Decouplers

21
Francesca, the other option is to get a new Viscous Coupling. I've just bought one new from classic parts in Germany. Around $1300 Australian delivered.
Let me know if you want to go that route and i'll give you the contacts.

Who did you get to rebuild the transaxle out of interest?

Gary

[2 0 / 2 1 Design]
28 Gwynne St
Richmond
Vic 3121
gary@twentytwentyone.net
www.twentytwentyone.net
Tel 3 9429 1868
Fax 3 9421 1110
Mob 0417 352782

On 24/12/2008, at 7:27 AM, francesca.coles wrote:

Hi All,

I should first say Merry Christmas, as we're so nearly there! 

I realise many of you might be otherwise occupied on Christmas Eve, but if there's anyone 
who could advise me sometime on purchasing a decoupler, that would be grand. I should 
say that I've done enough research (including mining past posts on this forum) to know 
that the decoupler issue is a vexed one. Les has also given me his informed $2 worth - 
thanks again for that.

You don't need to either talk me in or out of getting one, but I'd appreciate pointers about 
where to buy one. (Incidentally, the issue is an aggressive VC in our recently purchased 
1991 Sunliner camper (130K on the clock), which had done damage to the transaxle. 
Fortunately, it was an honest sale, and the ex-owner saw good to contribute to the repair 
bill - how's that for Christmas spirit!) I see it can indeed be a steep learning curve owning 
a Syncro, but we are loving our new bus with shiny new gearbox and looking forward to 
taking the kids up to Dargo in it after Christmas. For the moment we are rolling in 2WD, 
minus the tail shaft, but I'm sure we can still go places.

I've seen the Bernd Jaeger decouplers, the Busman's ones, but also one from Syncro 
Services in Germany which appear to be considerably cheaper. The Syncro Hospital in SA 
have one too, but apparently we will have to get the nose cone machined here ourselves 
and I'm not sure what that involves. And then there are the American ones... Obviously, 
the cheaper the better, so long as it's reliable and durable.

Your thoughts appreciated,

Francesca. 


22
The only one I can comment on is the one I have. It is one of the
American ones (from Tom Lyengal but I believe I've got the spelling
wrong) for 7 years without a problem. It works faultlessly every time.

It is meant to have a bearing type that is "not as good" as the type
in some other decouplers. Some one more learned (or at least with a
better memory than me!) will fill you in on this.

Cheers, and Merry Christmas to everyone.

Andy,
Ceduna.
23
The US ones have a bronze bush instead of a roller bearing. Taken on face value I would have said get the one with a roller bearing, but I have not heard of any problems with the bronze bush.
Phill



> raredownunder <rafear@internode.on.net> wrote:
>
>
> The only one I can comment on is the one I have. It is one of the
> American ones (from Tom Lyengal but I believe I've got the spelling
> wrong) for 7 years without a problem. It works faultlessly every time.
>
> It is meant to have a bearing type that is "not as good" as the type
> in some other decouplers. Some one more learned (or at least with a
> better memory than me!) will fill you in on this.
>
> Cheers, and Merry Christmas to everyone.
>
> Andy,
> Ceduna.
24
Try Rudi on Bribie island. He has decouplers made to his own design in
Germany ex stock for $2500. He also has the solid shaft to replace the
vc in stock, or you could just use your aggressive vc. He requires
exchange nose cone. Ispoke to him a couple of days ago on this very
subject so this info is up to date. The idea of dealing with someone
local and expert in this field is very appealing. How do Rudi"s
prices compare allowing for return freight of your nose cone to
germany, america, sa ? Bill
25
Rudi's number 0734086669
26

Hi Francesca,

 

I have the Jaeger decoupler and did away with the VC altogether by replacing it with a connector (from Van Café in the USA). Have had the setup for a year or so and am very happy. For me, getting rid of the VC was the best thing I have done. The van drives better in 4wd when I am offroad and so much better on sealed roads in 2WD. It’s horses for courses but when I read Berndt Jaeger’s article on his website advocating the “part time 4WD” solution of decoupler and connector, I had to try it. And I love it.

 

Regards,

 

Stuart

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of francesca.coles
Sent: Wednesday, 24 December 2008 7:27 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Decouplers

 

Hi All,

I should first say Merry Christmas, as we're so nearly there!

I realise many of you might be otherwise occupied on Christmas Eve, but if there's anyone
who could advise me sometime on purchasing a decoupler, that would be grand. I should
say that I've done enough research (including mining past posts on this forum) to know
that the decoupler issue is a vexed one. Les has also given me his informed $2 worth -
thanks again for that.

You don't need to either talk me in or out of getting one, but I'd appreciate pointers about
where to buy one. (Incidentally, the issue is an aggressive VC in our recently purchased
1991 Sunliner camper (130K on the clock), which had done damage to the transaxle.
Fortunately, it was an honest sale, and the ex-owner saw good to contribute to the repair
bill - how's that for Christmas spirit!) I see it can indeed be a steep learning curve owning
a Syncro, but we are loving our new bus with shiny new gearbox and looking forward to
taking the kids up to Dargo in it after Christmas. For the moment we are rolling in 2WD,
minus the tail shaft, but I'm sure we can still go places.

I've seen the Bernd Jaeger decouplers, the Busman's ones, but also one from Syncro
Services in Germany which appear to be considerably cheaper. The Syncro Hospital in SA
have one too, but apparently we will have to get the nose cone machined here ourselves
and I'm not sure what that involves. And then there are the American ones... Obviously,
the cheaper the better, so long as it's reliable and durable.

Your thoughts appreciated,

Francesca.

27
Gday Francesca,

First and foremost, simply put, VW would tell you (correctly) your VC is
worn out. Just like tyres and batteries, they are all wearable items and
eventually need to be replaced. As it wasn't replaced when it should
have been, it most likely has contributed to, or caused, the damage to
your transaxle. I'd suggest you deal with this issue first and perhaps,
in your case, that is all you really need.

Secondary to that is the option of adding a decoupler, together with all
the associated components that need to be collected together from who
knows where and then find someone with the requisite skills to fit it
all .... not at all easy and not cheap.

I'd recommend German sourced VC's and decouplers, the original source
country and the best.

Good luck and a Happy Christmas.

Ken

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "francesca.coles"
<fcoles6@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I should first say Merry Christmas, as we're so nearly there!
>
> I realise many of you might be otherwise occupied on Christmas Eve,
but if there's anyone
> who could advise me sometime on purchasing a decoupler, that would be
grand. I should
> say that I've done enough research (including mining past posts on
this forum) to know
> that the decoupler issue is a vexed one. Les has also given me his
informed $2 worth -
> thanks again for that.
>
> You don't need to either talk me in or out of getting one, but I'd
appreciate pointers about
> where to buy one. (Incidentally, the issue is an aggressive VC in our
recently purchased
> 1991 Sunliner camper (130K on the clock), which had done damage to the
transaxle.
> Fortunately, it was an honest sale, and the ex-owner saw good to
contribute to the repair
> bill - how's that for Christmas spirit!) I see it can indeed be a
steep learning curve owning
> a Syncro, but we are loving our new bus with shiny new gearbox and
looking forward to
> taking the kids up to Dargo in it after Christmas. For the moment we
are rolling in 2WD,
> minus the tail shaft, but I'm sure we can still go places.
>
> I've seen the Bernd Jaeger decouplers, the Busman's ones, but also one
from Syncro
> Services in Germany which appear to be considerably cheaper. The
Syncro Hospital in SA
> have one too, but apparently we will have to get the nose cone
machined here ourselves
> and I'm not sure what that involves. And then there are the American
ones... Obviously,
> the cheaper the better, so long as it's reliable and durable.
>
> Your thoughts appreciated,
>
> Francesca.
>
28
I just re read my post and it was a bit ambiguous. Rudi has stock
available in australia at bribie island and requires exchange nose cone
to bribie island. All others require exchange nose cone to country of
orogin, usa, sa,germany etc. hope this is a bit clearer. Bill
29
Thanks for all the info, everyone. I had understood what you meant.

Francesca.

On 12/24/08, muddy3267 <marg_bill@westnet.com.au> wrote:

I just re read my post and it was a bit ambiguous. Rudi has stock
available in australia at bribie island and requires exchange nose cone
to bribie island. All others require exchange nose cone to country of
orogin, usa, sa,germany etc. hope this is a bit clearer. Bill


 
30
Gday Francesca,

Just to muddy the waters a bit, the advice I gave you was based on my
assessment of your circumstances and your perceived use of your beloved
syncro, as gleaned from your posts.

If my assessment of your circumstances is wrong, then consider the other
option as I have already done, gotten rid of the VC altogether and
installed in its place a solid shaft and added the mandatory decoupler.
Initially a more expensive alternative but in my view, a far more
"practical" solution for the long term, for many reasons.

For this alternate option, make an appointment with Rudi, take a holiday
to Bribie Island and he'll do the lot for you, he'll do it with great
precision and competance, it will work properly first time .... as he
has already done with mine. Highly recommended supplier and installer, a
nice bloke to boot.

Cheers.

Ken

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Francesca Coles"
<fcoles6@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for all the info, everyone. I had understood what you meant.
> Francesca.
>
> On 12/24/08, muddy3267 marg_bill@... wrote:
> >
> > I just re read my post and it was a bit ambiguous. Rudi has stock
> > available in australia at bribie island and requires exchange nose
cone
> > to bribie island. All others require exchange nose cone to country
of
> > orogin, usa, sa,germany etc. hope this is a bit clearer. Bill
> >
> >
> >
>
31
 Plenty of food for thought there in your replies! Thanks. I'll keep you posted about our eventual decision. 

Signing off until 2009,

Francesca.

On 12/24/08, Ken <unclekenz@yahoo.com> wrote:

Gday Francesca,

Just to muddy the waters a bit, the advice I gave you was based on my
assessment of your circumstances and your perceived use of your beloved
syncro, as gleaned from your posts.

If my assessment of your circumstances is wrong, then consider the other
option as I have already done, gotten rid of the VC altogether and
installed in its place a solid shaft and added the mandatory decoupler.
Initially a more expensive alternative but in my view, a far more
"practical" solution for the long term, for many reasons.

For this alternate option, make an appointment with Rudi, take a holiday
to Bribie Island and he'll do the lot for you, he'll do it with great
precision and competance, it will work properly first time .... as he
has already done with mine. Highly recommended supplier and installer, a
nice bloke to boot.

Cheers.

Ken

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Francesca Coles"
<fcoles6@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for all the info, everyone. I had understood what you meant.
> Francesca.
>
 > On 12/24/08, muddy3267 marg_bill@... wrote:
> >
> > I just re read my post and it was a bit ambiguous. Rudi has stock
> > available in australia at bribie island and requires exchange nose
cone
> > to bribie island. All others require exchange nose cone to country
of
> > orogin, usa, sa,germany etc. hope this is a bit clearer. Bill
> >
> >
> >
>


 
32
FYI - Ive got a Tom Lengal one from the USA, and its been in my van now for 7 years of with no trouble.
I simply removed my viscous coupling and dissasembled it and washed away the old Silicon fluid and I then filled it with frberglass resin therefore completly locking it up.  All of the instalation was done by my self in the drive way with the tail shaft and skid pan needing removal. The rear of the front diff housing was easily removed whilst still in the car to allow VC access. The only head ache was removal of the silicon fluid from the clutch packs.
 
here is a link to the GOWESTY web site oboviously selling the tom lengal units (by the looks o fit the prices havent changed from 7 years ago).
 
Price = $1295 UDS @ 0.65USD=1AUD; Approx 2K AUD
I believe the USA units to be more fairly priced and possibly more attactractive depending on exchange rates (now maybe not the best time).  The parts are also very small and therefore postage is cheap and generally invoices can be arranged to insure the total of the parts shipped do not exceed 1000K AUD and therefore no import duty/customs tarriff (ie straight to your door)
 
What people dont realise is that the factory dash mounted knobs and little plastic vacume air resivor are additional items(additional cost) required for the instalation - I paid approx $300 for used such units.
 
The decoupler option is by far the best mod you can do to your syncro alonge with shocks and springs upgrade.
 
All the best
Merry Christmas

From: "plander@optusnet.com.au" <plander@optusnet.com.au>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 24 December, 2008 9:12:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Decouplers

The US ones have a bronze bush instead of a roller bearing. Taken on face value I would have said get the one with a roller bearing, but I have not heard of any problems with the bronze bush.
Phill

> raredownunder <rafear@internode. on.net> wrote:
>
>
> The only one I can comment on is the one I have. It is one of the
> American ones (from Tom Lyengal but I believe I've got the spelling
> wrong) for 7 years without a problem. It works faultlessly every time.
>
> It is meant to have a bearing type that is "not as good" as the type
> in some other decouplers. Some one more learned (or at least with a
> better memory than me!) will fill you in on this.
>
> Cheers, and Merry Christmas to everyone.
>
> Andy,
>
Ceduna.


Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look.
33
On Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 2:25 PM, raredownunder <rafear@internode.on.net> wrote:

The only one I can comment on is the one I have. It is one of the
American ones (from Tom Lyengal but I believe I've got the spelling
wrong) for 7 years without a problem. It works faultlessly every time.

It is meant to have a bearing type that is "not as good" as the type
in some other decouplers. Some one more learned (or at least with a
better memory than me!) will fill you in on this.

Cheers, and Merry Christmas to everyone.

Andy,
Ceduna.
 
 
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.
 
Just thought I would set the record (or spelling) straight. IIRC Tom spells his last name as
"Lengyel". Contact via talmal@aol.com. The Lengyel Brothers Tom & Adam do wonders with
their Syncros besides building decouplers. On their off time, they are off to some far off part
of the world providing dental care in places only a Syncro would feel at home.
 
My best to all of you,
 
 
Ben T.
34
35
That was spot on with my thoughts.  I had a AWD 80 Landcruiser that I made part time 4x4.  The difference and the only advantage was I was able to decoupler the axles which stopped the front end turning and saved money on frequent front end rebuilds. Something we cannot do on the Syncro as we dont have hub lockers. 

Tyres wore poorly
Handling was changed to the negitive
And the extra stress on the backend was noticable after a rebuild and blown diff.

Peter



Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

-------- Original message --------
From: "plander@optusnet.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia]" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Date: 5/10/18 08:13 (GMT+10:00)
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Decouplers

 

https://vw-kern.at/blog/en/2018/10/03/der-zuschalt-allrad-beim-t3-syncro-als-spritfresser/


36
Interesting article! I think my gearbox needs rebuilding- it started making a clanging noise under load that increases in frequency with vehicle speed. Trying to find out if there was anything wrong with the wheels/driveshafts I removed the prop shaft, and the noise went away. 
So now running 2WD as a temp fix which I am not happy about at all. 

Does anyone here have a Syncro gearbox they want to get rid of? I’d rather replace, then rebuild in my own time. 

Also is it possible to drop the gearbox with the engine in situ? 

Thanks
Gaetan

Sent from my iNuke

On 5 Oct 2018, at 07:25, richo1166 richo1166@gmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

That was spot on with my thoughts.  I had a AWD 80 Landcruiser that I made part time 4x4.  The difference and the only advantage was I was able to decoupler the axles which stopped the front end turning and saved money on frequent front end rebuilds. Something we cannot do on the Syncro as we dont have hub lockers. 

Tyres wore poorly
Handling was changed to the negitive
And the extra stress on the backend was noticable after a rebuild and blown diff.

Peter



Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

-------- Original message --------
Date: 5/10/18 08:13 (GMT+10:00)
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Decouplers

 

https://vw-kern.at/blog/en/2018/10/03/der-zuschalt-allrad-beim-t3-syncro-als-spritfresser/


37
If I'm reading all this correctly the proposition is being made that your gearbox wears out more quickly in 2WD than in AWD. If this is true then, presumably, Syncro gearboxes using VC will last longer than the gearboxes in all the 2WD T3's out there?!
I think that all these points, wear, fuel consumption, etc., are being made under the assumption that you have a perfect 100% operating VC, something most of us don't. In reality I think a less than perfect VC will cause far more wear and stress on your driveline especially around town. Maybe just engage AWD on the highway and off-road?🤔
Andy
38
A bit of history on Range Rovers.

Range Rovers were made permanent all wheel drive to spread the load over both axles as the drive train was not strong enough to take the load of the V8.
39
Hi Gaetan,

if the noise went away went without the prop shaft that suggests something other than gearbox. Possibly the front axle.
Ahh the fun of syncros.

Mark
40
Gaetan,
Consider also that there could be worn universal joints in the prop shaft plus and the angles on the drive shaft faces may be incorrect.
Ideal - aim for 4 degrees down at each face - or more, make both faces the same angle.
It's an interesting fact of physics on the way in which the input shaft can turn less or more then the output shaft if the angles are different. 
watch this