Date:         Mon, 9 Feb 2009 11:58:05 -0800
Reply-To:     Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Quick Trip Report and Some Anomalies
Comments: To: Wetwesties <wetwesties@yahoogroups.com>, Syncro@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Took Blackbeard and the Wife-to-be up to Brian Head, UT this weekend, and am
happy to report that we all made it back in one piece!

Luckily the fantastic advice that I received last week regarding the
stripped wipers and splines came in handy!
It was POURING down rain most of the time we were on I-15, both to and from.
They only slipped down about 1/2" - and that's after probably about 4 hours'
total operating time, half of which was at the highest speed setting!

There were some other weird things though . . .

First was the road vibration.
I'd expect more than normal, given the new tires.
And I realize that this could be a moot point given that they're not the
correct load rating, but the vibration isn't the issue as much as the fact
that it was not consistent!

When tracking dead-ahead, or steering left through a curve the road
vibration was very loud.
However, when turning the wheel EVEN SLIGHTLY to the right, the vibration
was considerably diminished.
So the question (as far as I can tell) is whether or not conditions exist
that would cause the tires to wear irregularly, which would explain this
condition.


Second is the "clicking" sound that I heard going through the McDonald's
drive-thru, roughly an hour after embarking on the trip.
The problem is that I can not replicate the sound. Another inconsistency.
Thought it was due to the fact that I was right next to a wall, and the
sound was more audible due to bounce-back.
Not the case though. I've tried to make the sound occur in parking garages
and other places where it would be easy to hear, but no luck.

What I recall about the noise:
-"Click" rate did not seem to increase/decrease at a rate consistent with
faster/slower speed.
-SEEMED to be coming from the rear of the van.
I just had the axle replaced - possible that something wasn't put back
together correctly?

--
Drew, Las Vegas
'90 GL "Blackbeard"