A clunk and double diff lockers

1
HI there. On monday we're saying goodbye to our trusty bay window, and then the Syncro finally becomes the favoured child! (There will be an article in VW Campervan and Commercial May or June edition about the comparison, and a mention of this fantastic forum). Anyhow, as my attention swings towards the syncro with all its finer complexities, I have a couple of questions. One, is that on setting off, after a couple of seconds there is a clunk from somewhere beneath the van, and then all is fine. Just a single clunk. I'm guessing its related to drive shaft but haven't examined anything yet. I wondered whether its a known issue and am hoping the VC isnt about to explode? The van doesn't bind badly at all, but it is there slightly.

Following on from that... if I was to fit a decoupler, does the less common front diff lock still add something 'extra' to the tractability when decoupler is coupled and engaged, or does the diff lock become redundant? Have done some tests on the 4WD tracks around Anglesea with both diffs locked and its amazing by the way, like we have caterpillar tracks!

Many thanks


Nick
2
Nick,
 
From the few syncros I have driven - this is a common noise and it seems to me to be the main central drive shaft (taking up the slack) - usually when its really cold. The noise is amplified significantly by the large hollow drive shaft.
 
My syncro has made this noise for the last 15 years I have owned my van and I have rebuilt my gearbox once and my VC is still working fine.
 
My dad's van has made this noise from new but is easier to hear in his because it is an empty van. I only hear mine when the windows are open. And it is only on initial take off.
 
From my experience there is nothing to be concerned about.
 
Cheers,
 
Skot
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 7:26 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] A clunk and double diff lockers

 

HI there. On monday we're saying goodbye to our trusty bay window, and then the Syncro finally becomes the favoured child! (There will be an article in VW Campervan and Commercial May or June edition about the comparison, and a mention of this fantastic forum). Anyhow, as my attention swings towards the syncro with all its finer complexities, I have a couple of questions. One, is that on setting off, after a couple of seconds there is a clunk from somewhere beneath the van, and then all is fine. Just a single clunk. I'm guessing its related to drive shaft but haven't examined anything yet. I wondered whether its a known issue and am hoping the VC isnt about to explode? The van doesn't bind badly at all, but it is there slightly.

Following on from that... if I was to fit a decoupler, does the less common front diff lock still add something 'extra' to the tractability when decoupler is coupled and engaged, or does the diff lock become redundant? Have done some tests on the 4WD tracks around Anglesea with both diffs locked and its amazing by the way, like we have caterpillar tracks!

Many thanks

Nick

3
Oh and with the de-coupler disengaged the front would be completely irrelevant for traction yet it may still cause some steering issues.
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 7:26 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] A clunk and double diff lockers

 

HI there. On monday we're saying goodbye to our trusty bay window, and then the Syncro finally becomes the favoured child! (There will be an article in VW Campervan and Commercial May or June edition about the comparison, and a mention of this fantastic forum). Anyhow, as my attention swings towards the syncro with all its finer complexities, I have a couple of questions. One, is that on setting off, after a couple of seconds there is a clunk from somewhere beneath the van, and then all is fine. Just a single clunk. I'm guessing its related to drive shaft but haven't examined anything yet. I wondered whether its a known issue and am hoping the VC isnt about to explode? The van doesn't bind badly at all, but it is there slightly.

Following on from that... if I was to fit a decoupler, does the less common front diff lock still add something 'extra' to the tractability when decoupler is coupled and engaged, or does the diff lock become redundant? Have done some tests on the 4WD tracks around Anglesea with both diffs locked and its amazing by the way, like we have caterpillar tracks!

Many thanks

Nick

4

Nick,

A possible source of a single clunk is the attachment of the CV joints to their flanges – the two inners at the front and all four at the rear.   If the cap head screws begin to back off on any of them, it will allow a movement that can produce a clunk.

Whilst the front diff lock can contribute a lot to traction, steering in anything other than anything off the straight ahead position is next to impossible and decoupling the front axle won’t make much difference to that.

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Mr Scott Pitcher
Sent: 15 April 2011 19:33
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] A clunk and double diff lockers

 

 

Nick,

 

From the few syncros I have driven - this is a common noise and it seems to me to be the main central drive shaft (taking up the slack) - usually when its really cold. The noise is amplified significantly by the large hollow drive shaft.

 

My syncro has made this noise for the last 15 years I have owned my van and I have rebuilt my gearbox once and my VC is still working fine.

 

My dad's van has made this noise from new but is easier to hear in his because it is an empty van. I only hear mine when the windows are open. And it is only on initial take off.

 

From my experience there is nothing to be concerned about.

 

Cheers,

 

Skot

 

----- Original Message -----

From: nwjfletcher

Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 7:26 PM

Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] A clunk and double diff lockers

 

 

HI there. On monday we're saying goodbye to our trusty bay window, and then the Syncro finally becomes the favoured child! (There will be an article in VW Campervan and Commercial May or June edition about the comparison, and a mention of this fantastic forum). Anyhow, as my attention swings towards the syncro with all its finer complexities, I have a couple of questions. One, is that on setting off, after a couple of seconds there is a clunk from somewhere beneath the van, and then all is fine. Just a single clunk. I'm guessing its related to drive shaft but haven't examined anything yet. I wondered whether its a known issue and am hoping the VC isnt about to explode? The van doesn't bind badly at all, but it is there slightly.

Following on from that... if I was to fit a decoupler, does the less common front diff lock still add something 'extra' to the tractability when decoupler is coupled and engaged, or does the diff lock become redundant? Have done some tests on the 4WD tracks around Anglesea with both diffs locked and its amazing by the way, like we have caterpillar tracks!

Many thanks

Nick