Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 08:09:36 -0400
Reply-To: Robert Rountree <rountree@PLANETEER.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Rountree <rountree@PLANETEER.COM>
Organization: Rountree R&D
Subject: Re: Drive shaft removal (Syncro)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Rainer
I saw a setup last weekend, I would like to get yours (and others) opinion
on.
87 Westy Syncro, the PO had removed the front half shafts. Then had taken
the out side CV apart and used only the end (splined) part to hold the
wheels on. The new owner is driving it around like this. To recap... the
main front to rear drive shaft is still IN, turning the VC, but NO CV shafts
are connected to the front dif, only the outside CV halves are used to hold
the wheel bearing together.... I have never seen this done this way
before..... will this damage his VC .... will it change the strength &
handling of the front end?
Rob
87 Westy SyncroGL.....Cynosure 86k km
Moonstone Ont.
Syncro87@Hotmail.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Dr. Rainer Woitok <woitok@RRZE.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 1999 5:34 AM
Subject: Re: Drive shaft removal (Syncro)
> Brent and all you other Syncronauts,
>
> On Wed, 1999-06-09 10:45:05 -0700, Brent Christensen wrote:
>
> > ...
> > Would any of you Syncronauts out there recommend removing the drive
shaft
> > and carrying it with me until reaching the back country?
>
> I would not generally recommend that because under extreme conditions
> (like emergency maneuvers) a 4WD Syncro handles better than a 2WD
> Syncro. But if your viscous coupling is already rather tight you could
> remove some of the strain on the various components by removing the
> drive shaft (been there, done that).
>
> However, I'm not going to buy some other listees' comments that a
> removed drive shaft might put additional stress on the front diff or on
> the viscous coupling. True, the viscous coupling is now driven by the
> front axles and the front diff, but its other (free) end just happily
> rotates in the open air ... I really can't see how this should do any
> harm.
>
> > If anyone has
done
> > this, where did you stow the drive shaft while underway?
>
> On the floor right in front of the rear seat bench. But then, I've got
> a passenger van, not a Westy. And yes, as somebody else has already
> pointed out, it could be a real mess if the drive shaft were muddy
> ... :-)
>
> > How long does
it
> > take to R & R?
>
> Well, it largely depends on how fast you're working :-) ... Ok,
> seriously, perhaps half an hour when you do it the first time, less
> later. It's only four nuts and bolts (13mm, sometimes only 12mm) on
> either side, but due to the geometry you can only use open wrenches
> there. You don't even need a jack. I've done it on the plain ground.
>
> Before you undo the bolts mark the flages, so you later know which end
> goes where and how the drive shaft was aligned relative to the gearbox
> and front diff flange. When the bolts are removed the drive shaft
> doesn't simply fall down, you'll have to persuade it by gently driving a
> screw driver between the flanges ... well, the correct way as per the
> German factory repair manual would be to loosen the three 17mm nuts
> which hold the front diff in place, so the front diff could move a
> little out of the way (by all means don't forget to retighten these
> nuts!).
>
> > ...
> > I am interested in improving fuel economy, and saving wear & tear
on
> > the front diff. and VC.
>
> If your viscous coupling really is ok, I wouldn't put my money on any
> fuel savings achieved that way. Reason: rather than by the drive shaft
> the front wheels as well as the front diff and the viscous coupling
> itself are now driven by the road ... but it's still your engine which
> keeps them going ...
>
> For much of the same reason I wouldn't expect measurable less wear and
> tear on the front diff and the viscous coupling. Provided the viscous
> coupling is still ok, and provided your tires front and rear have the
> same diameter (within 1 or 2 mm).
>
> However, if you viscous coupling is already shot more or less, you'll
> really gain something from removing the drive shaft on the road and
> installing it only off the road (but before you get stuck knee deep in
> mud :-)
>
> > Anyone ever had vibration problems spontaneously appear after removing
and
> > then reinstalling the drive shaft without modifying anything?
>
> Not that I know of.
>
> I hope that helps, even though your milage may vary ... :-)
>
> Sincerely
> Rainer
>
> '89 Caravelle GL Syncro 16"
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> | Rainer M Woitok | Phone: (+49-9131) 85-27811,-27031 |
> | Regionales Rechenzentrum | |
> | Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet | Fax : (+49-9131) 30 29 41 |
> | Martens-Strasse 1 | Telex: d 629 755 tf erl |
> | D-91058 Erlangen | |
> | Germany | Mail: Woitok@RRZE.Uni-Erlangen.DE |
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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