Yah the transaxle feels tight, shifts good.  About 120k miles (odo broke,
been fixed since).

I hope it's not a transaxle, trying to fix this up on the cheap.  I've
owned about 10 various cars so far, never heard a sound like this.  I had
a '68 Ford truck once that the rear diff was so loose you could turn the
driveshaft about 25 degrees by hand with the wheels still.  Made a THWUNK
sound when you put it in gear and going down hills.  Never made a grindy
sound though.

Can I check the diff by leaving it in first gear say, and jacking up one
wheel and turning it back and forth to see if it feels sloppy?  How much
would a "good" transaxle move in this situation?

Thanks,

Ryan

VWNut Hawk said:
> YES but their should be slop when accell and deaccel?
> (no expert)
>
>>>> Tony Polson <tp@WHSMITHNET.CO.UK> 1/15/2004 3:41:37 PM >>>
> Ryan Press writes:
>
>> I have an '86 Vanagon Westfalia and sometimes when I round corners
> quickly
>> I get a funny grinding noise in the back.  It is very distinct, and
> it is
>> either there or not there; when you hear it is the same volume.
> Sounds
>> like a tire rubbing but it seems to be related to engine speed.  The
> tires
>> are the stock size and there are no visible signs of rubbing.  So I
>> replaced the four rear engine mounts which didn't look so good; so I
>> thought that was it.  Nope.  I checked the rear wheel bearings and
> they
>> were loose.  Changed those out.  Nope.
>>
>> So I am thinking maybe it is the transaxle mount?  I can't see
> anything
>> under there that looks like it is rubbing!
>
>
> Hi Ryan,
>
> You may have a worn transaxle.  The grinding noise you describe could
> be
> coming from a worn differential.  It would only be audible when
> cornering.
>
> Tony
>