I thought maybe you fell off the earth. Seems like you and Oda made up about
10% of the list traffic for a while there and then neither one of ya has
posted in months.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug in Calif" <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: Need Viscous Coupling Refresher Course - '91 Syncro

> My vc in my 87 syncro just recently gave up, it was agressive in tight
> turns
> but no more. I was backing up my small utility trailer accross some mulch
> in
> my yard and started to spin, first thing I did is engage the rear diff
> lock,
> still spinning, I thought "wow" spinning all three, looked outside and saw
> the fronts doing nuttin. (bad vc)  as soon as I can get the cash I will be
> installing the manual decoupler and SOLID shaft in place of the vc and
> will
> never look back.  IMHO the vanagon should have had the manual decoupler
> all
> along. If it were mine to design I would have designed it with free
> wheeling
> locking front hubs and a low range transfer case so you would have had a
> SUPER SUPER low gear and 4 speeds for off road.
>
> The dreamer...
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "vanagon teepee" <vanagonteepee@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2005 6:03 PM
> Subject: Need Viscous Coupling Refresher Course - '91 Syncro
>
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I have some very basic questions about the viscous coupling and the
>> best 4WD practices/ operation for my '91 Syncro Camper.  I used to
>> know some of this stuff, but it's been a while and now I only know
>> enough to ask the questions. :-)
>>
>> 1) Is it accurate to call the Syncro an "on demand"  4 wheel drive or
>> All Wheel Drive?  It's my understanding that the viscous coupling is,
>> in effect "always on"..with the discs always spinning and ready to
>> transfer power instantly to the wheels with traction. Is that
>> accurate?
>>
>> 2) Is it nonetheless possible for my viscous coupling to somehow be
>> broken or not functioning?  I was testing it recently starting from a
>> stop going up a steep slippery road, and I got the rear tires spinning
>> nicely but with no obvious, notable help from the front tires kicking
>> in.  (I am not 100% certain about this...they may have a little.)
>>
>> 3) When I pull out the differential lock knob, nothing happens...no
>> light, no lock that I can tell -- nothing. What's the likely cause?
>>
>> 4) Under most circumstances where you would want the 4WD to actively
>> kick in whenever needed (driving in snow for example) is it still
>> better to keep the differential unlocked?
>>
>> What ARE situations where locking the differential makes a big
> difference.?
>>
>> Thank you.