Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 20:06:10 -0800
Reply-To: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject: Re: Syncro Alignment & Vibrations
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
A word of caution re syncro alignments. I had my syncro westy aligned
to Derek's specs at a BMW dealer (at no charge, for reasons not relevant
here...). The operator was smart and knowledgable. The machine was
nearly new. After they were done, i drove it and it did not feel right,
so I took it back. They put it back up on the rack and checked
everything...made a minor adjustment to a rear wheel...and printed out
the report for me...it was aligned to Derek's specs. It still did not
handle right. I took it to the vw/porshe dealer and had them aloign it
to current vw specs( ...which i believe may be different than the vw
specs current at the time of Derek's post). They changed the settings
on 3 of the 4 wheels to get it to vw specs. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. The
van handled great.
I do not know why Derek's specs did not work on my syncro westy (I
checked the second time I went back to BMW to make sure I had the right
numbers printed out). Perhaps it's because he has larger tires and a
slightly elevated rear suspension. Maybe the operator got it wrong.
But at up to $180 for a four wheel front end alignemnt done properly,
having the wrong specs. can be expensive. Does anyone know what is
going on here?
Similar to Malcom's problem, I also have a bit of a shudder or what
feels like shaking in the rear of my van. It feels like something in
the rear is fluttering or slightly shaking, but the motor mounts seem
ok...not a lot of movement. It occurs under different
circumstances...sometimes at between 2000 and 2600 rpms while under low
to moderate throttle at low to moderate speeds...other times it happens
when coasting over slightly bumpy road at low speeds...and sometimes at
highway speeds depending on the road surface (not smooth), rpm
(moderate....2000-2800) and incline (slight to moderate hills).
Engaging the clutch does not stop whatever is causing it from causing
it.
Two weeks ago I traveled about 150 miles on rough washboard dirt
road...at slow, non-abusive speeds...but everything got a good shaking.
Given this and the symptoms, it seems like it could be motor mounts.
Kyle thinks it may be u-joints...but he needs to drive it, of course,
before he can validate that opinion. I already tried having the wheels
balanced...and no difference. Can anyone venture a
guess...U-joints...motor mounts....bushings somewhere...shocks (i have
KYB gas shocks close to 3 years old....35,000 miles) It seems
different from what Malcolm is experiencing.
thanks for any clues...tips...guesses...potions or cures.
steve
.
Malcolm Stebbins wrote:
> Re: my 91 Syncro Westie:
>
> I wrote:
> >Also at 110 kph (65 ish mph) there is
> > a small vibration (like tires slightly out of balance, or a bit of a
>
> > washboard road) but the vibration disappears if I back off the
> >throttle a hair,
>
> Sam Scholten wrote:
> >>That just sounds like the van needs a front-end alignment, nothing
> more. Out of
> >>balance tires wobble or shimmy at any speed. Buffeting at 65 but
> smoothing out
> >>when you back off the accelerator is a classic case of a bad
> alignment.
>
> I had the wheels aligned (and balanced) at one of the Speedy Muffler
> type places, they had the specs for a 91 syncro. I watched them do
> the
> work The specs called for the front to be toed out just a bit.
>
> Before I took it in to get it aligned I tried to check out what was
> posted on the web. On some web page someplace (I forget where) ,
> there
> was a hot link to "Syncro Alignment" but every time I clicked on it,
> it
> came up "no data in file" - or some such.
>
> Can anyone confirm Sam Scholten's observation (no offence Sam)??
> Any hints/tips for alignments for Syncros (or a web page?)
>
> Thanks Malcolm Stebbins
>
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