had this renewed. It does seem to have some vibration on certain road surfaces and at certain speeds but don't want to damage it.
Thank you

websun · Nov 5, 2019

Rule of thumb is to have the same profile on all four, with the best on the rear.

Colthebrummie · Nov 5, 2019

The only safe answer is no both tyres need to be the same diameter, if anyone says it will be fine and then the vcu goes bang, you'll blame them. If it was mine though, I wouldn't worry.

Col

TD4 Si · Nov 5, 2019

The rear ones are new and the front ones need replacing but the rear ones aren't that old so don't really want to replace all four

TD4 Si · Nov 5, 2019

Colthebrummie said:
The only safe answer is no both tyres need to be the same diameter, if anyone says it will be fine and then the vcu goes bang, you'll blame them. If it was mine though, I wouldn't worry.

Col

Is it really critical to make sure the tyre depths are the same on all four, obviously I will get it checked tomorrow see what the local tyre company say.

Nodge68 · Nov 5, 2019

TD4 Si said:
Hi can I drive my freelander with 6mm at both rear tyres and 5mm on front tyres only I heard it can damage the vcu and I only recently had this renewed.

TD4 Si said:
Is it really critical to make sure the tyre depths are the same on all four, obviously I will get it checked tomorrow see what the local tyre company say.

If the front has 5mm of tread and the rear has 6mm then providing the tyres are identical, then that's within specification.

Odd tyres are far more damaging than small differences in tread depth.

Also make sure the pressure is the same for all tyres.

TD4 Si · Nov 5, 2019

They are identical as in size wise profile etc they are different makes however as the garage didn't have the same type that was on there but they are same size wise.

J_D · Nov 5, 2019

They may be the same size, ie 255 55 17s or whatever size, but different tread pattern and makes have a different rolling radius. The only way to be sure is have all the same and keep the tread depth as even as poss by rotating as and when necessary. And you say the rears are new with 6mm tread??? Its your choice, and vcu. I agree though, mine aren't exactly the same tread depth, but are the same tyre. It does mean though, an unrepairable puncture could cost 4 new tyres!

GrumpyGel · Nov 5, 2019

Have a read of this to find out what different spec tyres can do to Freelander...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/feels-like-driving-with-brakes-on.260939/

The OP had 4 new Goodyear Efficientgrip tyres fitted and the car drove like a dog. Although the tyres looked identical, 2 were marked "SUV 4x4" and 2 as "SUV". It was more than enough to screw up the Freelander's transmission.

So, even though you may not feel like there's any trouble (I didn't when my IRD went BANG), its quite possible there is a whole heap of trouble building if you use mismatch tyres.

Nodge68 · Nov 6, 2019

TD4 Si said:
They are identical as in size wise profile etc they are different makes however as the garage didn't have the same type that was on there but they are same size wise.

That's the problem. A freelander MUST have identical tyres, same make, same type, same size. Not having identical tyres will cause the VCU to stiffen up, causing wind up of the axles. Don't use it until all tyres are identical.

TD4 Si · Nov 7, 2019

This is all very confusing I have had some people telling me not to worry and then some telling me to change all four tyres, I have just spent 700 getting the vcu sorted and now it's going to cost me how much getting four complete tyres, I'm thinking bout taking the props off and running it 2 wd so would that make it easier for the tyres as my job means I can't afford this cost of new tyres after the vcu cpent me out. How much is four tyres roughly.

Hippo · Nov 7, 2019

Take the props and vcu off in one piece. Then drive it to see if the vibrations disappear. You will need to advise yer insurance of this as its a mod.

If replacing the tires is needed and its not possible to at the moment then leave the vcu and props oft. Naturally it wont be as good in the snow if yer somewhere where winter is harsh.

TD4 Si · Nov 7, 2019

It only vibrates on certain roads not all the time which could it be me just getting use to driving a 4x4 with all terrain tyres on it. The vcu stays warm and the ird is warm after a 20 mile drive so it's not overheating.

TD4 Si · Nov 7, 2019

Or could be just road noise on certain types of tarmac it sounds very loud and slight vibration difference is this normal.

Nodge68 · Nov 7, 2019

TD4 Si said:
This is all very confusing I have had some people telling me not to worry and then some telling me to change all four tyres

I initially said it's ok with 1mm difference in tread depth, however I didn't know it had odd tyres at the time.

Who said to buy odd tyres? Cos know one on here would say that. The FL1 transmission is too fussy for odd tyres, and most seasoned FL1 owners would know that.

TD4 Si said:
I have just spent 700 getting the vcu sorted and now it's going to cost me how much getting four complete tyres, I'm thinking bout taking the props off and running it 2 wd so would that make it easier for the tyres as my job means I can't afford this cost of new tyres after the vcu cpent me out

£700 sounds like a lot for a part that costs under £250.

TD4 Si said:
How much is four tyres roughly.

What size and type? You only have 2 odd tyres, so you only need 2 matching tyres .

TD4 Si said:
Or could be just road noise on certain types of tarmac it sounds very loud and slight vibration difference is this normal.

There shouldn't be any vibration, so the transmission is complaining about the current set up.

GrumpyGel · Nov 7, 2019

A blown IRD costs a lot more than a recon VCU to fix. Plus of course, you'll probably have trashed your new VCU as well.

The best solution is to get 2 new tyres the same as the best type on the car, fit them to the back and the old ones on the front.

TD4 Si · Nov 7, 2019

GrumpyGel said:
A blown IRD costs a lot more than a recon VCU to fix. Plus of course, you'll probably have trashed your new VCU as well.

The best solution is to get 2 new tyres the same as the best type on the car, fit them to the back and the old ones on the front.

Your right I will try to get 2tomorrow and have them put on hopefully this will make a difference. The back ones are only about two months old and only done about 500miles so hopefully they have the same make size etc

Nodge68 · Nov 8, 2019

TD4 Si said:
The back ones are only about two months old and only done about 500miles so hopefully they have the same make size etc

Make sure you move the 2 older tyres to the front and have the pair of identical tyres fitted, making sure they're at the correct pressure and fitted to the rear.

Tyre depth

TD4 Si

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websun

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Nodge68

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