IRD in the tropics?

[Pinelli]

Hi all, just visiting from Disco land, and considering a Freelander for my wife.
Had a comment from a friend saying they're no good in the tropics (I'm in N Qld) saying that basically in summer the tarmac heats up the IRD enough to lock it during normal driving. Now, this doesn't sound right to me. Is there any truth to this, or is it possible his Freelander's IRD is on the way out?

[101RRS]

Never heard that or had that problem and in summer Canberra is a hell of a lot hotter than the Whitsundays (a lot colder in winter as well).

The IRD is just a combined transfer case/diff so outside temps are not an issue.

PS - the IRD cannot lock unless it is broken - I assume you are talking about the Viscous Unit (VCU) - again I have not heard of heat affecting it - the fluid thickens as a result of shear forces placed on it - not heat like the Viscous Coupling in a cooling fan where the fluid thickens as it gets hot.

Garry

[woko]

if it locks up there is something wrong with it.

[Pinelli]

Cheers guys. That's what I was thinking. Might be seeing a new Land Rover in the garage before long :)