Date:         Tue, 21 Apr 1998 16:57:53 -0400
Reply-To:     Tyrone & Marilyn Greene <macpine@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Tyrone & Marilyn Greene <macpine@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: 90 Westy synchro front wheel  noise
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Comments: cc: Joanna Rutter <cato@MIND.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Joanna Rutter wrote:
>
> My  90 Westfalia synchro has a loud banging noise when driving, timed to
> the wheel revolutions. It is in the vicinity of the right front wheel.
> Sounds like a loose chain banging on underside of fender. It is not the
> wheel itself. Has done it with two different wheels. Worse going uphill,
> and stops when the clutch is in. Getting worse. Starts after driving
> awhile. Heat related?? Must drive 300 miles to nearest reputable dealer.
> Any ideas what it could be?

Just so happends my wifes 87 Syncro was experiancing similar indications
just recently. What I found it to be was the front right outer CV joint.
That was the good news. Also the good news is that there are only two of
these gems used in the Syncro and all the other six CV's are the same
realitivly inexpensive CV. The bad news is the cost of those two CV
joints. But the good news is that to repair it is farely easy. The bad
news is that it's messy!

That would also be a good time to check your ball joints and wheel
bearings. I would check with the parts venders on the list, because 10
out 9 that's where you'll get the best parts prices.

Tyrone
Big Pine Key, FL
87 Van. GL Syncro
85 Van.
81 Van. L
87 VW Fox wgn