The spacer exists and needs to be there.  Also, it requires the front inner
CV bolts to be a little longer than the rears, so be sure the correct bolts
are in there.  It is common for mechanics to replace them with the short
ones, not knowing they're different.
tx,
bmc  :)
Ben McCafferty
ben@volkscafe.com

Volks Cafe
1823 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA  95062
831-426-1244
http://volkscafe.com

> From: "Milo's Kitchen" <sagmoore@ZOOMINTERNET.NET>
> Reply-To: "Milo's Kitchen" <sagmoore@ZOOMINTERNET.NET>
> Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 18:36:03 -0500
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Syncro front driveshaft spacers
>
> I haven't seen this in the archives, so here goes. At approx 120,000 miles
> (late 1999) my '87 syncro needed new CV joints, one front and one rear. I
> didn't have a garage at the time (in the Winter) so I bought 4 new joints
> from Bus Depot and payed a local VW ex-dealer mechanic working at a local
> gas station to change them.
>
> After the first week the LH front outer disconnected itself and tore the
> boot, (I believe the snap ring released), but he repaired it at no charge.
> Now at 145,000 miles, I have experienced what I can only describe as
> occasional "snatching" of the steering wheel (a sudden quick jerk of the
> steering wheel to the right and back to straight) at highway speeds. Not
> enough to send you off into the weeds but certainly enough to get your
> immediate and undying attention. No other clicking noises, torn boots,
> grinding noises, wobbling wheels etc are present.
>
> I took the LH front axle off. According to the book of Bentley on page
> 40.15, there is a "spacer washer" at the inboard end. I do not have such an
> animal, nor do I have an associated gasket. Wonderful.
>
> Question is, is the spacer a dealer only part? Where can I get 2 of these?
> Is it really there or removed in subsequent service bulletins? Someone BTDT?
> I think this might explain a lot, as without the spacer the joints would not
> have been in their proper orientation, stretched, as it were.
>
> Thanks,
> Dave