Date:         Fri, 16 Aug 2013 09:24:13 -0600
Reply-To:     Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 930 drive axles
In-Reply-To:  <BAY404-EAS4453BC6D8F16986DCC5C6BA0470@phx.gbl>
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On Aug 16, 2013, at 6:56 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

You are so right. I'll take a broken axle or CV joint any day.

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Re: 930 drive axles

      You do know when you put those on your transmission you just end up breaking something more expensive inside .
      I've seen things broken worse than just a busted CV .

So far, none of this has been part of my experience. What has been fact and true is that the axles have allowed me to
have a van that has lift that OE axles would not allow, and that has allowed me to drive on roads, in conditions that
require the clearance my van now has.

My opinion, based on my own experiences and that of observing many others out in the real world, is that HOW people
drive is THE factor that makes the difference between breaking things vs not breaking things. So, at least in my case,
it's not about the axles/CV's being so much more robust, as their design allows for van lift/axles angles that then
allow me to drive in conditions I could not otherwise.

My experience ALSO says that it is not offroading with either 944 or 930 axles that seems to have bearing on wear,
as drivng at highways speeds, over long periods of time, that create heat in the transaxle that makes the case
maleable enough that the bearings begin to move laterally in the case, violating fine tolerances and wearing out
transaxles "before their time". VW found this to be true (according to documents they wrote in the late 40's, ealry 50's
and found by some of us "volks" whom were allowd into the VW archives), and thus the VW engineers were working
on solutions for that. Which has been developed in Europe, which is an aluminum case.

It is engine power that creates that capability to cruise at above 70 MPH for hours on end that creates this heat
condition, not axles. The development of improved lubes has ameliarated this to some extent, but the recent
flush of adding transaxle coolers and/or pumps that dump lube over 3rd/4th gear in the case that seems to have
helped most.

bob
'87 Syncro Westy....not a 2WD automatic w/2.1