Maybe what you really needed was a set of tires. Of course the tire could
have been damaged or punctured by a road object but if it just blew out from
use it must have had some warning indicators.

As I've written in the past, there is no sudden engagement or disengagement
of the viscous coupling. There is just a varying limit of the torque
applied. Proper driving technique in a blow out situation is to actually
accelerate so engine power over comes the increased resistance of the downed
tire and then slowing down gently and pulling off the road. Having power got
the front wheels would actually help you keep it straight and under control
until pulling over. BTDT and it worked for my wife many years ago when the
one of the OEM Michelins let loose.

Dennis

>From: "mike ." <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
>Reply-To: "mike ." <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Decoupler
>Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:51:20 -0700
>
>Vanna-types,
>
>I got a decoupler last week from Kirk. Makes a lot of difference around
>town
>as my VC was locking up more and more easily.
>
>Then coming back down I5 blew the left rear tire. Shredded it big time.
>Would not have wanted to drop into 4wd at 70 mph so I'm really glad I got
>the decoupler!
>
>Mike