The only problem with that is the reconditioners don't know what the correct fluid is (viscous rate) or the correct amount to put in. They've tried it by guess work. Trial and error until they find what they think is correct. But when you measure them against a brand new vcu they complete the one wheel up test a bit quicker than a brand new vcu. Why? This makes the Freelander feel "looser" which makes peeps think it's betterer. If the reconditioners don't agree with this then they can give me a receipt for the brand new vcu they purchased as a comparison, to start with. Also proof of the test Freelander they owned at the time which they used for testing.

Rant over. More popcorn required. :pop2:
 
I use 12.500 CSt in "soft" couplings suitable for road use. 30.000 CSt is close to the fluid in the original item.

 
dave21478 said:
Until someone recons one with whatever aftermarket fluid and posts valid side-by-side comparisons with a new OE or good reconditioned (like from Bells) unit then its all just speculation and ****ing into the wind. I think these silicone oils "work" in that they produce a similar effect but whether its the RIGHT fluid that behaves correctly under the various conditions of force and temperature inside the VCU over time is IMO unlikely.
Click to expand...

Exactly Dave, after all that GKN doc clearly states that they use "Silicone fluid optimised with specific additives for lifetime performance". You wouldn't see a GKN unit crapping out after 20K miles, would you?

I think that GKN doc is corporate flannel trying to make their fluid somehow special and unique. My daughter paid fecking silly money for a pair of hair straighteners cos they have some fancy brand name - but a cheap pair from 'the Warehouse' will probably do just as good a job. My son was the same with trainers - until he found AliExpress and realised how much beer he could buy with the savings!

That's not to say a new GKN unit or a recon unit from a known good source are that overly expensive - just what they do isn't as much rocket science as they'd like you to believe.
 
Another issue I have is that the F1 has been out of production now for almost 10 years. Do GKN still manufacture the VCUs or are they just selling stocks made from then? If they are, we know little about how the VCUs become to stiff - whether its age, use, type of use or a combination. If they become stiff with age or little use, how good is a 'new' GKN unit?

Once again, I'm not saying a new GKN unit WILL be bad - just a thought, and I'm probably wrong because we don't hear stories of new GKN units failing in the same way we do for units reconed by shonky outfits.

Interestingly - on those Dow Corning bottles it states they were manufactured in 2009 and have an EXPIRY date of 2012.
 
Last edited:
New vcu's won't have had time to fail as they're still relatively new. GKN still make new vcu's. Buying a new vcu is still possible. A new vcu is just that. A new vcu. Never been used. Never been tinkered with. It's new and to the correct spec/design. All GKN vcu's for the FL1 have a date mark. This becomes invalid if reconditioned.

I can only assume the bottle has a shelf lift due to the bottle seal, moisture/air getting in etc. If it were a sealed metal tin it would be longer.
 
Hippo said:
Do you recondition vcu's yourself? Is this just for yourself or do you sell them?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call what I do on the VCUs "reconditioning", Hippo. "Fluid replacement", rather.

I do this on my own units and also for those who ask me to do it for them. New units are expensive in Norway and so is the shipping from UK to here.
 
jonaf said:
I wouldn't call what I do on the VCUs "reconditioning", Hippo. "Fluid replacement", rather.

I do this on my own units and also for those who ask me to do it for them. New units are expensive in Norway and so is the shipping from UK to here.
Click to expand...
Hi!

I have tried to change the fluid of my Freelander's VCU, then I used RC Diff Silicone oil grade 12,500 cst, about 120 ml, tried to do some axle crossing and the VCU did not "lock", the rear diff was "dead". What is the amount of oil that I have to use? Or the grade?

Thanks :)
 
Mike Nascimento said:
Hi!

I have tried to change the fluid of my Freelander's VCU, then I used RC Diff Silicone oil grade 12,500 cst, about 120 ml, tried to do some axle crossing and the VCU did not "lock", the rear diff was "dead". What is the amount of oil that I have to use? Or the grade?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...


why did you use oil?
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
exactly :)

however custard is not an approved medium for use within VCU's ;)
Click to expand...
lol

But... Can you give me an hint?
A link... of where to buy such fluid?
I have a group of friends that also own Freelanders and I am trying to help them to restore te 4x4 abbilities, I'm using my Freelande as pacient 0, after I get it rigth I can help them in "pro bono"
 
Mike Nascimento said:
lol

But... Can you give me an hint?
A link... of where to buy such fluid?
I have a group of friends that also own Freelanders and I am trying to help them to restore te 4x4 abbilities, I'm using my Freelande as pacient 0, after I get it rigth I can help them in "pro bono"
Click to expand...

if it was that easy, everyone would do it. I suggest you ask Landrover..................

or you could ask @austen :D
 
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