Date:         Wed, 14 Apr 1999 10:25:18 +0200
Reply-To:     "Dr. Rainer Woitok" <woitok@RRZE.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Dr. Rainer Woitok" <woitok@RRZE.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
Organization: RRZE (Regionales Rechenzentrum Erlangen)
Subject:      Re: Syncro and Long Trip w/o Front Drive Shaft?
Comments: To: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen@mindspring.com>
In-Reply-To:  Msg <043601be85c1$fa2a2180$6f6f6f6f@aptiva> of 1999- 4-13
              08:17:36 -0700 from bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Brent, David, Malcom, and all you other Syncronauts,

On Tue, 1999- 4-13 08:17:36 -0700, Brent Christensen wrote:

> ...
>                                               If the driveline is moving
> *faster* relative to the fronts, only then the VC would kick in.  With the
> drive line removed, the drive line would be moving *slower* relative to the
> front tires/axles.   I have to assume that VW/SDP engineers, in their
> infinite  wisdom, planned on this...

The viscous coupling  works  both ways,  that is, the  normal way (input
from the drive shaft and output to the  front differential and the front
wheels) or the other  way round (input from  the front wheels and output
to the drive shaft and to the tranny).   That means, even with your rear
axles removed you would be able to push-start  your syncro.  The viscous
coupling also works   both these  ways  in  reverse (but  never try   to
push-start your  syncro or non-syncro  Vanagon  when in reverse!   Could
damage the tranny).

Driving a syncro with the drive shaft removed  does not induce any risks
other  than  getting stuck in  muddy terrain.   Provided, of cource, the
flanges to which the drive  shaft was screwd  on can rotate freely.  The
viscous  coupling only works  (that  means: locks) under  (considerable)
load.  It won't have any problems at all just  spinning the empty flange
at it's end in the air.

Sincerely
 Rainer

'89 Caravelle GL Syncro 16"

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