Date:         Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:42:47 -0500
Reply-To:     Walter Houle <whoule@ECSCONTROLS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Walter Houle <whoule@ECSCONTROLS.COM>
Subject:      Transmission Noise ?

Folks -

I never thought I'd do a "what's that noise" post, but here goes. My van
started making a new noise. Its a steady droning, almost as loud as the
motor, and it only occurs at 30 mph and higher. The noise appears to be
independant of the engine and the transmission. Pushing in the clutch,
coasting in neutral, and even coasting with the motor off do not have any
effect on it.

I'm hoping its tires or wheel bearings. However, the tires are about a
year old Michelin LTX M/S with approx 3,000 miles, and they never made any
noise previously. The van was treated to new CVs and wheel bearings about
500 miles ago, and the rear brakes were adjusted. I put it on stands and
spun each of the wheels by hand, plus under drive. Didn't feel or hear
anything unusual, just a light drag of the brake on each wheel. The tires
also looked fine and true. The transmission, however, is original, with
210,000 miles and no service whatsoever except for some very infrequent
oil changes.

Any ideas what I'm hearing? It really sounds like a bearing going bad, but
the fact that it happens when coasting makes me wonder. What bearings are
involved with just the driveshafts turning?

Thanks,
Walter - 85 Vanagon 1.9 Manual Transmission