I'm still attempting to determine if the thumping I'm hearing is a symptom
of the CV joints or the transaxle. The thumping begins at about 35 MPH (just
when shifting into 3rd gear). I can't say for sure if I've ever heard it
thump on the top end of 2nd gear. It thumps loader when the engine is
pushing harder (up hills, accellerating), and this may be partly why I don't
hear it at the high end of 2nd- usually there isn't much pushing going on at
that time.  It also thumps in 4th gear.

The thumping is much slower than the rate the wheels are turning. at 35 MPH
it's about 1 thump/sec.  To me, this is perplexing.

Does this at all describe typical CV joint failure? I can't produce the
thumping around turns. I can't seem to take a turn sharp/fast enough to
produce it- I keep laying the van on its side. What a pain. When a CV when
on my rabbit, it was obvious.  I could hear which side, and it was loud
around turns.  With this van I can't tell which side it's on. My wife thinks
it's coming from the passenger side though.

Bradley Flubacher
State College, PA
'82 VW diesel westy
'84 GL wasserboxer