Drive-train Problems

1
I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
Adelaide. About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
good Syncro mechanic here?

Michael.
2
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 11:58 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Drive-train Problems

I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
Adelaide. About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
good Syncro mechanic here?

Michael.

3
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 11:58 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Drive-train Problems

I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
Adelaide. About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
good Syncro mechanic here?

Michael.

4
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "blayney_michael"
<embkb2@...> wrote:
>
> I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
> Adelaide. About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
> tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
> badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
> definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
> lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
> I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
> each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
> I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
> corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
> Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
> good Syncro mechanic here?
>
> Michael.
>just a thought lnspect engine and box mounts
Pete
5
Michael,
 
Sorry about the blank replies but my email went quite mad and sent the reply as soon as it opened.
 
If you have heard a tinkling from one of the CV's, you can just about eliminate everything else.  The other two main causes of vibration are tyres, and this seems unlikely in your case, and the prop shaft.  An out of balance prop shaft can cause vibration and a rumbling, but this again unlikely in your case.  The badly vibrating gear lever, in conjunction with the noise, tend to point to a worn CV.
 
When I bought mine, it had an intermittent knocking at wheel speed.  Various things were examined but nothing found to be amiss, so I put it in to Volkspower (Melbourne) and had all of the CV's stripped and examined.  Several of them were worn and one particularly so.  I had them replaced and that fixed it for good.
 
The only member that I know of in South Australia is Andy in Ceduna, which is a long way from Adelaide, so he is the only SA resource available to us.  (There are probably Syncro owners in Adelaide, but not known to us.)  Since the 2WD T3 has the same rear drive shafts and CV's, one could expect that any good VW service workshop could deal with it.
 
Andy, any suggestions?
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 11:58 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Drive-train Problems

I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
Adelaide. About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
good Syncro mechanic here?

Michael.

6

Hi Michael,

 

The “tinkling” noise is probably due to a dry CV. When you change a tire the drive shaft in the CV slides, as the vehicle is lifted and lowered,  and lubricates the

the CV ball bearings with residual grease.  That is why the “situation” improves for a while. The vibration you feel in the gear leaver suggest wear in the CV.

I do not know of any good Syncro mechanic in Adelaide but suggest you go to a CV Joint Centre (there should be several places – look them up in the yellow pages) and they will quickly assess your problem and would no doubt source a new or remachined CV if you need one.

 

All the best.

 

Yurik

16’’ Syncro

Perth WA

 

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of blayney_michael
Sent: Friday, 26 October 2007 9:58 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Drive-train Problems

 

I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
Adelaide . About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
good Syncro mechanic here?

Michael.

7
Hi Michael,

the symptoms you describe, in my opinion, would suggest a failing universal joint in the
centre shaft, I would strongly suggest removing the centre shaft before driving too much
further. The vibration caused by a failing universal has been known to break the gear box
housing. It's relatively easy to remove, any mechanic should be able to take it out (or if
your handy with a spanner it can be removed with out even jacking the van up) Once
removed a test drive will reveal if that is the cause of the vibration.

Steve.




> ----- Original Message -----
> From: blayney_michael
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 11:58 AM
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Drive-train Problems
>
>
> I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
> Adelaide. About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
> tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
> badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
> definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
> lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
> I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
> each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
> I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
> corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
> Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
> good Syncro mechanic here?
>
> Michael.
>
8
Hi Michael,

for a more detailed explanation go to http://www.vanagon.com/ in the syncro-
technica section the is a link to an article entitled ""good vibrations " not so good in your
Syncro "

Steve.

> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: blayney_michael
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 11:58 AM
> > Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Drive-train Problems
> >
> >
> > I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
> > Adelaide. About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
> > tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
> > badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
> > definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
> > lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
> > I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
> > each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
> > I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
> > corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
> > Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
> > good Syncro mechanic here?
> >
> > Michael.
> >
>
9

If Yurik is right it is sometimes possible to reach under to the CV joint and push/pull the joint cover up and down over the shart with your hand (not well described I know). This regreases the joint from the residual under the cover. This has worked a treat for me in the past. Probably depends on the degree of ware.

 

Cheers Murray

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Yurik Orlowsky
Sent: Friday, 26 October 2007 12:35 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Drive-train Problems

 

Hi Michael,

 

The “tinkling” noise is probably due to a dry CV. When you change a tire the drive shaft in the CV slides, as the vehicle is lifted and lowered,  and lubricates the

the CV ball bearings with residual grease.  That is why the “situation” improves for a while. The vibration you feel in the gear leaver suggest wear in the CV.

I do not know of any good Syncro mechanic in Adelaide but suggest you go to a CV Joint Centre (there should be several places – look them up in the yellow pages) and they will quickly assess your problem and would no doubt source a new or remachined CV if you need one.

 

All the best.

 

Yurik

16’’ Syncro

Perth WA

 

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of blayney_michael
Sent: Friday, 26 October 2007 9:58 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Drive-train Problems

 

I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
Adelaide . About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
good Syncro mechanic here?

Michael.

10
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "blayney_michael" <embkb2@...> wrote:
>
> I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to........


Michael,
I live in Adelaide, have owned a Syncro for the past 11 years and am a member of this forum
and recommend either of these mechanics:

1) Andrew from "German Auto" Melrose Park. Pros : Very Experienced and good to deal with.
Cons: Work may get done by another mechanic and can be expensive.
2) Hans from V+T Motors Lonsdale. Pros: Very good mechanic and affordable. Cons: Quite
busy , workshop not as prestigeous and a bit further out of town.

Nick Bellgrove.
11
Nick,
 
Sorry for missing on the fact that you are in Adelaide.  I skipped through the list of members details that I recently started for just this reason - being able to locate help if a member needs it.  Rest assured that I have updated the list to show that you are in Adelaide.  And thanks for the information you have furnished to Michael.
 
Les
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: nickbellau
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 1:49 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Drive-train Problems

.

12
Michael,

I would support Nicks recommendations.

I have used Andrew (when I want or need to pay a mechanic ;-) ) since I bought my first
VW in 1981.
He knows Syncros pretty well I think and I know of one other he maintains as well as the
odd bit of work on mine (and Nick's?)

He is not cheap but in reality, no mechanics are these days.

I have not been to V&T Motors for 10 years or so because as Nick says, they are further
out of town.

There used to be many more VW centred workshops around but alas, there are much fewer
these days.

As Yurik suggested, there are plenty of CV joint places in the yellow pages as another
option.

Let us know how you got on, and we'd love to here tales of your adventure thus far.

Cheers,

Andy.

PS. Yurik, I have lost your email address, could you please drop me a line so as I can get a
message to you?

rafear@internode.on.net
13
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "blayney_michael" <embkb2@...> wrote:
>
> I've just come across the Great Central Road and down the Centre to
> Adelaide. About 1000km back I noticed the rear passenger side CV
> tinkling and then bit of road noise at 80kmh. This has progressed to a
> badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
> definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through the
> lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.
> I've rotated the spare around to make sure it's not a crook tyre and
> each time I've changed it the situation seems to improve for a while.
> I'm running Kumhos and perhaps they could be the problem after the
> corrugations and heat, but it seems more drastic than that.
> Anyone around Adelaide can give me an opinion - or else recommend a
> good Syncro mechanic here?
>
> Michael.
>



Michael,

I am also in Adelaide, and can recommend another mechanic -
Silvano, at S & T Automotive Repairs Ph 83591339 at Blair Athol
He used to be service manager at Light Motors long ago.

Bob Turnbull
14
Ah, little by little by little, I am learning where people are.
 
Bob, you have been on the list for a long time.  I have been very busy recently and have had to drop the Syncro Profile project temporarily, but I now have a bit of time available.  Can I do a Profile on your Syncro?  I need a couple of pictures and a description.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 11:15 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Drive-train Problems

I am also in Adelaide, and can recommend another mechanic -
Silvano, at S & T Automotive Repairs Ph 83591339 at Blair Athol
He used to be service manager at Light Motors long ago.

Bob Turnbull

.

15
Thank you heaps for the replies and advice - truly appreciated. I'll
remove the CVs and axle and go for a test run first then, and try the
Tailshaft removal second. I'll start a new Post on the Great Central
Road and give a rundown.
16
> badly vibrating gear lever - sometimes worse than others - and some
> definately unfriendly noise when accerlerating. Especially through
the
> lower gears - not so bad when up and running at 80kmh.



Hi Michael

100% Remove your tailshaft/propshaft before further damage!

A couple of months back as Melissa and I headed into BrisVegas we had
similar vibration issues with our Syncro.
After looking around the driveline in various rest areas and truck
stops it wasnt until i took to the uni joints with a big lever before
i could actually find the problem.
The rear uni joint was worn.

A simple 8 bolt removal and a short drive and all vibration had
vanished with the tailshaft.
It has been reported how much damage can occur to gearbox etc. if you
continue to drive with worn uni joints.
Dont forget to mark the flanges before removal so realignment is not
a problem.

P.S. Does anyone know where i can get uni joints replaced in Brissy?
Our tailshaft is at the moment located on the roofrack!!

Cheers
Andy
17
> P.S. Does anyone know where i can get uni joints replaced in Brissy?
> Our tailshaft is at the moment located on the roofrack!!
>
> Cheers
> Andy

Give Rudi a call 07 3408 6669

He does that sort of thing.

Phill
18
Rudi is a long-time list member, lives on Bribie if I have my information correct.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2007 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Drive-train Problems

> P.S. Does anyone know where i can get uni joints replaced in Brissy?
> Our tailshaft is at the moment located on the roofrack!!
>
> Cheers
> Andy

Give Rudi a call 07 3408 6669

He does that sort of thing.

Phill

19
Thanks for the advice Andy. I checked and sure enough, with a lever on
the Uni, it shows up plainly. I'll replace that and then see what
gives.
I rang Hardi-Spicer in Adelaide and they have only one listing for
Volkswagen Unis - with a cup diameter of 27mm and overall dimension
with cups on of 69.8mm. That seems the right figures.
They quoted $190.00 each, with 2 available in Australia - one in
Brisbane and one in Melbourne. I've grabbed the one in Melbourne so
you might be able to grab the Brisbane one. The Part No. was K5-A767.

Michael.
20
Here is the information that I have from Rudi.

here is the info about uni/joint

HARDY SPICER

K5-A590

U/J-KIT EG/WALTER SCHEID/BYPY

CODE 244 507


Phill



> blayney_michael <embkb2@bigpond.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks for the advice Andy. I checked and sure enough, with a lever on
> the Uni, it shows up plainly. I'll replace that and then see what
> gives.
> I rang Hardi-Spicer in Adelaide and they have only one listing for
> Volkswagen Unis - with a cup diameter of 27mm and overall dimension
> with cups on of 69.8mm. That seems the right figures.
> They quoted $190.00 each, with 2 available in Australia - one in
> Brisbane and one in Melbourne. I've grabbed the one in Melbourne so
> you might be able to grab the Brisbane one. The Part No. was K5-A767.
>
> Michael.