That sounds like a good price.  I have been dreading the $750 number I have heard about for the job.  Would that price include the high quality parts and racing shop-balanced, as you suggested in your posting?  For this price I'd do it as PM.

Tom Salicos
'87 Westy Syncro

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kenneth Wilford 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 6:27 AM
  Subject: Re: syncro ujoint replacement.

  The problem you have with doing this is that from the VW dealer none of the
  service parts for the syncro driveshaft are available.  They do not sell
  u-joints, nor do they sell the rubber flex disc that you need to rebuild the
  shaft.  They want you to bring in your shaft and replace it as a unit.  That
  is all they have part numbers for, a new shaft or a rebuilt shaft.

  I sell new u-joints for the syncro for $99 each (German) and new rubber
  flexdisc for $40 (German).  These are made by OE manufacturers for VW and
  BMW so the quality is high.  One things I recommend after you rebuild your
  shaft is to take it to a racing shop and have the driveshaft balanced.  If
  you do this you should be no problem doing your own shaft.  We are also
  toying with the idea of rebuilding shafts here at Van-Again.  We are
  thinking about selling them for $350 rebuilt/exchange needed (we would need
  your old shaft as a core.  Let me know if you are interested.

  Thanks,
  Ken Wilford
  John 3:16
  http://www.vanagain.com
  Phone: (856)-327-4936
  Fax: (856)-327-2242

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
  Of Ki
  Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 5:23 PM
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Subject: syncro ujoint replacement.

  looks like i'm going to have to replace my ujoints as the driveshaft has
  started getting pretty noisy at around 40mph.  i'm kind of confused as
  tothe process.  can i just take it to my mechanic and have him deal with
  it?  what is rolling your own?  i'd like to use vw oem parts.  also what
  would be the entire cost of getting this done including labor?

  thanks.
  ki