Bad Wind

1
I know this topic probably seems misleading. A little humour is
necessary when dealing with syncros however.
Here's the question.
Why do I notice a pronounced improvement in stability when, in a
strong cross wind, I engage the decoupler ?
The vehicle ( 89 syncro, 15' wheels ) tracks noticeably better, with
far less tendency to be buffeted by those bad winds.

Mark
2

I’ve never been a fan of the decoupler. A well designed All Wheel Drive system such as the Syncro adds stability and safety in ALL road conditions, not just off-road. Those of us who’ve owned or driven hard in a 2wd T3 must have noticed the difference. Just ask Subaru, Porsche, Audi or VW why they offer it on their road cars.

 

If you have a decoupler already, I think you should always have it engaged (ie, in AWD), the only exception being tight parking manouvers (that’s presuming you still have a functional VC).

 

I wonder, has any-one informed their insurance company of the decoupler modification, and have they been happy to accept the reduced on-road safety of its use. Of course you have some come-back in that the 2wd version was available, but I can imagine an (admittedly pretty savvy) assessor raising his eyebrows at a claim involving ‘running of the road’ in wet or windy conditions, if he found the AWD system was available, but disengaged at the time.

 

BRIAN REED

FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES

185 Wingrove St

Fairfield, Vic. 3078

03 9481 5673   0407 319 521

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of m.mullet
Sent: Wednesday, 4 March 2009 12:43 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bad Wind

 

I know this topic probably seems misleading. A little humour is
necessary when dealing with syncros however.
Here's the question.
Why do I notice a pronounced improvement in stability when, in a
strong cross wind, I engage the decoupler ?
The vehicle ( 89 syncro, 15' wheels ) tracks noticeably better, with
far less tendency to be buffeted by those bad winds.

Mark

3
Mark,
 
The short answer is that your observations are correct - the Syncro does track better when running in all wheel drive.
 
The reason why this is so is extremely complex - vehicle dynamics is a very complex field indeed!  I can't think of any analogy that might explain it off the cuff but this extra stability is a known advantage of all wheel drive.  This is one of the reasons why major manufacturers are now offering all wheel drive in a number of sedans and wagons. There are other equally significant advantages and you have discerned this one yourself by practical test.  Amongst the world's best exponents at this drive configuration are Audi and Subaru; both are companies at the cutting edge of vehicle dynamics.
 
When you consider when the Syncro system was designed, it follows that the Syncro system was decades ahead of even some of the top companies in the world.
 
Les
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: m.mullet
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 12:43 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bad Wind

I know this topic probably seems misleading. A little humour is
necessary when dealing with syncros however.
Here's the question.
Why do I notice a pronounced improvement in stability when, in a
strong cross wind, I engage the decoupler ?
The vehicle ( 89 syncro, 15' wheels ) tracks noticeably better, with
far less tendency to be buffeted by those bad winds.

Mark

4
>
> The short answer is that your observations are correct - the Syncro does
> track better when running in all wheel drive.
>
> The reason why this is so is extremely complex - vehicle dynamics is a
> very complex field indeed! I can't think of any analogy that might
> explain it

Push a pencil from the end along a table and you will have to keep steering it.
Pull a pencil along a table from the front................................

How's that Les?
5
Gday Brian,

I'm wishing you hadn't said all that ... by all account, clearly my
modded drivetrain config is totally and utterly abysmal.

Dammit Rudi, Brian seems to be saying you've made a hell of a mess of
mine! Please explain Rudi ok?

Cheers Brian. Enjoy the T5.

Ken


--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Brian Reed" <breed@...>
wrote:
>
> I've never been a fan of the decoupler. A well designed All Wheel
Drive
> system such as the Syncro adds stability and safety in ALL road
conditions,
> not just off-road. Those of us who've owned or driven hard in a 2wd T3
must
> have noticed the difference. Just ask Subaru, Porsche, Audi or VW why
they
> offer it on their road cars.
>
>
>
> If you have a decoupler already, I think you should always have it
engaged
> (ie, in AWD), the only exception being tight parking manouvers (that's
> presuming you still have a functional VC).
>
>
>
> I wonder, has any-one informed their insurance company of the
decoupler
> modification, and have they been happy to accept the reduced on-road
safety
> of its use. Of course you have some come-back in that the 2wd version
was
> available, but I can imagine an (admittedly pretty savvy) assessor
raising
> his eyebrows at a claim involving 'running of the road' in wet or
windy
> conditions, if he found the AWD system was available, but disengaged
at the
> time.
>
>
>
> BRIAN REED
>
> FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
>
> 185 Wingrove St
>
> Fairfield, Vic. 3078
>
> 03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
>
> _____
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of m.mullet
> Sent: Wednesday, 4 March 2009 12:43 AM
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bad Wind
>
>
>
> I know this topic probably seems misleading. A little humour is
> necessary when dealing with syncros however.
> Here's the question.
> Why do I notice a pronounced improvement in stability when, in a
> strong cross wind, I engage the decoupler ?
> The vehicle ( 89 syncro, 15' wheels ) tracks noticeably better, with
> far less tendency to be buffeted by those bad winds.
>
> Mark
>