Date:         Fri, 12 Jul 2002 13:22:19 -0400
Reply-To:     Lawrence Johnson <larry_avery.johnson@SYMPATICO.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Lawrence Johnson <larry_avery.johnson@SYMPATICO.CA>
Subject:      Re: Towing a syncro and driving on missmatched tires
Comments: cc: Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Malcolm Stebbins wrote:

> While I agree with what BIll says, Taking the drive shaft out HELPS but does not
> compensate for left and right front tyres being of different diameter.

Sorry Malcolm but I disagree. The differential makes the rotation rate of the left side
independent of that of the right. If the differential transfers any resultant torque to the
VC, then it will just spin with no resistive force because the drive shaft is not there to
supply it.
If you don't believe me, take out the drive shaft, jack the van up at the front so that both
wheels are off of the ground. Now turn a wheel and see what happens. Now lower one side and
spin the other wheel and see what happens. Everything is free to rotate and no harm will be
done by towing the syncro on all four wheels with the drive shaft removed even if the tires
are of different sizes.
My $0.02
Larry