Greetings,

I'm wondering if someone can tell me whether the noise I'm hearing from my
left front wheel is a cv joint, a wheel bearing, a brake issue, a rock in my
tire or a yellow bellied undercarriage van pecker.  I apologize if this is
something which has been posted exhaustively.

Here are the characteristics:

   - The sound being made is a tack tack tack tack sound
   - This sound happens very infrequently - three to four weeks have
   passed between concertos
   - It can go away after driving for five minutes
   - The sound isn't prevalent when I corner or turn - seemingly just
   when I'm driving straight ahead
   - The sound has only occured while driving at speeds in town

I've first experienced the noise about a month ago.  I was driving my van to
work and heard the tack tack tack sound.  I got to work, parked my van and
returned 8 hours later to go home.  On the way home, the sound had
disappeared - until I was almost home.  This was a trip of about 9 kms with
quite a bit of starting and stopping...city driving.

When I got home - I jacked up the front end of the Syncro and got the front
tires spinning - listening for any crunching or ticking sounds - a wheel
bearing or a cv joint perhaps?.  Nothing!  I turned the steering wheel hard
both ways and listened - still nothing.

The following morning I drove the van to work and the sound had completely
gone away - that is until two days ago.  This time the sound didn't last
very long, only for about five mintues.  I've put on about 40 kms since
without incident.

So I'm a little perplexed especially because the sound doesn't occur when
I'm making tight turns.

Thanks folks - for your input.

Bruce Todd
86 Syncro Westfalia
Vancouver BC