Avocet1 said:

Hi All, Just before donating my FL1 to my dad, I serviced it and did another 1-wheel-up test. Last time I did it, I got 50 seconds with 5kg on the 4' bar. This time, I couldn't get it under 1 min and 5 seconds. This is consistent with the drag on full lock. It's not got to the point where the tyres are slipping yet, but it is getting worse...

The old git doesn't like the all-terrain tyres I've got on it (they were pretty noisy, it's true!) so he's put the road ones back on, - all of which sealed poorly on the rims (which is why I got the other tyres already on some better rims). He SAYS he'll check the tyre pressures "religiously" but I have my doubts! I therefore think I probably ought to change the VCU sooner rather than later.

When I change the VCU bearings last year, I had a good look at it. My sister bought a (no-name "reconditioned" VCU) about 4 or 5 years ago. The car has probably only done 20,000 miles on it.

My questions:

(a) How can I tell if it's a proper GKN one?

(b) Did anyone other than GKN make VCUs? I couldn't find any markings on it anywhere (although I didn't take the damper off to check that face of it). I'm just wondering if it was some dodgy knock-off copy of a GKN one and don't really want to fork out the postage only to be told it can't e reconditioned!

(c) If it IS a genuine GKN item, can a VCU be reconditioned more than once?

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