Front suspension and control arms!

1
Just sorting the van for its first roadworthy. Opted to do it all myself to 'bond' with the beast. Hmm. THe lower control arm bushes I bought look shorter than the ones that are in the cast iron control arm right now (which failed though they look fine!) Does the rubber kind of expand to fatten out at the ends where the new bushing currently has a taper? )before the wide lip) It's the right part number, but wonder whether there are 2 types of bushing.. one for cast and one for sheet iron. (its a 1990 syncro).

Also, the front outer CV joint is a bit loose (after removing and cleaning). Asked vw for a price and a new one is $400! Any ideas for a cheaper one .... has front diff lock on van if that makes a difference.

THanks guys!
2

 

Nice way to bond with your van. The hardest part on the whole syncro to replace. No joke! Make sure you have access to a good hydraulic press with 10 tonnes plus of pressure and a conicle guide to help prevent damage to the bush. Plenty of lube will help get these suckers pressed through. There are people who have opted two piece poly bushings due to the difficulty of pressing in the rubber bush.
 
To answer your question yes the control arm bushings appear much shorter before the are pressed in and will stretch considerably to fill the gap. I asked the same question when I bought new bushings for mine thinking they were actually rear trailing arm bushings.
 
Try van-cafe.com for a front outer cv. $168.95 each. They can usually find pretty good shipping rates to oz!

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: nwjfletcher@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:07:54 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
Just sorting the van for its first roadworthy. Opted to do it all myself to 'bond' with the beast. Hmm. THe lower control arm bushes I bought look shorter than the ones that are in the cast iron control arm right now (which failed though they look fine!) Does the rubber kind of expand to fatten out at the ends where the new bushing currently has a taper? )before the wide lip) It's the right part number, but wonder whether there are 2 types of bushing.. one for cast and one for sheet iron. (its a 1990 syncro).

Also, the front outer CV joint is a bit loose (after removing and cleaning). Asked vw for a price and a new one is $400! Any ideas for a cheaper one .... has front diff lock on van if that makes a difference.

THanks guys!


3
 The front cv joints are the same for a front diff with or without diff lock ..... As for the front  inner control arm bushes there is a trade secret on getting these in  !!!!! My legendary Syncro mechanic wont let me know how he does them but l know it only takes him 10 to 15 minutes a side , but what do expect from someone who has worked on these since they first appeared on our shores.......oh by the way did you just buy your syncro recently ??? to have a front diff lock you dont see that everyday ...........


From: erik Hoeflinger <erikhoeflinger@hotmail.com>
To: syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 23 February, 2011 7:35:27 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 

 

Nice way to bond with your van. The hardest part on the whole syncro to replace. No joke! Make sure you have access to a good hydraulic press with 10 tonnes plus of pressure and a conicle guide to help prevent damage to the bush. Plenty of lube will help get these suckers pressed through. There are people who have opted two piece poly bushings due to the difficulty of pressing in the rubber bush.
 
To answer your question yes the control arm bushings appear much shorter before the are pressed in and will stretch considerably to fill the gap. I asked the same question when I bought new bushings for mine thinking they were actually rear trailing arm bushings.
 
Try van-cafe.com for a front outer cv. $168.95 each. They can usually find pretty good shipping rates to oz!

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: nwjfletcher@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:07:54 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
Just sorting the van for its first roadworthy. Opted to do it all myself to 'bond' with the beast. Hmm. THe lower control arm bushes I bought look shorter than the ones that are in the cast iron control arm right now (which failed though they look fine!) Does the rubber kind of expand to fatten out at the ends where the new bushing currently has a taper? )before the wide lip) It's the right part number, but wonder whether there are 2 types of bushing.. one for cast and one for sheet iron. (its a 1990 syncro).

Also, the front outer CV joint is a bit loose (after removing and cleaning). Asked vw for a price and a new one is $400! Any ideas for a cheaper one .... has front diff lock on van if that makes a difference.

THanks guys!



 
4
Hi All,  talking front diff....What do I have to do to 'unstuck' mine ?? it's not working for about 2 years now. Has anybody taken one out ?  Hart
 

 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: outbacktrakka@y7mail.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:10:27 -0800
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
 The front cv joints are the same for a front diff with or without diff lock ..... As for the front  inner control arm bushes there is a trade secret on getting these in  !!!!! My legendary Syncro mechanic wont let me know how he does them but l know it only takes him 10 to 15 minutes a side , but what do expect from someone who has worked on these since they first appeared on our shores.......oh by the way did you just buy your syncro recently ??? to have a front diff lock you dont see that everyday ...........


From: erik Hoeflinger <erikhoeflinger@hotmail.com>
To: syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 23 February, 2011 7:35:27 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 


 

Nice way to bond with your van. The hardest part on the whole syncro to replace. No joke! Make sure you have access to a good hydraulic press with 10 tonnes plus of pressure and a conicle guide to help prevent damage to the bush. Plenty of lube will help get these suckers pressed through. There are people who have opted two piece poly bushings due to the difficulty of pressing in the rubber bush.
 
To answer your question yes the control arm bushings appear much shorter before the are pressed in and will stretch considerably to fill the gap. I asked the same question when I bought new bushings for mine thinking they were actually rear trailing arm bushings.
 
Try van-cafe.com for a front outer cv. $168.95 each. They can usually find pretty good shipping rates to oz!

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: nwjfletcher@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:07:54 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
Just sorting the van for its first roadworthy. Opted to do it all myself to 'bond' with the beast. Hmm. THe lower control arm bushes I bought look shorter than the ones that are in the cast iron control arm right now (which failed though they look fine!) Does the rubber kind of expand to fatten out at the ends where the new bushing currently has a taper? )before the wide lip) It's the right part number, but wonder whether there are 2 types of bushing.. one for cast and one for sheet iron. (its a 1990 syncro).

Also, the front outer CV joint is a bit loose (after removing and cleaning). Asked vw for a price and a new one is $400! Any ideas for a cheaper one .... has front diff lock on van if that makes a difference.

THanks guys!



 
5
Just want to interject, Michael. That may be true for most Syncros delivered to OZ. That is not the case with all Syncros.
Cheers,
BenT

On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 2:10 AM, Michael Farrell <outbacktrakka@y7mail.com> wrote:


The front cv joints are the same for a front diff with or without diff lock .....
6
Hart,
 
Try my trick with lots of WD 40 and a small air compressor. Pull off the vacuum hoses and pump the air in each one until eventually the diff lock pinion should start to operate.
 
Worked for me and mine was very stuck.
 
Cheers,
 
Skot
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 9:21 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 

Hi All,  talking front diff....What do I have to do to 'unstuck' mine ?? it's not working for about 2 years now. Has anybody taken one out ?  Hart
 

 

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: outbacktrakka@y7mail.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:10:27 -0800
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
 The front cv joints are the same for a front diff with or without diff lock ..... As for the front  inner control arm bushes there is a trade secret on getting these in  !!!!! My legendary Syncro mechanic wont let me know how he does them but l know it only takes him 10 to 15 minutes a side , but what do expect from someone who has worked on these since they first appeared on our shores.......oh by the way did you just buy your syncro recently ??? to have a front diff lock you dont see that everyday ...........


From: erik Hoeflinger <erikhoeflinger@hotmail.com>
To: syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 23 February, 2011 7:35:27 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 


 

Nice way to bond with your van. The hardest part on the whole syncro to replace. No joke! Make sure you have access to a good hydraulic press with 10 tonnes plus of pressure and a conicle guide to help prevent damage to the bush. Plenty of lube will help get these suckers pressed through. There are people who have opted two piece poly bushings due to the difficulty of pressing in the rubber bush.
 
To answer your question yes the control arm bushings appear much shorter before the are pressed in and will stretch considerably to fill the gap. I asked the same question when I bought new bushings for mine thinking they were actually rear trailing arm bushings.
 
Try van-cafe.com for a front outer cv. $168.95 each. They can usually find pretty good shipping rates to oz!

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: nwjfletcher@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:07:54 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
Just sorting the van for its first roadworthy. Opted to do it all myself to 'bond' with the beast. Hmm. THe lower control arm bushes I bought look shorter than the ones that are in the cast iron control arm right now (which failed though they look fine!) Does the rubber kind of expand to fatten out at the ends where the new bushing currently has a taper? )before the wide lip) It's the right part number, but wonder whether there are 2 types of bushing.. one for cast and one for sheet iron. (its a 1990 syncro).

Also, the front outer CV joint is a bit loose (after removing and cleaning). Asked vw for a price and a new one is $400! Any ideas for a cheaper one .... has front diff lock on van if that makes a difference.

THanks guys!



 

7
Thanks Bugger mate, will try and let you know if it worx..... Hart
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: spbconsulting@bigpond.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:23:42 +1100
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
Hart,
 
Try my trick with lots of WD 40 and a small air compressor. Pull off the vacuum hoses and pump the air in each one until eventually the diff lock pinion should start to operate.
 
Worked for me and mine was very stuck.
 
Cheers,
 
Skot
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 9:21 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 

Hi All,  talking front diff....What do I have to do to 'unstuck' mine ?? it's not working for about 2 years now. Has anybody taken one out ?  Hart
 

 

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: outbacktrakka@y7mail.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:10:27 -0800
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
 The front cv joints are the same for a front diff with or without diff lock ..... As for the front  inner control arm bushes there is a trade secret on getting these in  !!!!! My legendary Syncro mechanic wont let me know how he does them but l know it only takes him 10 to 15 minutes a side , but what do expect from someone who has worked on these since they first appeared on our shores.......oh by the way did you just buy your syncro recently ??? to have a front diff lock you dont see that everyday ...........


From: erik Hoeflinger <erikhoeflinger@hotmail.com>
To: syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 23 February, 2011 7:35:27 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 


 
Nice way to bond with your van. The hardest part on the whole syncro to replace. No joke! Make sure you have access to a good hydraulic press with 10 tonnes plus of pressure and a conicle guide to help prevent damage to the bush. Plenty of lube will help get these suckers pressed through. There are people who have opted two piece poly bushings due to the difficulty of pressing in the rubber bush.
 
To answer your question yes the control arm bushings appear much shorter before the are pressed in and will stretch considerably to fill the gap. I asked the same question when I bought new bushings for mine thinking they were actually rear trailing arm bushings.
 
Try van-cafe.com for a front outer cv. $168.95 each. They can usually find pretty good shipping rates to oz!


To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: nwjfletcher@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:07:54 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Front suspension and control arms!

 
Just sorting the van for its first roadworthy. Opted to do it all myself to 'bond' with the beast. Hmm. THe lower control arm bushes I bought look shorter than the ones that are in the cast iron control arm right now (which failed though they look fine!) Does the rubber kind of expand to fatten out at the ends where the new bushing currently has a taper? )before the wide lip) It's the right part number, but wonder whether there are 2 types of bushing.. one for cast and one for sheet iron. (its a 1990 syncro).

Also, the front outer CV joint is a bit loose (after removing and cleaning). Asked vw for a price and a new one is $400! Any ideas for a cheaper one .... has front diff lock on van if that makes a difference.

THanks guys!



 


8
You can get the front lower bushes out on the car.Take out lower control arm bolt,lower shock bolt and lower sway bar.Lever or pull down on the control arm,cut remaining rubber from around bush.Then using a long bolt,nuts and washers and two big sockets,and a spanner and ratchet,wind the bush out.Lube with wd40.
This is where it gets hard if you use standard replacement one piece bushes because you CANT do this job on the car.
Easier solution.Get two piece urathane bushes,I got mine from Syncro Hospital.I am sure you could get them from the States if you want.
Turns a nightmare into not a bad job.
No press,dont remove lower arm,minible swearing,just another Syncro fun job!
BenC

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "nwjfletcher" <nwjfletcher@...> wrote:
>
> Just sorting the van for its first roadworthy. Opted to do it all myself to 'bond' with the beast. Hmm. THe lower control arm bushes I bought look shorter than the ones that are in the cast iron control arm right now (which failed though they look fine!) Does the rubber kind of expand to fatten out at the ends where the new bushing currently has a taper? )before the wide lip) It's the right part number, but wonder whether there are 2 types of bushing.. one for cast and one for sheet iron. (its a 1990 syncro).
>
> Also, the front outer CV joint is a bit loose (after removing and cleaning). Asked vw for a price and a new one is $400! Any ideas for a cheaper one .... has front diff lock on van if that makes a difference.
>
> THanks guys!
>