Date:         Sun, 4 Oct 1998 04:09:17 EDT
Reply-To:     Jwilli941@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Todd Hill <Jwilli941@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Randloph Feuerriegel's Syncro Vibration question-reply
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Randolph wrote....

<<  I have a question about the tranny on my syncro.
 Has anyone had a failure or excessive wear of the
pinion shaft. I'm getting a few clunks from the rear
when shifting. >>

I've seen my share of wasted ring and pinion sets
in the Syncros to the point of figuring on replacing
them even before I crack open the gearbox.  Some
times I get lucky and I don't have to replace the set
but more often than not I do.   The clunking noise
you're hearing is probably not related to a worn R/P
set and more to someother driveline failure.  When
R/P set fail they then to become noisy with a loud
howl type wail most likely.  Clunks when shifting can
be a bad CV, diff bearing failure, gear missing a tooth
or two...... and so on.   If you do have the gearbox
opened up to replace a bad part you should also
plan on replacing the ring and pinion as well.   This
is one of several reasons why the 094 gearboxes are
about $1800 to overhaul.

<<I am also experiencing a vibration especially when
decelerating or under load from about 2500 to 1500 RPM....>

Had the tires rotated lately?  They are all machine spun
balanced?  All in good condition?? Tie rods in good
condition?  VC not going south on you??  Motor/trans
mounts all good and not soft?   From your description
of what and when it happens I don't think that this
vibration is transaxle related but somewhere in the
driveline/suspension.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Todd Hill
VolksWerks Transaxles
Olympia, WA