Disappointed you didn't explicitly mention the greatest engineering gaffe (that's nicespeak for f****p) of all (on rethink, second greatest gaffe, -- after the K series motors) -- the dear old VCU -- the root (and I mean that in the nicest possible way) of about half of the problems on your list...

Seems very unprofessional by the MOT and the garage chaps to mark something as "dangerous" , not describe it properly ("bushes" rather than "brushes" ??)then go home for the day, leaving you to wonder and worry! Thankfully we dont have MOT (yet) in Australia. If it is in fact diff bushes its...

mad hat Man, Just took the time to read all of the posts on your enquiry to the engineering site. I had originally only read the post included by you, but having read the rest of the thread I am more than somewhat bemused. As a professional Chemical Engineer,(with a bit of mechanical aptitude)...

had a look back at Landrovernet.com forum and found the thread-- george k from Greece quotes the new IRD part no as TAG000230 i also asked questions about finding out which IRD one had --external markings, actual ratio of front wheels/IRD output pinion to rear prop shaft etc etc but didnt really...

Hi Mad Hat Man, All good points again! my responses__ Thought about retaining the VCU as you describe, may even try that if the prototype has some problems. Main concern here is space and difficulty of "shoe-horning" something into the space between the IRD and VCU with some rather more serious...

Appreciate your thoughts and concerns (the good thing about forums is that all sorts of perspectives can be kicked around quickly all for the ultimate good) One comment on the diff windup not being addressed--- The "slip" between the front and rear diffs is actually "only" 0.8% ie 80cm in 100...

Thanks for the interest. Regarding clearance/space to fit in transmission tunnel, the unit itself is only about 4inches diam and by definition the same length spline tip to spline tip as the VCU/harmonic balancer -- no probs there!! The interesting bit is attachment and alignment of the...

Hi All, Just a comment, ---the aim of the VCU replacement with a selectable 4WD system is simply to eliminate the early Freelander problem of drive train failure caused by a siezed VCU, and still give a modicum of off road performance. The facility of fancy torque proportioning under a variety...

Piccies of the bits for the VCU replacement attached (hopefully) Cheers Ian Hughes tassie

Is that Jetstar or Virgin Blue Cheers Ian Hughes

How far are you from Derby(silly question really -- nowhere in UK is really THAT far from Derby!! ). Son works with RR aerospace there and we get over every couple of years. Due again 07/08 sometime Cheers Ian Hughes PS Real beer -- not that flat warm sweet stuff Also we call em cans. --- a...

No probs. When I get the thing in and actually working will be only to happy to share some more details. In the meantime I'll see if I can get some meaningful pics. If it all works out and you feel in any way beholden to me, you can buy me a beer next time I'm in UK !! (or you're in Tassie!!)...

if you mean the post two or three earlier mentioning Audis and fuel economy etc then the answer is from my perspective tha that post is irrelevant. -- musings from someone without a Freelander??? The driving reason for replacement of the VCU on early model Freelanders is not fuel economy but...

A handbrake interlok is a nice idea -- Until I actually fit and test the unit I intend keeping it simple. If the car is driving at say 10kph (no wheel slip), the rotational difference between front and rear prop shafts as seen at the coupling is only around 3rpm (much less on later models) so...

Hi Mad hat man, The components are over at the engineering shop ready for assembly. I'll take a few pics and see if I can post them. In essence the unit I am getting made simply replaces the VCU/harmonic damper. I'm using the male splines off my old vcu unit so that it simply fits into the...

After drawing blanks on LR forums all over the world, I have decided to replace my siezed VCU with a switchable unit of my own concoction. The unit simply splines into each end of the tail (sorry Prop!!) shafts in place of the VCU/Harmonic damper assembly. It consists of a yoke driven sleeve...