Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1998 23:25:45 -0500
Reply-To: EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Re: Syncro Driveshaft and Vibrations ARRRGH!
In-Reply-To: <l03010d01b26cffb3e24f@[206.248.75.162]>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Good chance it's the front diff.
Eric 86-VW4x4
vw4x4@fyi.net 72-240z
Pittsburgh, PA USA 1936-Chrysler
On Mon, 9 Nov 1998, Gary Thaxter wrote:
> I had to have my driveshaft rebuilt as well. The drive shaft place
> measured up my u-joints for size, and found a match. They are available
> everywhere now that I found out the number, NAPA, Canadian Tire, etc. The
> freaky thing was that the driveshaft place had them in stock and they were
> under 20 bucks each (canadian). I was a bit skeptical because nothing has
> ever been this easy for my van. . . sure enough I have shakes. I brought
> the shaft back and had them check it again for balance. They checked it
> again, but they said that it was well within tolerences. Are our shafts
> super sensitive to balance?
>
> All in all, parts, labour, balancing cost me $80 canadian. I figured that
> it was a worthwhile experiment even if it didn't work. I now have the
> shaft in again and I have bad shakes but at least not as bad as before it
> was rebuilt.
>
> I DID loosen the front diff and "align it longitudinally".
> I DID NOT index the shaft. Why would the shaft have to go back in exactly
> anyway? Are not all the components balanced independently anyway?? If
> this is that important, let me know because I will try every position until
> I get it right (should only be 16 positions right?)
>
> What other things can cause vibrations in the Syncro? What about
> vibrations and "harmonic type vibrations" that happen even with the
> driveshaft out? (not including tires) (it does the same with BFG ATs,
> Pirelli winter tires, uniroyal tiger paws, bridgestone somethings, I tried
> everything I had) (yes balanced)
>
> I am going to start a complete search of the archives and make a list of
> all different Syncro problems, their causes, and people's remedies. I'll
> share it when I get it done. (or does one already exist?)
>
> Does the rubber vibration damper get too hard with age? Are these
> available? Where? (someone mentioned BMW a while back?)
>
> What about diff/trans/engine mounts? Where these available?
>
> PO just replaced driveaxles with cheap C-Tire ones before I bought the van.
> How bad of a shake can they cause?
>
> I LOVE my syncro, but it has driven me MAD since I bought it. NEVER buy a
> van from someone that has had it serviced by Canadian Tire.
>
> Thanks ahead,
>
> Gary Thaxter
> 74 transporter panel
> 78 westy
> 85 kombi
> 86 syncroGL (shake, rattle, and roll) (arrgh)
>
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