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Date:         Thu, 03 Apr 1997 22:11:40 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         rob wilke <wilpho@mcn.net>
Subject:      Bad Bad Bad Vibrations

I'm wondering if I should have bought a new drive shaft??? Since having a terrible shudder as I came to a stop last fall....I took out my driveshaft and found a u-joint frozen in one direction . After much checking around I thought I'd risk it and simply replace the u- joints.Here's what I've done Replaced the U joints. Local machine shop ( there are no driveline shops in this part of Montana) did the work and to my surprise had already done a few. They Put in Heirsherschmidt or something like that, but they did the clips wrong and and so after driving not too long I'd say 50 miles or so the vibration thing started happening again.HmmmmIt got slowly worse , but seeing as the wife was driving it only 10 miles a day I let it slide. Then we took it on a trip about 130miles to Billings, Montana Yikes what a nasty vibration from 40 65mph! So I had the dealer in Billings, Dana Motors take the shaft out( only $20) These guys are great for a Dealer..As we drove back I swear I could still detect a vibration, not as bad by any means but still a vibration. When I got back I took the driveshaft to The local machine shop, Thats when they discovered the bad instalation of clips and a need for rebalancing(new clips). No charge...heh! So before I install the refixed shaft I wuold like to track down the other vibration..OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS............. The other vibration , the one without the shaft installed, is most noticible upon deceleration. I wonder I if may have damaged transmission bearings????Is this possible and how would one test for it?? This vibration is rather subtle but it's there.. Any other syncro owners had bad vibrations????Wife says just put the damn shaft back in and run it till it breaks.....No pun intended. Do wheel bearings ever cause sublte yet annoying vibrations, how could I test them..? One thing the local Machine shop talked about in regards to the shaft causing vibrations is the shaft that fits in the shaft. I've not seen any mention of this on any posts... On the end of the shaft that has the hard rubber bushing is a shaft that goes inside the main shaft it has two Bearings or Guides? that occasionally dry out or become damaged otherwise this can also be a source of bad vibrations. I have'nt torn it down that far....yet. Anybody had experience with this part of the shaft?? Any and all info is appreciated. thanks!!

Rob Wilke 87 Syncro 77 & 78 Saab 49 Chevy Deluxe Cab Pickup 10 Samson Truck


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