Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001 09:56:02 -0800
Reply-To: Joe Pallen <jrpallen@MOSCOW.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joe Pallen <jrpallen@MOSCOW.COM>
Subject: Many thanks (tried not to make to long!)
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I am new to the list and would like to introduce myself and say thanks.
My name is Joe Pallen and I live in Moscow Idaho and owner of 1987
Syncro. I have owned my syncro since 88' and since then
we've had quite a bit of fun and a little neglect (or is it just old
age?). After a month and a half of sitting in a friends garage I just
got it back out on the road yesterday feeling like I have a new car.
Much of that I owe to this list, its archive and others.
In October my transmission got stuck in 3rd gear and from there -through
this list (thanks to Matthew Pollard who introduced me to this list and
was more than a great help throughout this process) and
vanagon.com- I learned much about driveline problems. The tranny was
sent to Daryl at AAtransaxle in Seattle were it was repaired and I also
had the larger 4th installed. I drove out in the country
yesterday and though it is maybe to early to tell, I do think I will
like the larger 4th. Mostly I noticed a quieter and more stable ride at
higher speeds. I would highly recommend Daryl for any
transmission work, he was very helpful throughout the process and the
transmission was completed in a very timely manner.
We also replaced the VC, the hard part about this process was getting
the front diff. housing apart! Otherwise it was one of the easiest
parts of the process. (Eric- before the VC was replace I did
experience severe wear on the outer edges of my front tires and am going
to keep an close eye on them now that I have the new VC) Yesterday
morning on our first trip out we had more than a few inches of snow and
its nice to feel the VC kick in. I haven't done a VC test yet, but will
next weekend. I can say that there is quite a difference in feel. I do
get a little grab went turning tight turns but very little. A great
improvement over the old VC. I want to thank Derek for his help in
understanding and purchasing a VC.
I still have issues with drive line vibration, starts and most extreme
at 37 to 40 MPH and goes away at 55 - 60 mph. It does not seem as bad as
it was before the tranny rebuild. The u-joints were replaced this
summer. My plan is to replace the flex disc and having the driveline
balanced, but this will have to wait until the spring thaw.
If anyone has any specific questions about this process I, and I am sure
Matt would, be happy to try and answer them.
Other things this list and its archives have helped me fix: My sliding
door no longer pops open -loose bracket, My rear heater works and my
kids like me again:-) -rear heater core was leaking, Repaired my
odometer -for now any ways!, replaced my rear carpet with a remnant that
cost 30 bucks (used the old carpet as a template -it really looks
nice. And my favorite of all, I now of a 24 hour clock! yee haw!
There is more and I am sure it is far from over :-)
This list is a great resource and I look forward to staying on. Also, I
am sure my van will appreciate it the attention it will get!
Thanks to others that I may not have mentioned but helped out when
communicating with Matt.
--Joe