Gaj1612 · Jan 28, 2015

hi,
i bought a new vcu from bell engineering on saturday. i have changed all 3 diff mounts and fitted the new vcu, but it is still tight on full lock in reverse. theres also a vibration at low revs. could any one help shed some light on this please as its starting to get on my nerves

Alibro · Jan 28, 2015

Have you done the One Wheel Up test?

Gaj1612 · Jan 28, 2015

Alibro said:
Have you done the One Wheel Up test?

no not yet ill do it tomorrow though

roccotune · Jan 28, 2015

Gaj1612 said:
no not yet ill do it tomorrow though

Let us know the results! Also remember that they are always a bit tight even when new, the VCU always gives some resistance and always gives some drive so you have a bit more to turn than a 2wd.

deangermouse · Jan 28, 2015

I'm sure one of the threads on here says that it will be stiff in reverse in full lock, but as long as you can go back on full lock on idle only, then it is ok, if the vcu is too tight then it will stall the engine. This is the first fl1 I have had and it does feel strange when moving slowly on full lock, back or forwards. My td4 2001 needed new bearings in the rear diff, apparently this is a common issue with land rovers in general. Hope this helps

Hippo · Jan 29, 2015

Gaj1612 said:
... theres also a vibration at low revs...

When?

Turning left?
turning right?
driving straight?
in first gear only?
any gear?
does it do it when rolling in neutral?

teddywood1 · Jan 29, 2015

I was having this conversation with a man from LR and he says if there is no resistance when doing the reverse test then the vcu has gone

GrumpyGel · Jan 29, 2015

teddywood1 said:
I was having this conversation with a man from LR and he says if there is no resistance when doing the reverse test then the vcu has gone

If you'd put someone unfamiliar with the Freelander in mine and he reversed it on lock, he probably wouldn't have felt anything different to a 'normal' car. The VCU had was doing its job though cos it tore my IRD to bits when running with a low pressure tyre!

Gaj1612 · Jan 29, 2015

Hippo said:
When?

Turning left?
turning right?
driving straight?
in first gear only?
any gear?
does it do it when rolling in neutral?

In all gears at low revs and when turning. Doesn't do it when rolling in neutral

teddywood1 · Jan 29, 2015

GrumpyGel said:
If you'd put someone unfamiliar with the Freelander in mine and he reversed it on lock, he probably wouldn't have felt anything different to a 'normal' car. The VCU had was doing its job though cos it tore my IRD to bits when running with a low pressure tyre!

well that is what I believe that if there no resistance then it is ok but when there is then there is a problem .I have tried mine today going backwards and I did it in both directions (left hand down then right) and no resistance at all.

Gaj1612 · Jan 29, 2015

I have resistance in mine both directions if I dip the clutch it will stop the car as if the brakes are on. The vibration is only there when in gear and is very loud

GrumpyGel · Jan 29, 2015

I presume you are running identical tyres, check they're all pumped to the same pressure and do the 1 wheel up test.

Gaj1612 · Jan 29, 2015

Yes identical tires all set at the same pressure. I haven't had chance to do the one wheel up test today will try and get it done tomorrow

Gaj1612 · Jan 30, 2015

Ok Ive spoke to bell engineering about the vcu I had off them and they said that they don't think it's doing any damage as it is and to pop it up in 2 weeks for them to have a look. In the meantime I'll try and find where the vibration is coming from

Grayo · Jan 30, 2015

Gaj1612 said:
Ok Ive spoke to bell engineering about the vcu I had off them and they said that they don't think it's doing any damage as it is and to pop it up in 2 weeks for them to have a look. In the meantime I'll try and find where the vibration is coming from

Did you change the bearings when you replaced the VCU. I've had two occasions when I had a bad vibration in the past. The first was when I put cheap tyres on the back, it made a lot of road noise and vibrated. the second time was when I had a bearing on the prop shaft on the way out. Changed the tyres to Pirelli Scorpion STR's and changed both bearings and re fitted with the GKN bearings everything has been fine since.

teddywood1 · Jan 30, 2015

Bell engineering get on here and the are a good bunch if they read this though can they tell me if no resistance on the vcu when doing a backwards circle is ok or not. I can not remember (old age)

Gaj1612 · Jan 30, 2015

Spoke to them this.morning Said some resistance is normal. Very helpful and cant fault them. I have now changed the front and rear prop shafts as the front sounded like something was loose inside

Hippo · Jan 31, 2015

There will always be some resistance across the vcu. Try turning it by hand when it's on it's own. Then try turning it with pipe grips.

The one wheel up test is proof of the above.

There will always be some resistance when turning/reversing. Reason for feeling it more in reverse is most don't use much power to reverse so the effects are felt more. Also turning circle effects it more going backwards due to fronts lagging.

Gaj1612 · Jan 31, 2015

Hippo said:
There will always be some resistance across the vcu. Try turning it by hand when it's on it's own. Then try turning it with pipe grips.

The one wheel up test is proof of the above.

There will always be some resistance when turning/reversing. Reason for feeling it more in reverse is most don't use much power to reverse so the effects are felt more. Also turning circle effects it more going backwards due to fronts lagging.

vcu seems fine now think it was just because i was used to driving it in mondo.

the only problem now is the vibration. it shakes the whole car.
so far i have replaced:
all three diff mounts.
vcu and bearings
and replaced front and rear prop with good condition ujs.

yesterday i took off the rear prop and drove it with just the front connected as the noise was traveling, with the rear prop isconnected the noise was still there. i then replaced the front prop for the one thats fitted now and then fitted the new rear prop. the noise is still there so im thinking its something to do with ird or gear box. could it be a worn mount or something similar? there is no whining from the box just the vibration, its there when traveling both forwards and backwards and dissappears after about 1500-2000rpm. it seem worse when turning.

im starting to pull my hair out with this now and also being limited as to what i can do on the floor as the weather is bad. if any one can help i would be very greatful. thanks

Grayo · Jan 31, 2015

Gaj1612 said:
vcu seems fine now think it was just because i was used to driving it in mondo.

the only problem now is the vibration. it shakes the whole car.
so far i have replaced:
all three diff mounts.
vcu and bearings
and replaced front and rear prop with good condition ujs.

yesterday i took off the rear prop and drove it with just the front connected as the noise was traveling, with the rear prop isconnected the noise was still there. i then replaced the front prop for the one thats fitted now and then fitted the new rear prop. the noise is still there so im thinking its something to do with ird or gear box. could it be a worn mount or something similar? there is no whining from the box just the vibration, its there when traveling both forwards and backwards and dissappears after about 1500-2000rpm. it seem worse when turning.

im starting to pull my hair out with this now and also being limited as to what i can do on the floor as the weather is bad. if any one can help i would be very greatful. thanks

What tyres you running on ???

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