Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:59:53 -0400
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Fw: Drivetrain Diagnosis - Update
In-Reply-To: <1316186708.30882.YahooMailNeo@web39415.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Anthony,
First, it does not hurt a thing to run the van without the drive shaft
installed. It just doesn't allow your AWD to work, but you can run
forever on rear wheel and the front stuff is fine without the drive
shaft installed.
I started out trying to rebuild old syncro driveshafts. However the
problem is that not only do the U-joints go bad and cause vibration
problems but there is also a bronze bushing in the center of the drive
shaft that is under where the rubber flex disc is. If this bushing is
worn at all it will still allow the drive shaft to vibrate and not be
able to be balanced properly. That is why we have been installing and
selling the updated drive shaft for the syncro for about eight years
now. I have shipped these to Japan, Australia, etc. They make the bad
vibrations go away, and they don't have the bronze bushing problem
because the design is different than the old ones. If you ever have to
rebuild it in the future, the u-joints are much cheaper and more readily
available than the stock VW ones.
This is in our webstore under the part number syncrods1
Just let us know.
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242
On 9/16/2011 11:25 AM, Anthony Egeln wrote:
> Looks like the driveline u-joints are rusted and frozen up......
>
> The van runs great with the driveline removed.
>
> We have VW original u-joints on order, but I have two questions for the gurus on the list:
>
> 1 - Does it hurt anything to run the van for an extended period of time with the driveline removed? At least other than not having the 4WD?
>
> 2- Would it be better to replace then entire driveline rather than just the u-joints? There isn't a whole lot of price difference when our vendors sell "updated" drivelines for about $525. Which vendor drivelines do the gurus like?
>
> If it doesn't hurt anything, I may just wait, drive without the driveline, and save up for a new driveline.
>
> Thjanks a lot, Anthony
> '89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message -----
> From: Anthony Egeln<regnsuzanne@yahoo.com>
> To: Vanagon List Post<vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 3:57 PM
> Subject: Drivetrain Diagnosis Ideas Requested
>
>
> Greetings,
>
> Wife was driving the van home from work last night and said that when she got it into 4th gear on the highway, she couldn't get it to go over 2000 rpm and it "sounded weird".
>
> When I drove it I didn't get out of first gear, just over 10 MPH, before it sounded and felt like I had a flat tire....low rhythmic bumping, so I pulled it back into the driveway. I thought wheel bearings, but all four are rock solid when shaken. None of the CV boots look bad or have too much movement either, but I wouldn't rule out rear CVs since they haven't been replaced since I've owned it (about 100K miles). Less than 10K on front CVs.
>
> Might be my imagination, but it looks like the van is listing slightly to the passenger side.
>
> I hope it isn't the transmission. It's a Darryl (AA Trans) rebuild right at the 24 month mark.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks, Anthony
> '89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
>
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