kurrewa Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Hi, I'm going to look at a (manual) 2003 Freelander TD4 tomorrow with 120,000 Km on the clock with a view to buying it. I have heard much about checking whether the VCU needs replacing or not (around 70,000 miles / 120,000 Kms), and there seems to be many different ideas floating about. Could anybody point me in the right direction as to what is the best way to check this out by driving it? I don't think I can get access to a ramp to look underneath properly. Are there also anything other things I should look out for? Any advice would be very much appreciated. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_roberts Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Before doing anything, have a look underneath to make sure the propshaft is actually there! The easiest way to check the vcu is to find a nice quiet corner of a car park, engage first gear, put the steering on full lock, and pull away gently. If the vcu is working normally, it will feel as if the handbrake is dragging, but nothing worse than that. If the vcu is on its way out, you will feel one of the back wheels lock up and it will hop skip and jump as you try and turn the circle. You may also get clonking noises from the rear diff, which would indicate that the rubber mountings need replacing. Very easy job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 There are loads of "I'm buying one, what do I look for?" threads, have a read back. There's also loads of "How do I check a VCU?" threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl4953 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Buy mine its an 03 td4 84k on the clock lots of extra's £3250 ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G4FUJ Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 There are loads of "I'm buying one, what do I look for?" threads, have a read back. There's also loads of "How do I check a VCU?" threads. Also, have a look at Bell Engineering's web site under the "Symptoms" tab. there is excellent description of all you need to know: http://www.bellengineering.co.uk/5.html Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Bell's site is a little misleading, clonking from the rear is usually the diff bush, cheap & easy to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G4FUJ Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Yes, good point. Maybe they are just trying to prepare customers for the possibility of a more expensive repair... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copey Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Nice find G4, sussed the VCU bit, but what does IRD stand for, getting confused with all these abbreviations well at my age what do you expect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G4FUJ Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 "intermediate reduction drive" If you like this is the Freelander equivalent of the Defender etc. transfer box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copey Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Bless you my son.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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