Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (June 1999, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Thu, 3 Jun 1999 22:00:21 +0200
Reply-To:     Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Subject:      Re: Syncro driveshaft problems (maybe?)
Comments: To: "Fitz-Randolph, Douglas" <dfrandolph@TALKAM.NET>
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii

<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> Please, send your messages as plain text, this is almost unreadable, it looks like it is included in some shady contract somewhere. (read the fine print) <p>74 PerL <br>88 Syncro 112i <p>"Fitz-Randolph, Douglas" wrote: <blockquote TYPE=CITE>&nbsp; <p><font size=-2>Hi all - looking for some advice here...</font> <p><font size=-2>My '90 syncro started experiencing some vibrations a few months ago. As their appearance seemed to coincide with the installation of a new set of tires and wheels, I that. Re-balanced the tires, bought different tires, did a full alignment, switched wheels - these apparently weren't the issue.</font> <p><font size=-2>In the meantime, the vibration grew more and more severe - to the point of continually causing the door lock "buttons" to unscrew themselves. The vibrations occurred ONLY when applying power (in all gears) and seemed to increase on a bell curve with 40 - 45 mph being the highpoint. They seemed to come from below me and to the rear and were most noticeable in the body of the van, not the steering wheel. They increased in severity very slowly at first, then over the last week exponentially faster - to the point that I didn't think I should drive the van.</font> <p><font size=-2>I then discovered a torn front outer CV boot. I couldn't get the rotors off myself, so I brought the van to a local garage - the same one the PO had used, so they had experience with at lease one syncro! They checked the CV joints (they were OK) replaced the front bearings, re-balanced the wheels - still vibrating. Then they pulled the driveshaft - presto! Vibrations gone. They informed me that the u-joints were binding and causing the trouble, and that the part (the whole driveshaft) from VW would be $1100, and that a better bet for me would be to go over to the local driveshaft specialist to have it rebuilt. They handed me the driveshaft and here I am. Being inherently skeptical about most mechanics, I have a few questions:</font> <p><font size=-2>1) I've never played with a syncro driveshaft before - how do I know that the u-joints are really bad? There is no play in them, but they do bind - but only when rotated at a far greater angle than I can imagine them assuming on the vehicle. What's to say the problem isn't with the VC or front differential?</font> <p><font size=-2>2) I've read about the mixed results people have had with rebuilt driveshafts - it seems like only Mark Drillock has had a positive experience (Oceanside Driveline, (760)439-9718). I'm wondering if he's the only one, of if his has gone bad as well. And if I put a rebuilt on the van and the vibrations come back, how could I be sure that the driveshaft is to blame and not some other front drivetrain component?</font> <p><font size=-2>3) If a rebuild is going to turn into months of headaches, I'd frankly rather bite the bullet and buy a new one. My VW dealer apparently wants $1100, but I saw $800 quoted in the archives. Do the prices vary that greatly from dealer to dealer, or was $800 for some aftermarket part?</font> <p><font size=-2>My van does drive very nicely w/o the driveshaft, but I bought a syncro because I wanted the 4WD, so I'd really like to get it fixed at some point. TIA for your help!</font> <p><font size=-2>Doug Fitz-Randolph</font> <br><font size=-2>Yarmouth, ME</font> <br><font size=-2>dfrandolph@talkam.net</font> <br><font size=-2>'90 Syncro (2WD)</font></blockquote> </html>


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

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.