DOTVW Victoria

1

We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in Victoria and we have eight Syncros attending.  Do we have any more planning to come?  We need to know so that we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.

 

Les

 

 

2
Hi Les,
 
Unfortunately we wont be able to attend this year.  We really enjoyed it last year, especially catching up at Tooradin on the Sat night.  Have fun and we will be back next year,
 
Karen and neil. 

From: Les Harris <leslieharris@optusnet.com.au>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, 31 October, 2009 12:51:11 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] DOTVW Victoria

 

We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in Victoria and we have eight Syncros attending.  Do we have any more planning to come?  We need to know so that we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.

 

Les

 

 


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3

(Reposted from Roger Bayley in Goulburn, NSW.  This is an excellent report and I would like to see more like it.  Les.)

 

G'day Les


I'm still getting mail from the group - 3 more arrived yesterday - so it seems to be working O.K.  I'll let you know if I have any problems. (This refers to a Yahoo problem.)

The Syncro is still soldiering on after seven years of being ignored. That's what you get for being reliable. The spare engine is in the shed waiting for the new heads to be bolted on. Adrian Muller did up the trannie for me - I'm looking forward to having the diff lock back in the van. I've collected a full set of new coolant hoses, and even picked up a brand new set of fuel injectors and hoses and new CV joints and gaiters.

So the old girl is about a have a full organ transplant. Then it will be time to look at the front end and the duco.

Speaking of CV joints, I notice in the manual that the Syncro is supposed to have a spacer fitted between the CV joint and the output flange, presumably to allow for more axle articulation and 'droop'. I've never seen one on either of my Syncros. Has anybody else?

I'm waiting for the BF Goodrich's to finally wear out so that I can go to a set of 15" rims.

They are an incredibly tough tyre - I just turfed out the ones on my Range Rover after ten years; they had lasted through four vehicles before one of them gave up the ghost after hauling a road train of fully loaded Landrovers - a 110 and a 130 - up "the Staircase" on the Deddick fire trail. The tires scrabbled for about 200 metres. One of the rears de-laminated on the way home on the freeway - a serious vibration warned me that the tyre wasn't round any more!

When I went to replace the Sunraysia wheel with the spare, [a factory mag] I realised that I didn't have a set of mag wheel nuts, so we had to drive home slowly on the wobbly tyre. It took a while, but we made it, and I learned another lesson.

The tyre salesman tried to talk me out of buying another set [in favour of his own brand] because he claims that Goodrich "aren't what they used to be" since being taken over by Michelin. When pressed, he stated that they were difficult to keep in balance. I told him to take a rain check while I made some enquiries before ordering. Have you heard anything negative about them?

Last week I took an archaeologist up the old 1820 convict built road over the Cookbundoon Ranges , just out of Goulburn, to check out some ruins. We travelled in his new Landrover Discovery. Beautiful vehicle - quiet, powerful and luxurious. We ran over a few windfalls and dead branches, as you do, and thought nothing of it until we got out and noticed that the plastic trims around his wheel arches had been shattered by a few dry sticks. Whoops! It never would have happened in the Syncro!

My job this weekend is to slide out the seats and make up a bed platform as we're heading up to the Abercrombie River National Park next weekend, looking for the remains of the childhood home of a famous bushranger.

I've noticed that you have another member named Roger who seems like another notorious character. Would it save confusion if I called myself 'Beetle', [which is what you get when you've got a shed full of Volkswagens and Bayley for a surname]?
                                                                     

Cheers, Beetle.

 

(I wouldn’t describe the other Roger ( Bell ) as notorious by any means.  he has been a mainstay member for a long time and I would like to see you become the same via more reports like to one above.  I don’t think that any confusion will arise between the Bayley Roger and the Bell Roger – but using one’s proper name, as many of us do, resolves that in any event.  Les.)

 

 

4

This is re-posted from the rvtravelau group.  I have never heard this before but it could well be worth adding a small container of pepper to the tool kit.

 

Les

 

 

Hi John,

One of the best emergency radiator repairs kits going is the small plastic container of black pepper. I think it's the Saxa brand one.

Once the pepper gets to the hole in the radiator it seals it up and sets like concrete.  Need to keep the pressure off for a while whilst it sets though.

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it 1st hand myself with my own eyes.

I used to help on the Careflight Ventures on their rallies (bash's) -  a friend of mine used to organise it all, he now does it for Telstra Childflight, and we used to go out and survey the courses and then do pre trip checks to make sure all was in order etc and then run the 'Venture' after that.

Anyway one day we were in his Nissan Patrol in the middle of nowhere when we holed the radiator.  He got the pepper out poured about a tablespoon in and let it work its way through and lo and behold I watched the leak slowly ease up to a very slight trickle and then completely stop.  We travelled another 5 days like that before we got home and he had it repaired - never leaked a drop throughout this whole time before we got home after putting the pepper in.

He told me a story of one of the competitors on the rallies, who had an old HR Holden and had the same problem with their radiator - put the pepper in and had it in there for over 2 years and was as good as the day he bought it - not a leak to be found.  BTW both these guys are mechanics too.

Surprising how good these little 'bush' remedies are.

Regards
Pete

5

G’day BEETLE,

 

Yes, my 1989 DOKA had the spacers fitted and still has.

Thank you for your report, great work, fun to read.    Hartmut

PS  why not join us on our way to MEL !?

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Les Harris
Sent: Sunday, 1 November 2009 10:17 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report

 

 

(Reposted from Roger Bayley in Goulburn, NSW.  This is an excellent report and I would like to see more like it.  Les.)

 

G'day Les


I'm still getting mail from the group - 3 more arrived yesterday - so it seems to be working O.K.  I'll let you know if I have any problems. (This refers to a Yahoo problem.)

The Syncro is still soldiering on after seven years of being ignored. That's what you get for being reliable. The spare engine is in the shed waiting for the new heads to be bolted on. Adrian Muller did up the trannie for me - I'm looking forward to having the diff lock back in the van. I've collected a full set of new coolant hoses, and even picked up a brand new set of fuel injectors and hoses and new CV joints and gaiters.

So the old girl is about a have a full organ transplant. Then it will be time to look at the front end and the duco.

Speaking of CV joints, I notice in the manual that the Syncro is supposed to have a spacer fitted between the CV joint and the output flange, presumably to allow for more axle articulation and 'droop'. I've never seen one on either of my Syncros. Has anybody else?

I'm waiting for the BF Goodrich's to finally wear out so that I can go to a set of 15" rims.

They are an incredibly tough tyre - I just turfed out the ones on my Range Rover after ten years; they had lasted through four vehicles before one of them gave up the ghost after hauling a road train of fully loaded Landrovers - a 110 and a 130 - up "the Staircase" on the Deddick fire trail. The tires scrabbled for about 200 metres. One of the rears de-laminated on the way home on the freeway - a serious vibration warned me that the tyre wasn't round any more!

When I went to replace the Sunraysia wheel with the spare, [a factory mag] I realised that I didn't have a set of mag wheel nuts, so we had to drive home slowly on the wobbly tyre. It took a while, but we made it, and I learned another lesson.

The tyre salesman tried to talk me out of buying another set [in favour of his own brand] because he claims that Goodrich "aren't what they used to be" since being taken over by Michelin. When pressed, he stated that they were difficult to keep in balance. I told him to take a rain check while I made some enquiries before ordering. Have you heard anything negative about them?

Last week I took an archaeologist up the old 1820 convict built road over the Cookbundoon Ranges, just out of Goulburn, to check out some ruins. We travelled in his new Landrover Discovery. Beautiful vehicle - quiet, powerful and luxurious. We ran over a few windfalls and dead branches, as you do, and thought nothing of it until we got out and noticed that the plastic trims around his wheel arches had been shattered by a few dry sticks. Whoops! It never would have happened in the Syncro!

My job this weekend is to slide out the seats and make up a bed platform as we're heading up to the Abercrombie River National Park next weekend, looking for the remains of the childhood home of a famous bushranger.

I've noticed that you have another member named Roger who seems like another notorious character. Would it save confusion if I called myself 'Beetle', [which is what you get when you've got a shed full of Volkswagens and Bayley for a surname]?
                                                                     

Cheers, Beetle.

 

(I wouldn’t describe the other Roger (Bell) as notorious by any means.  he has been a mainstay member for a long time and I would like to see you become the same via more reports like to one above.  I don’t think that any confusion will arise between the Bayley Roger and the Bell Roger – but using one’s proper name, as many of us do, resolves that in any event.  Les.)

 

 

6
Beetle,
 
I would love to have a shed with toys in it like you have but only have room for a syncro and a 71 deluxe microbus and that's about it - they are not small vehicles.
 
Anyway regarding the BFG's - I have had mine for about 3 1/2 years now and they are handling the roads very well. They are wearing very slowly (still look new after about 15,000kms) and sit very smoothly on the highway at high speeds (I have a 6cyl Subaru donk pushing them along).
 
They have bead protectors for the wheels and 3-ply side walls for endurance through low pressures. A fantastic tyre and much better than my last ones (Hankook). Mine are 235 x 75 x 15's and work well on my slightly lifted syncro.
 
Cheers,
 
Scott
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Les Harris
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 10:17 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report

 

(Reposted from Roger Bayley in Goulburn, NSW.  This is an excellent report and I would like to see more like it.  Les.)

G'day Les


I'm still getting mail from the group - 3 more arrived yesterday - so it seems to be working O.K.  I'll let you know if I have any problems. (This refers to a Yahoo problem.)

The Syncro is still soldiering on after seven years of being ignored. That's what you get for being reliable. The spare engine is in the shed waiting for the new heads to be bolted on. Adrian Muller did up the trannie for me - I'm looking forward to having the diff lock back in the van. I've collected a full set of new coolant hoses, and even picked up a brand new set of fuel injectors and hoses and new CV joints and gaiters.

So the old girl is about a have a full organ transplant. Then it will be time to look at the front end and the duco.

Speaking of CV joints, I notice in the manual that the Syncro is supposed to have a spacer fitted between the CV joint and the output flange, presumably to allow for more axle articulation and 'droop'. I've never seen one on either of my Syncros. Has anybody else?

I'm waiting for the BF Goodrich's to finally wear out so that I can go to a set of 15" rims.

They are an incredibly tough tyre - I just turfed out the ones on my Range Rover after ten years; they had lasted through four vehicles before one of them gave up the ghost after hauling a road train of fully loaded Landrovers - a 110 and a 130 - up "the Staircase" on the Deddick fire trail. The tires scrabbled for about 200 metres. One of the rears de-laminated on the way home on the freeway - a serious vibration warned me that the tyre wasn't round any more!

When I went to replace the Sunraysia wheel with the spare, [a factory mag] I realised that I didn't have a set of mag wheel nuts, so we had to drive home slowly on the wobbly tyre. It took a while, but we made it, and I learned another lesson.

The tyre salesman tried to talk me out of buying another set [in favour of his own brand] because he claims that Goodrich "aren't what they used to be" since being taken over by Michelin. When pressed, he stated that they were difficult to keep in balance. I told him to take a rain check while I made some enquiries before ordering. Have you heard anything negative about them?

Last week I took an archaeologist up the old 1820 convict built road over the Cookbundoon Ranges , just out of Goulburn, to check out some ruins. We travelled in his new Landrover Discovery. Beautiful vehicle - quiet, powerful and luxurious. We ran over a few windfalls and dead branches, as you do, and thought nothing of it until we got out and noticed that the plastic trims around his wheel arches had been shattered by a few dry sticks. Whoops! It never would have happened in the Syncro!

My job this weekend is to slide out the seats and make up a bed platform as we're heading up to the Abercrombie River National Park next weekend, looking for the remains of the childhood home of a famous bushranger.

I've noticed that you have another member named Roger who seems like another notorious character. Would it save confusion if I called myself 'Beetle', [which is what you get when you've got a shed full of Volkswagens and Bayley for a surname]?
                                                                     

Cheers, Beetle.

(I wouldn’t describe the other Roger ( Bell ) as notorious by any means.  he has been a mainstay member for a long time and I would like to see you become the same via more reports like to one above.  I don’t think that any confusion will arise between the Bayley Roger and the Bell Roger – but using one’s proper name, as many of us do, resolves that in any event.  Les.)


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7
 
I would love to have a shed with toys in it like you have but only have room for a syncro and a 71 deluxe microbus and that's about it - they  are not small vehicles.
 


Scott, 

The T3 Syncro might appear to be a large vehicle but they have a rather small footprint. I've found my Syncro to be only some 5"-6" longer than my girlfriend's 2-door 1993 Honda Civic EX.

 One time, I was in a rush to find parking at the nearby Oakland (California) Airport parking lot. Saw a late 90's Japanese sedan pulling out of a spot. As I proceeded to park, the lot attendant came rushing out with arms flailing all the while yelling, "Too big! Too big!" I told him my Syncro wasn't any longer than the Honda Accord that just left. To which he said, "Man, if you can prove that, you park for free." I yank the steering wheel; hit the gas; screeched into the spot. The look of horror and dismay disappeared from his face because he clearly saw how much longer the Toyota Camry was next to me. "You won't me again with that trick. OK, you park free this time."  

A month later, I was at the same carpark with a different attendant. The first came running out yelling, "No! No!" He was too late. I got to park free again. I used that place a lot. I've been paying ever since but not without a shake of the head everytime they see me coming.

T3's are so nice compact that I kept several in my collection for years. 


Cheers,

BenT
Sent from my mobile device
8
Ben,
 
Mine was OK before it received a large alloy bull bar and then a wheel carrier complete with a big ass tyre. This makes it difficult to get around -adds about a foot and a half at each end (3 foot extra all up). This would probably bring it up to Camry size.
 
The other problem is the syncro's height - with a pop-top roof it cant get under a 2.1m clearance any more and needs 2.25m before it fits. The boss gets annoyed with shopping trips as we have to walk in from the outer (uncovered car parks). At least the syncro fits (just) in my garage - I had to alter my garage to make it work though - Raised the lintel height at the entry to maximum and then I dug out the floor and lowered the floor to suit.
 
You cant leave vehicles this good out in the weather to rot - especially living right on the east coast of Oz - everything rusts - rapidly.
 
I have seen what happens to T3 busses out in the weather - there is a T3 panel van 2wd that is a surf school vehicle @ Bondi Beach in Sydney and it is destroyed by rust along gutters, around the windscreen, back window front side windows, seams, sills  -  everywhere!
 
Cheers,
 
Scott
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 10:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report

 

 
I would love to have a shed with toys in it like you have but only have room for a syncro and a 71 deluxe microbus and that's about it - they  are not small vehicles.
 


Scott, 

The T3 Syncro might appear to be a large vehicle but they have a rather small footprint. I've found my Syncro to be only some 5"-6" longer than my girlfriend's 2-door 1993 Honda Civic EX.

 One time, I was in a rush to find parking at the nearby Oakland (California) Airport parking lot. Saw a late 90's Japanese sedan pulling out of a spot. As I proceeded to park, the lot attendant came rushing out with arms flailing all the while yelling, "Too big! Too big!" I told him my Syncro wasn't any longer than the Honda Accord that just left. To which he said, "Man, if you can prove that, you park for free." I yank the steering wheel; hit the gas; screeched into the spot. The look of horror and dismay disappeared from his face because he clearly saw how much longer the Toyota Camry was next to me. "You won't me again with that trick. OK, you park free this time."  

A month later, I was at the same carpark with a different attendant. The first came running out yelling, "No! No!" He was too late. I got to park free again. I used that place a lot. I've been paying ever since but not without a shake of the head everytime they see me coming.

T3's are so nice compact that I kept several in my collection for years. 


Cheers,

BenT
Sent from my mobile device


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.42/2473 - Release Date: 10/31/09 21:14:00
9
Hi Les
Im not sure if the 16'' doka will be there it is in the workshop getting the gearbox done. Will let you know asap if it will happen
Regards Mark

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@...> wrote:
>
> We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in Victoria and we have eight Syncros
> attending. Do we have any more planning to come? We need to know so that
> we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.
>
>
>
> Les
>
10
G'day Hartmut -
                         have you noticed any advantage from having the CV spacers fitted? I guess the only way to test them would be on an articulation ramp, or in a real-world situation when your Doka is pitted against a similarly set-up vehicle without them.

  I'm thinking that if that they are either intended to increase wheel travel, or reduce damage to the CV's at maximum droop, or maybe both. What do you reckon?

  Thanks for the invite to Melbourne, but I don't think the old girl is up to a long trip before the total organ transplant. After a posted the last message bragging how reliable the car was, we went for a Sunday drive to Wee Jasper. When we got home I noticed a strong smell of petrol. It made me nervous enough to park it up until I have time to have a look under the engine lid.

  My old Sunday School teacher always said "pride cometh before a fall." I should have taken her advice.

  About a year ago I noticed the same smell, and replaced the fuel supply hose in the engine compartment which was perished and squirting petrol all over the distributor. Scary.

  It must be a common problem, because Van Cafe markets a replacement kit. I bought some new fuel-injection hose from the local car accessory shop, [a nation-wide chain], and ran it through a sleeve to protect it from chafing, but my mate Eddie's experience makes me suspect that the new hose might have perished too.

  After I told Eddie he decided to replace the hose in his '84 Caravelle as well. He bought similar hose from the same shop. A month later his missus mentioned a strong smell of petrol. He checked it out, and the new hose was perished! We ordered a genuine Bosch fuel-injector kit from Tooleys, which included all the hoses and fittings as well. Not only did it cure Eddie's body odour, but the old 1.9 now flies up Catherine Hill in top gear.

  I guess by now you'll all be out lifting up your engine lids.

  Anyway, the scariest thing about it is that I will have to rely on the old Range Rover to get me to work for a few days.
                                                                                                                                                                           Cheers, Beetle.

 

 

11
Thanks Scott,
                         I think the salesman might have been having a lend of me. I've had a good run out of the Goodrich's on the Syncro and the Rover, done some high mileages, and found them to be a very tough tyre. I've tried other brands in the past that have been weak in the sidewall, wore out too quickly, or were way too noisy.

  Another tyre I might consider is the new Kelly Safari MSR. Has any one had any experience with them?

  Otherwise, I might just stick to a good thing.

  As for space - I had to hire another shed!
                                                                                           Cheers, Beetle.

12
On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 3:36 AM, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@bigpond.com> wrote:


Ben,
Mine was OK before it received a large alloy bull bar and then a wheel carrier complete with a big ass tyre. This makes it difficult to get around -adds about a foot and a half at each end (3 foot extra all up). This would probably bring it up to Camry size.
The other problem is the syncro's height - with a pop-top roof it cant get under a 2.1m clearance any more and needs 2.25m before it fits. The boss gets annoyed with shopping trips as we have to walk in from the outer (uncovered car parks). At least the syncro fits (just) in my garage - I had to alter my garage to make it work though - Raised the lintel height at the entry to maximum and then I dug out the floor and lowered the floor to suit.
You cant leave vehicles this good out in the weather to rot - especially living right on the east coast of Oz - everything rusts - rapidly.
I have seen what happens to T3 busses out in the weather - there is a T3 panel van 2wd that is a surf school vehicle @ Bondi Beach in Sydney and it is destroyed by rust along gutters, around the windscreen, back window front side windows, seams, sills - everywhere!
Cheers,
Scott
Scott,
You certainly sound like a dedicated Syncro enthusiast, if modified your stationary home to accommodate your house on wheels. ;-)
My T3's all sit outside in sunny California and do not have serious corrosion issues. However, just 1-2kms away, my lone T3 Syncro Doka parked INSIDE a well vented garage rotted. That extra kilometer or two keeps the salt from the Pacific at bay (no pun intended).
BenT
13
Ken,

Mel still loves driving our syncro despite its tall stature - it has power
steering and handles fairly well - unlike my old 71 - similar braking
capabilities, but the syncro has power windows, power mirrors and very comfy
seats with arm rests plus a cigarette lighter for the GPS and 2 cup holders!

Hence if both kombis are taken away on holidays - I get relegated to the Old
71 and nick off in the syncro any chance I get.

I find my wife will complain regardless of the vehicle she drives. If she
were driving the latest Range Rover she would just find something else to
whinge about so why bother!

Cheers,

Scott


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Garratt " <unclekenz@hotmail.com>
To: <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 8:48 AM
Subject: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report


> Gday Scott,
> Eat your heart out!
> Your better half can come shopping in my Trakka via Erina Fair or Gosford
> underground carparks anytime she likes ok ... No worries! Haha.
> Cheers.
> Ken
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@bigpond.com>
> Sent: Sunday, 1 November 2009 10:36 PM
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report
>
>
>
> [The entire original message is not included]
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.42/2473 - Release Date: 10/31/09
21:14:00
14

Mark,

 

One place reserved for whichever you bring.

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of mark
Sent: 01 November 2009 22:50
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: DOTVW Victoria

 

 

Hi Les
Im not sure if the 16'' doka will be there it is in the workshop getting the gearbox done. Will let you know asap if it will happen
Regards Mark

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com, " Les Harris " <leslieharris@ ...> wrote:

>
> We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in
w:st="on">Victoria and we have eight Syncros
> attending. Do we have any more planning to come? We need to know so that
> we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.
>
>
>
> Les
>

15

Hi BEETLE,  can’t give you an answer to your first question ‘cause I never knowingly have driven one without spacers. Installing a new complete side shaft Front right today, I think I would have been hard pressed to pull it to length without the spacer. I don’t think I would have gotten it in.

As I had the DOKA on tressels when trying to loosen the centre nut I found the only worthwile purpose for my ventilated disks being the receptible for a strong screwdriver to keep the wheel from turning. Also when fixing the inner VC this came in handy especially when working with a click wrench .

Getting the Seikels out and refitting my , now stretched, originals is a power act I don’t want to have to do in a hurry again....especially so when you are doing the HUMAN FACTORS  course and you are

 Becoming aware what can happen if a coil spring tensioner lets go and the thing jumps into your face.... Try and avoid the experience.

 

Fuel smell :  Some years back , coming home from gliding champs with my daughter, towing the caravan, having just refuelled at Tamworth ,travelling uphill  2500ft over +-  4km, and coming out on top, we were engulfed in fuel smell, real bad. We stopped, I heard a hissing noise, petrol all over the place from a pressurised fuel tank. We were very lucky. I remember taking the filler cap off and going home without it. Later I found an orifice being blocked. I found this in the Bentleys, since than I have a vacuum in the tank when I open it after a longish drive.

 

You would poss have perished fuel hoses, perished maybe  from Ethanol? Who knows, with all the sh they are mixing into the juice these days.....    Hartmut

 

 

 

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gullyraker@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, 1 November 2009 11:16 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report

 

 

G'day Hartmut -
                         have you noticed any advantage from having the CV spacers fitted? I guess the only way to test them would be on an articulation ramp, or in a real-world situation when your Doka is pitted against a similarly set-up vehicle without them.

  I'm thinking that if that they are either intended to increase wheel travel, or reduce damage to the CV's at maximum droop, or maybe both. What do you reckon?

  Thanks for the invite to Melbourne, but I don't think the old girl is up to a long trip before the total organ transplant. After a posted the last message bragging how reliable the car was, we went for a Sunday drive to Wee Jasper. When we got home I noticed a strong smell of petrol. It made me nervous enough to park it up until I have time to have a look under the engine lid.

  My old Sunday School teacher always said "pride cometh before a fall." I should have taken her advice.

  About a year ago I noticed the same smell, and replaced the fuel supply hose in the engine compartment which was perished and squirting petrol all over the distributor. Scary.

  It must be a common problem, because Van Cafe markets a replacement kit. I bought some new fuel-injection hose from the local car accessory shop, [a nation-wide chain], and ran it through a sleeve to protect it from chafing, but my mate Eddie's experience makes me suspect that the new hose might have perished too.

  After I told Eddie he decided to replace the hose in his '84 Caravelle as well. He bought similar hose from the same shop. A month later his missus mentioned a strong smell of petrol. He checked it out, and the new hose was perished! We ordered a genuine Bosch fuel-injector kit from Tooleys, which included all the hoses and fittings as well. Not only did it cure Eddie's body odour, but the old 1.9 now flies up Catherine Hill in top gear.

  I guess by now you'll all be out lifting up your engine lids.

  Anyway, the scariest thing about it is that I will have to rely on the old Range Rover to get me to work for a few days.
                                                                                                                                                                           Cheers, Beetle.

 

 

16
G'day Hartmut;
                       You're last message has given me food for thought. I'll have to track down some spacers or have some made up, and measure the wheel travel before and after.

Just a couple of questions though; 1. how thick are the spacers?

                                                   2. are they the same thickness on front and rear axles?

                                                   3. are they simply a ring, or do they have grooves machined into them for the CV balls to travel in?

  Your mention of drilled or slotted disc rotors interests me. Have you fitted aftermarket rotors, or "big brakes"?

As for the petrol fumes, I couldn't see any obvious sign of leaks so the blocked vent may be a possibility worth exploring. The fumes were particularly noticeable after a two hour drive through the mountains and along the freeway.

                                                                         Cheers, Beetle.

17
Thanks Ken, but it's probably not worth the trouble as I already have genuine replacement parts, and the nearest VW dealer is an hour away.
                                                                                           Cheers, Beetle.


18
I was under the impression that the spacers were only used on the CV's on diffs / transaxles without a difflock as the difflock componentry sticks out further and takes up the extra space. I know I have them on my diffs as neither of them are locking types.That may explain why they are on some and not others. But I would strongly recommend someone comfirming or disproving it by looking in Bently and comparing the two diff types. Sorry to throw another spanner into the works.

Nick B


--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Gullyraker@... wrote:
>
> G'day Hartmut;
> You're last message has given me food for thought.
> I'll have to track down some spacers or have some made up, and measure the
> wheel travel before and after.
>
> Just a couple of questions though; 1. how thick are the spacers?
>
> 2. are they the same
> thickness on front and rear axles?
>
> 3. are they simply a
> ring, or do they have grooves machined into them for the CV balls to travel in?
>
> Your mention of drilled or slotted disc rotors interests me. Have you
> fitted aftermarket rotors, or "big brakes"?
>
> As for the petrol fumes, I couldn't see any obvious sign of leaks so the
> blocked vent may be a possibility worth exploring. The fumes were particularly
> noticeable after a two hour drive through the mountains and along the
> freeway.
>
>
> Cheers, Beetle.
>
19

Nick,  my DOKA came into the country with 2 lock diffs, however I have only spacers fitted to the front , not the rear . Have not  got my Bentley here, but I believe spacers are only shown for the front axle. Quite possible my rear spacers disappeared over the years, as I had sold the car for a few years before I bought it back (my missus did !).............Ha

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of nickbellau
Sent: Tuesday, 3 November 2009 6:05 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Syncro report

 

 


I was under the impression that the spacers were only used on the CV's on diffs / transaxles without a difflock as the difflock componentry sticks out further and takes up the extra space. I know I have them on my diffs as neither of them are locking types.That may explain why they are on some and not others. But I would strongly recommend someone comfirming or disproving it by looking in Bently and comparing the two diff types. Sorry to throw another spanner into the works.

Nick B

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Gullyraker@... wrote:

>
> G'day Hartmut;
> You're last message has given me food for thought.
> I'll have to track down some spacers or have some made up, and measure the
> wheel travel before and after.
>
> Just a couple of questions though; 1. how thick are the spacers?
>
> 2. are they the same
> thickness on front and rear axles?
>
> 3. are they simply a
> ring, or do they have grooves machined into them for the CV balls to
travel in?
>
> Your mention of drilled or slotted disc rotors interests me. Have you
> fitted aftermarket rotors, or "big brakes"?
>
> As for the petrol fumes, I couldn't see any obvious sign of leaks so the
> blocked vent may be a possibility worth exploring. The fumes were
particularly
> noticeable after a two hour drive through the mountains and along the
> freeway.
>
>
> Cheers, Beetle.
>



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20
HI folks,
 
for what it is worth, and possibly to cloud the issue further, my twin diff locked bus does not have spacers on the front, and I don't remember spacers being on the rear when I replaced those (inner) CV's when I did my engine conversion.
 
Cheers,
 
ANdy.