TSR2
Active Member
A lot of us use a 5Kg weight as it's easy (a 5Ltr container full of water) and the 1.2M extension bar will do what you need.
I've got access to a gym with all manner of weights, but that does sound easier!
I've got access to a gym with all manner of weights, but that does sound easier!
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
TSR2
Active Member
lol, love the collapsing test equipment
Use a sturdier pole and a 5kg weight.
Hah. Yeah. Had to happen that time.
In its defence, that was the 6th time! I did a test with 5kg, same length which was 49secs but not filmed.
But, yes - I’ll use something stronger tomorrow.
Is there any validity in measuring the temperature of the VCU? I have a laser infrared thermometer which I could use after my 7-mile drive to work.
TSR2
Active Member
lol, love the collapsing test equipment
Use a sturdier pole and a 5kg weight.
Hah. Yeah. Had to happen that time!
In its defence, that was the 6th time! I did a test with 5kg, same length which was 49secs but not filmed.
But, yes - I’ll use something stronger tomorrow.
Is there any validity in measuring the temperature of the VCU? I have a laser infrared thermometer which I can use after the drive to work.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
I think a new/newly reconditioned one should return a time of 15 to 30 seconds, and you should be OK with any time up to 1 minute. Over 1 minute is the time to replace it.
So with a time of 49 seconds, I recon the advice is that "you are getting towards the time when you should consider replacement".
When the time comes, use a new GKN unit or a recon unit from a reputable supplier (such as Bell Engineering). It is probably wise to replace its support bearings at the same time, if for no other reason that it is very difficult to get them off to swap them over.
So with a time of 49 seconds, I recon the advice is that "you are getting towards the time when you should consider replacement".
When the time comes, use a new GKN unit or a recon unit from a reputable supplier (such as Bell Engineering). It is probably wise to replace its support bearings at the same time, if for no other reason that it is very difficult to get them off to swap them over.
TSR2
Active Member
My main hope is that it'd be okay until the start of December, November will be new tyres - then I was going to replace the VCU as I have no record of it being changed. Is there a consensus on here regarding going for new vs reconditioned? Both Bell and (for example these) offer a 12-month warrantee.
there were problems with a company of similar name (not Bell)
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
If the tyres are mismatched, I'd be very careful of them - to the point of removing the prop shafts till you replace them (you will need to tell your insurance company you are doing this).
I think your priorities are correct though - with a OWUT time of 49 seconds, you can afford to prioritise tyres and come back later to replace the VCU.
Freelander Specialists in Brandon are "good guys" - not heard anything bad about them. They look very competent and reliable.
TSR2
Active Member
Tyres are all the same make: the rear pair have even wear, the front pair is more worn but to the same amount each side - which is something I believe is to be expected. I'm also now doing weekly pressure checks. I don't think three letters in motoring have ever caused me this much worry as V C U has. I find it fascinating how 'fragile' the system seems in regards to tyres.
I'm going to get quotes from both Bell and Freelander Specialists and see how they compare; if they're relatively close I'll go for a new unit rather than recon.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
That's much to slow, if it's got mismatched tyres, as the VCU will be forced to tune, which is bad for the IRD.
If the tyres are identical with least worn on the rear, then 49 seconds is getting to the end of its working life, but shouldn't cause any damage, yet.
Not really as th VCU fluid is, or should be stable over the UK's temperature range.
TSR2
Active Member
The difference in wear between the two rears is around 0.9mm, measured over three readings per tyre. I think I've convinced myself to take the financial hit and do the tyres and VCU next month. Currently tossing up between the Michelin CrossClimate or the new GoodYear 4 Seasons Gen 2, either way they're around £140-160/tyre - 235/50/18 tyres don't leave you many options.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
That'd be my choice, or how about Latitude Cross?
That's why I changed to the 235/55/18 tyres have fitted, although I chose normal M/S rated tyres.
TSR2
Active Member
The Cross are around £40 cheaper a tyre and are about as well reviewed as the other. Do you use these?That'd be my choice, or how about Latitude Cross?
Must affect the speedo reading? An extra 50mm won't exactly hit the arches though, have you had any problems with that change? I know this is the wrong thread for tyre chat, but they pretty important for the VCU.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
No I I'm too tight to spend that sort of money on tyres, but would have if the budget allowed. I have Cooper Touring in 235/55/18 on mine. Good general grip and very long tyre life.
The speedo is now more accurate than it was. Basically when the speedo shows 70 Mph, the sat nav shows 69 Mph, which is very good.
They fit my FL1 (standard hight suspension) without any contact with the arches. There's a small bit of rubbing on the inner arch liner at full lock, but that's nothing of any consequence.
andyfreelandy
Well-Known Member
Tested VCU on the hard working daily user TD4's. Weather cold and about 5 degrees. Vehicles not used on day of test.
Mine had a Bell VCU at 90k miles, now done 156k miles and tested at 1.2m, 5Kg gave a reading of 18 seconds - VCU is now 5 years old.
Wife's had a home refurbished VCU (see other threads for how I did it) and this has covered 35k miles since fitting. Tested at 1.2m, 5Kg gave a reading of 10 seconds.
So hopefully all good - will be testing mine every 6 months as I have detected a faster 'near end of life' degradation from previous experience.
Will be refurbishing some more VCU's when time allows, I have been collecting them !
Mine had a Bell VCU at 90k miles, now done 156k miles and tested at 1.2m, 5Kg gave a reading of 18 seconds - VCU is now 5 years old.
Wife's had a home refurbished VCU (see other threads for how I did it) and this has covered 35k miles since fitting. Tested at 1.2m, 5Kg gave a reading of 10 seconds.
So hopefully all good - will be testing mine every 6 months as I have detected a faster 'near end of life' degradation from previous experience.
Will be refurbishing some more VCU's when time allows, I have been collecting them !
Bife
Active Member
Hi,
These times are for a bar of 1.2m, with a 5Kg weight from what I can see
Can someone tell me the starting and finishing angles please?
I am pretty sure that the finish is 90 degrees (three O´Clock)?
But what is the starting angle, please?
I would go through the thread but its up to 54 pages now!
Thanks
Hippo
Lord Hippo
See post 246 int link below:
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/vcu-torque-test-results.109486/page-13#post-2141449
OK - here's the easy way - hang your weight - usually 5 litres of water in a plastic container - on the end of your bar so that it touches the ground at the end of it's travel -at this point the bar is usually about horizontal - fold a piece of paper diagonally t make a 45 triangle - use this on the bar to line up and mark a chalk mark on the wing edge 45 degrees earlier - reset the bar to hang above that mark - let go and time from passing the chalk mark till it stops at the ground - Simples
