Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Albins Gears

1
Gary,
 
It started as a very faint moan, so faint that it could have been tyre noise or echo and difficult to track.  Over the next couple of days, I became more sure that I could hear something, so I sought a section of road that had solid buildings at the edge of the road and drove it close to the edge of the road.  When you can't leave the driver's seat, you can't walk around the vehicle to pinpoint a noise.  Driving close beside a building (even Armco will work) a strong echo comes back to the driver.  This confirmed that it was the pinion bearing.  Since it was there in both 2WD and AWD, it was the rear diff.  This developed over a couple of days and I stopped driving it immediately.
 
It is going to Volkspower to have the engine and gearbox removed and the gearbox rebuild will be done by Mike Baker, a very experienced VW transmission man.  I will take to opportunity to fit the higher road speed Albins gears at the same time.
 
While this is happening, I will drop the tank and have a serious shot at fixing the massively annoying fuel tank filling problem.  I have been itching to get at that for years!
 
The oil would be standard for the box.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Albins Gears

Hi Les

Sorry to hear this. Just curious, was it something that started as a noise and then got louder or did it happen suddenly?

What oil were you running in the box?

Who are you getting to do the work?

Cheers

Gary
 
.

2
Hi Les,

Sorry to hear you have suffered the failure - was there any signs / warning imminent to the failure?



On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 12:39 PM, Les Harris <leslieharris@optushome.com.au> wrote:

Quick question on gear ratios. 
 
I have done a pinion bearing, so the gearbox is coming out.  This is a good opportunity to put in a set of 3/4 Albins gears while it is out
 
Question: is anyone else running Albins 3/4 gear sets on the standard MV engine and, if so, what ratios are they using?
 
The available ratios for 3rd are:
1.18
1.14
1.08
 
For 4th:
0.70
0.77
 
Les
 
PS  The pinion bearing failure came as a bit of a shock to me.  After a lifetime of running many vehicles, this is the very first gearbox failure that I have had, and that includes rally vehicles.  This is a "first" that I could have done without.
 
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Murray Lee
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 12:07 PM
Subject: RE: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Tyres

Thanks for this Rodger, this is very useful information.

Cheers Murray

Dear Murray,

One of my son's is running 15" Coopers on a current Toyota Hilux (He's a forestry officer in Tasmania) about half his running is on gravel and he is impressed with the durability of them compared to his previous Goodrich. Hasn't had punctures/trouble with either and reckons handling about the same.

     I'm running 205R16C" Hankook Dynamic RF04 block pattern 8ply on my syncro (rotating 6) which have done 50,000 K between them and are about 60% worn.They ride fairly hard however but were relatively attractive on price without being in the el cheapo category.  Had no trouble when letting them down for sand although didn't drop them below 20lbs. May be worth a look if only on the Hankook internet site. <www.hankooktyre.com.au> 

Cheers

Roger

'92 Syncro Campervan

Melbourne


Murray Lee <murray.lee@usyd.edu.au> wrote:

Indeed, and get a little good boy stamp.





-----Original Message-----
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com on behalf of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: Sun 3/30/2008 5:30 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Tyres

I think that you may have to pay to get it done.



> Murray Lee <murray.lee@usyd.edu.au> wrote:
>
> mmm, yes it might mean rotating pretty regularly amongst other things.
> Don't worry, the only guarantee I really want is that they do the job I
> ask of them well and for a reasonable amount of kilometers.
>
> Cheers M
>
>
> 
>
> Gday Murray,
>
> Take the time to read the fineprint of the guarantee conditions. Bit of
> an education. I read one recently, bit like a battery, a pro-rata thingy
> but what you had to do on a regular basis including certified
> inspections to remain eligible was pretty mindblowing. I wouldn't hold
> too much store in the guarantee if I was you.
>
> Cheers.
>
> Ken
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Murray Lee"
> <murray.lee@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hey Ken,
> >
> > Yep, you are right, the BFG A/Ts only come in 215/75R 15. Which, is
> obviously OK and they are no doubt very good off roaders for a syncro.
> The copers are exactly the same dimensions as the goodyears road tyres
> that currently don the beast 205/70R 15, so they should fit in the spare
> holder and (although I'm sure they'll sit a little higher), I would have
> thought, been closer to what VW designed the thing to take in terms of
> gearing and the like?? But, as you say ground clearance is the big issue
> and 15mm can make all the difference in the right situation. I'd still
> be keen to hear from anyone whose running the coopers - they have a
> 90,000 guarantee and are reenforced - although this is not the same as
> the reenforcement on the BFGs which I suspect would still be tougher.
> >
> > Cheers Murray
> >
> >
> >
> > Gday Murray,
> >
> > I know you're after a 7o series tyre so you can stow the spare ok
> > underneath. In which case, regardless of stock availability, you seem
> to
> > be locked out of your preferred tyre anyway, the BFG A/T. They don't
> > list a 205/70R15 AT/R. Do you agree with that finding Murray?
> >
> > So the Cooper A/T may be the one for you. It only loses around 15mm
> > clearance height anyway compared to a BFG 215/75R15 A/T that's mostly
> > used on the syncro. Mind you, if you intend doing more sand driving as
> I
> > suspect, particularly when you'll need to deflate the tyres below
> 20psi,
> > every bit of extra height clearance will be appreciated!
> >
> > Cheers. Ken
> >
> >
> > --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "muzmarinator"
> > murray.lee@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all. In my ongoing search for the appropriate tyre I'm wondering
> if
> > anybody has run
> > > Coopers AT/R 205/70R15. On paper these seem like a good option and a
> > reasonable
> > > alternative to the BFG A/Ts. Slightly cheaper, slightly less
> > aggressive, reenforced and most
> > > importantly available.
> > >
> > > Cheers Murray
> > >
> >

 

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--
Regards
Mark


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3
Mark,
 
As I posted in reply to Gary, only a very faint noise but it progressed to being identifiable as the pinion gear over about a week of local short driving.  I have been working from home, so none of the usual freeway trips, where it would have become more obvious a lot sooner but could also have gone catastrophic when heavy freeway traffic masks individual noises.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Albins Gears

Hi Les,

Sorry to hear you have suffered the failure - was there any signs / warning imminent to the failure?



On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 12:39 PM, Les Harris <leslieharris@ optushome. com.au> wrote:

Quick question on gear ratios. 
 
I have done a pinion bearing, so the gearbox is coming out.  This is a good opportunity to put in a set of 3/4 Albins gears while it is out
 
Question: is anyone else running Albins 3/4 gear sets on the standard MV engine and, if so, what ratios are they using?
 
The available ratios for 3rd are:
1.18
1.14
1.08
 
For 4th:
0.70
0.77
 
Les
 
PS  The pinion bearing failure came as a bit of a shock to me.  After a lifetime of running many vehicles, this is the very first gearbox failure that I have had, and that includes rally vehicles.  This is a "first" that I could have done without.
 
 
 
 
.

4
Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Albins Gears
Thanks Les, interesting tip. Keep us up to date on progress, hopefully you’ll get a response on ratios from someone who knows.

Re oil, I know that some people run the GL5 Synthetic but there is no guarantee that a garage will top up with the right stuff. I’m planning on changing mine soon as I’ve no idea what is in it.

On another note that was discussed here with Mark, that of leaking windscreens. Mine had been leaking after I had a new screen fitted a few months back. I finally got around to sorting it out.

As I suspected the rubber wasn’t sealing properly so I gently prised a section up on the front edge (where the rain runs down by the wipers) to find a thick layer of grit sitting under the rubber between it and the screen. This was probably because the installer didn’t clean it but did disturb all the dirt under it when he put the new screen in. The rubber was in good shape or I would have gone for a new one at the time. Using a large flat bladed screwdriver with some rag wrapped around it, I cleaned out the dirt and so far no leaks.

Cheers
Gary

 

Gary,
It started as a very faint moan, so faint that it could have been tyre noise or echo and difficult to track.  Over the next couple of days, I became more sure that I could hear something, so I sought a section of road that had solid buildings at the edge of the road and drove it close to the edge of the road.  When you can't leave the driver's seat, you can't walk around the vehicle to pinpoint a noise.  Driving close beside a building (even Armco will work) a strong echo comes back to the driver.  This confirmed that it was the pinion bearing.  Since it was there in both 2WD and AWD, it was the rear diff.  This developed over a couple of days and I stopped driving it immediately.
It is going to Volkspower to have the engine and gearbox removed and the gearbox rebuild will be done by Mike Baker, a very experienced VW transmission man.  I will take to opportunity to fit the higher road speed Albins gears at the same time.
While this is happening, I will drop the tank and have a serious shot at fixing the massively annoying fuel tank filling problem.  I have been itching to get at that for years!
The oil would be standard for the box.
Les

----- Original Message -----
 
From:  Gary  Cookson <mailto:gary@twentytwentyone.net>  
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com  
 
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 1:37 PM
 
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Albins  Gears
 

 
 

 
Hi Les

Sorry to hear this. Just curious, was  it something that started as a noise and then got louder or did it happen  suddenly?

What oil were you running in the box?

Who are you  getting to do the work?

Cheers

Gary
 

.
 
 

    
5

What is the availability like on gears from Albins Gears?  They just told that I have a 13 week wait for 1&2 on a 1500 swing axle box I’m building.


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6
Michael,
 
I know that they are flat out all the time.  They happen to have a couple of Syncro 3/4 gear sets in stock, which is a bit unusual.  Ordinarily, it would be the same 12 - 13 weeks lead time.  I was talking to them today and was amazed to learn that they are shipping 900 kg of VW gears to the US EVERY WEEK!!!  That's a lot of gears!
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 4:57 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Albins Gears

What is the availability like on gears from Albins Gears?  They just told that I have a 13 week wait for 1&2 on a 1500 swing axle box I’m building.


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7
Message
Hi Les,
 
I am running my gearbox with Albins 3rd 1.18 and 4th 0.77
Tyres are coopers 16"  215 70 R16 M & S
Engine is standard MV
 
As you know, I am "about" to re-engine the Tristar with a Turbo Diesel 1.9
Driving in the above configuration can't be recommended. The 4th gear is seldom used (3000rpm=100kmh), it is more like an ornament really. However I have done some long trips lately and have survived.
If the Diesel is not going in soon, I'll fit my original alloy wheels with much smaller tyres. That might improve the drive a bit.
 
Hartmut
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Les Harris
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 5:29 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Albins Gears

Michael,
 
I know that they are flat out all the time.  They happen to have a couple of Syncro 3/4 gear sets in stock, which is a bit unusual.  Ordinarily, it would be the same 12 - 13 weeks lead time.  I was talking to them today and was amazed to learn that they are shipping 900 kg of VW gears to the US EVERY WEEK!!!  That's a lot of gears!
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 4:57 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Albins Gears

What is the availability like on gears from Albins Gears?  They just told that I have a 13 week wait for 1&2 on a 1500 swing axle box Iʼm building.


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8
Hartmut,
 
The 0.77, on calculation, gives 31.98 KPH per 1000 RPM, on standard tyres.  I don't have any figures for the tyres that you are running, but I am running 215 X 75 X 15 BFG's, which are 104% on the 8.5 X 14 BFG's, which would give 33.25 KPH per 1000 RPM.  This is getting close to the 100 KPH at 3000 RPM that you are seeing.
 
The reason for posting the question was largely directed at determining if the standard MV will pull a higher ratio top gear.  Yours is the first finite answer and a bit of a worry.
 
Thanks
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Elke Kiehn
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 8:07 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Albins Gears

Hi Les,
 
I am running my gearbox with Albins 3rd 1.18 and 4th 0.77
Tyres are coopers 16"  215 70 R16 M & S
Engine is standard MV
 
As you know, I am "about" to re-engine the Tristar with a Turbo Diesel 1.9
Driving in the above configuration can't be recommended. The 4th gear is seldom used (3000rpm=100kmh) , it is more like an ornament really. However I have done some long trips lately and have survived.
If the Diesel is not going in soon, I'll fit my original alloy wheels with much smaller tyres. That might improve the drive a bit.
 
Hartmut
 
 
.

9
Les,

sorry to hear that you're suffering from one of the dreaded 'Syncro Transmission'
problems.
I would advise trying to get hold of Andy (of the Ossyncro variety - there are a lot of us!)
to ask his advice on ratios.

From memory, he fitted the 0.70 4th gear and was very unhappy with it when running his
MV engine, and was still unhappy even after fitting the 2.5 litre Subaru. He did say that he
was carrying a LOT of kgs. though. If he were to do it again, I think he said he'd put in a
0.82 if that is what can be supplied. I need to ring him myself next weekend so will ask if
he has heard from you.

From all that I have read, I would support the suggestion to fit the SA oiling plates whilst
you have the box apart. I have a set, which I would be happy to 'loan' to you if you if you
can organise another set from elsewhere but can't get them to your mechanic in time.
Amongst others, I know that Mike Plompen sells them. Alternatively, it is possible that
Yurik may have an extra set from when Gordon visited him.

Good luck with it all.

Andy.
10
> > Re oil, I know that some people run the GL5 Synthetic but there is no
> > guarantee that a garage will top up with the right stuff.

GL5 should not be used in the gearbox. It destroys the synchros.

Phill