Hi all - looking for some advice here...

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.

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.

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:

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?

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?

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?

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!

Doug Fitz-Randolph
Yarmouth, ME
dfrandolph@talkam.net
'90 Syncro (2WD)