Fred > <snip> my syncros clanging/lurching occurs most > noticeably when using reverse after a long highway drive, but is also > present in first gear when pulling out. <snip> We found that after a long trip, the Viscous Coupling tended to lock up more quickly than it did on short trips. We concluded that it was heating up because of different loads from the front and back wheels. This binding was causing our van to clang and lurch like yours. We changed a number of things: new tires on all four; adjusted the tire pressure to 43 psi front and 50 psi rear; replaced the differential oil to synthetic to Amsoil (SAE 80W-90 SYNTHETIC GEARLUBE GL-4) in front differential and rear transaxle; cleaned and repacked the CV joints front and rear. We can't tell for certain which in particular cured this binding problem but it is 100% gone now. Hope this helps, Larry '86 Syncro Westfalia |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.