So just did a very rudimentary OWUT.
Had to do it on a wheel nut - realised once it was in the air that the 32mm socket I thought I had was indeed a 37!
Used 1.2 mtr and 5 Kgs - got around 70 seconds for 45 degrees, from 1.30 to 3. It was a steady movement.
It’s fairly cold out at mo, ambient is around 5 degrees.

I’ve no reason to suspect it - it reverses on full locks just engaging R on tick over.

What’s the verdict, Doc? (Anyone!)
 
It generally wouldn't be warm if the front and rear axles are generally turning at the same speed, but it would potentially get warmer if there were a lot of corners (but I doubt these silicone devices ever really get that hot!)
 
It generally wouldn't be warm if the front and rear axles are generally turning at the same speed, but it would potentially get warmer if there were a lot of corners (but I doubt these silicone devices ever really get that hot!)
Ah ok - I read somewhere that it was another indicator of them being fudged and ready to let their smoke out (if the were very hot to the touch)
 
Just adding mine to the list

140k 2006 td4 Freelander 1. Refurbished IRD and VCU from freelanderspecialists.com 8 months ago, in that time its done under 700 miles with the prop on. All new same tread tyres. (not that it matters for this test) Its around 2*C out, it was driven 30 miles about 2 hours ago.

1.2m length, 5kg, 45* to flat , 3 Tests done, 35, 32, 33 seconds.

As you would expect (i think) for a refurbed VCU. :)
 
Just adding mine to the list

140k 2006 td4 Freelander 1. Refurbished IRD and VCU from freelanderspecialists.com 8 months ago, in that time its done under 700 miles with the prop on. All new same tread tyres. (not that it matters for this test) Its around 2*C out, it was driven 30 miles about 2 hours ago.

1.2m length, 5kg, 45* to flat , 3 Tests done, 35, 32, 33 seconds.

As you would expect (i think) for a refurbed VCU. :)
Good to know - something to compare against.
Might have to raid the piggy bank …. Again!
 
Ah ok - I read somewhere that it was another indicator of them being fudged and ready to let their smoke out (if the were very hot to the touch)
It is. It will be warm to touch when working. Go for a drive round in circles to see if it warms up.
 
The trouble is, all the ‘not knowing for sure’ with these CVUs, especially on a vehicle whose history I have not a clue about, rings the worry bell for me.
Think I’m simply going to cover my ar$e - I’ve booked for a recon unit to be fitted in 2 weeks at a well-known Freelander place up in Norfolk. They’ll also have a quick ‘once over’ for me, so fair enough.
 
The trouble is, all the ‘not knowing for sure’ with these CVUs, especially on a vehicle whose history I have not a clue about, rings the worry bell for me.
Think I’m simply going to cover my ar$e - I’ve booked for a recon unit to be fitted in 2 weeks at a well-known Freelander place up in Norfolk. They’ll also have a quick ‘once over’ for me, so fair enough.
TBH, nobody ever really knows the full history of a car.

Even if its had every service stamp at the specified intervals, the only thing you can be sure of is that its had correct oil and filter changes. You don't know, for example, whether its had mismatched tyres in the past or what ever.

You can only ever go by whats in front of you.

Your timings are definitely on the side of caution, especially as you took the measurements on a 1.2m bar from a wheel nut rather than the center of the wheel... it will have a bit more leverage and would therefore turn it quicker. Not much, but might knock your times up to 75 seconds from the center when comparing to other tests.

Should add that probably no tests are 'exactly' 1.2m or 'exactly' 5kg, and the bars may be different weights etc - so nothing is that precise.

I'd also say do the tests a number of times, and take the timings from the later ones - especially if the VCU has been sitting for a while (ie car not used).
 
TBH, nobody ever really knows the full history of a car.

Even if its had every service stamp at the specified intervals, the only thing you can be sure of is that its had correct oil and filter changes. You don't know, for example, whether its had mismatched tyres in the past or what ever.

You can only ever go by whats in front of you.

Your timings are definitely on the side of caution, especially as you took the measurements on a 1.2m bar from a wheel nut rather than the center of the wheel... it will have a bit more leverage and would therefore turn it quicker. Not much, but might knock your times up to 75 seconds from the center when comparing to other tests.

Should add that probably no tests are 'exactly' 1.2m or 'exactly' 5kg, and the bars may be different weights etc - so nothing is that precise.

I'd also say do the tests a number of times, and take the timings from the later ones - especially if the VCU has been sitting for a while (ie car not used).

Cheers for the insight Grumpy - I’m with you.
Happy to say I took Freddie to a Specialist last week for a ‘once over’ and a booked recon VCU. They found slight play in one driveshaft, so had a new pair on the front, along with some nice new gearbox oil, and said VCU, and also a couple of various bushes.
Aside from that, Freddie was declared a fairly fit example - mist leak on the rocker cover gasket (long job apparently - advised to just keep an eye on it, no worry) and an ever so slight leak on turbo pipe - again, not to worry about.

Well pleased. Have now spent more on fixing him up than he actually cost, but he is good for some time now, and ready to have fun in. :D
 
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1.5 meter alloy tube and 4.5 kilos.
After 9 tests it was 17 seconds .with not much difference from the first to the last one
Bit cold at 5 degrees.
 
Hello Freelander owners, here is my result with diy recon VCU, filled with 140-150ml / 80.000 cSt fluid.

Test with 100cm / 5kg at hub (45 deg time).

1. Seized: can't move with 5kg.

2. Freshly sealed and installed on car but never driven:
-exceeded 60 seconds with jerky movement.

3. Short drive on asphalt and then few off-road slippery pulls:
-15 seconds :)

With this 80K fluid there is pretty much no difference between prop-on/off while driving on full-lock/reverse parking.
Proper offroad test will be done soon, for now i know that the rear wheels spins and TC kicks in.
 
Hello Freelander owners, here is my result with diy recon VCU, filled with 140-150ml / 80.000 cSt fluid.

Test with 100cm / 5kg at hub (45 deg time).

1. Seized: can't move with 5kg.

2. Freshly sealed and installed on car but never driven:
-exceeded 60 seconds with jerky movement.

3. Short drive on asphalt and then few off-road slippery pulls:
-15 seconds :)

With this 80K fluid there is pretty much no difference between prop-on/off while driving on full-lock/reverse parking.
Proper offroad test will be done soon, for now i know that the rear wheels spins and TC kicks in.
Well done completing the refurb, from these figures it looks like the drive to the rear wheels will be somewhat less than factory but unless you plan to use it for off roading it should be perfectly adequate. If you see the rears spinning when in mud or snow then they are doing their job.
 
Well done completing the refurb, from these figures it looks like the drive to the rear wheels will be somewhat less than factory but unless you plan to use it for off roading it should be perfectly adequate.

I was worried that it will be too weak, but after proper offroad test... Drive is amazing and the car is unstoppable. I've put 4 new tires, 29" BFG All-terrains and the car is flying like crazy, must say it's better than sized/tight VCU with MT tires i had before.

There is no understeer or stupidly oversteer in deep snow, car is going always where the steering wheel is pointig, very predictable.

Rear wheels push hard on steep hills, TC kicks in very rarely at the back but when it does car is literally flying.

I would say for now: if you are using AT tires go for 80.000 cSt, if you're gonna use MT tires - go for 100.000 cSt.

Today it's -10*C outside so i'm not going to do OWU test but i've already done 200km road drive and about 50km offroad so i'm curious if the OWU time has changed. I'll be back very soon with OWU test at negative temps (before and after drive).
 
I was worried that it will be too weak, but after proper offroad test... Drive is amazing and the car is unstoppable. I've put 4 new tires, 29" BFG All-terrains and the car is flying like crazy, must say it's better than sized/tight VCU with MT tires i had before.

There is no understeer or stupidly oversteer in deep snow, car is going always where the steering wheel is pointig, very predictable.

Rear wheels push hard on steep hills, TC kicks in very rarely at the back but when it does car is literally flying.

I would say for now: if you are using AT tires go for 80.000 cSt, if you're gonna use MT tires - go for 100.000 cSt.

Today it's -10*C outside so i'm not going to do OWU test but i've already done 200km road drive and about 50km offroad so i'm curious if the OWU time has changed. I'll be back very soon with OWU test at negative temps (before and after drive).
It sounds similar to mine, I fitted AT tyres to a previous car and took it to an off road track but found the drive to the rear was insufficient to push me up inclines where the fronts had lost grip. It was great on the road though.

This is my EV conversion in 4WD with a similarly refurbed VCU

 

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