Date:         Tue, 24 Apr 2001 12:09:21 -0400
Reply-To:     "Samuel L. Walters" <slwalters@earthlink.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Samuel L. Walters" <slwalters@earthlink.net>
Subject:      Front differential rubber bushing part needed
Comments: To: Syncro Mailing List <Syncro@yahoogroups.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Syncronauts, Volks, and list vendors,

I replaced by Syncro's VC Sunday and Monday. It has made a phenomenal
improvement in how it drives.  Will report in more detail in a few days
after more driving, etc.

But I found one part that I need to replace.  This is the bolt and
sleeves that are at the center of the one of the two rubber bushings
that damped shock between the frame and the support arm across the rear
end of the front differential (the part that houses the VC).  The two
sleeves that fit into the rubber bushings have rusted to one another and
to the bolt that goes through them.  I reinstalled the bumpers with this
bolt, it was a PITA, but these parts are shot and need to be replaced.
It would be easier to replace the whole unit but cheaper to replace the
bolt and the sleeves.

Anybody out there got this part new or used (with no rust)?
Don't have an EKTA CD, if anyone wants to find the number and pass that
on to me, I would appreciate that to.

This task was very time consuming as I did it by myself except for a
small, but significant, amount of help from my 12 year old.  I did it
from under the car not removing the front differential.  It would take a
lot less time for a second time.  This one rusty bolt alone added at
least two hours to the project.

But if your Syncro makes funny noises in tight turns in parking lots,
etc., it is probably a worn VC and you are stressing your tranny.  A new
VC will solve that and it is not a hi tech job, long and difficult but
mainly due to the fact that you are loosening a bunch of bolts that
haven't been touched in 9 or more years and the difficulty of figuring
out how to get the socket or the wrench to the nuts and bolts.  I think
I could do a second one in half the time this one took.

Don't trash you transaxle, get a new VC.

Sam Walters
84 Vanagon, 174k original owner
89 Syncro GL, 179k, new to me 12/00