Thanks,

  Correction:
   It IS vehicle speed related as well as RPM-related, I guess.
  There is a specific 'range' (probably about 1500-3500rpm)  where the noise
is more pronounced as I accelerate away...It's just difficult to say
exactly, but it sort of sounds like the suspension goes 'all-steel' for a
few seconds as the Van rocks back onto the right rear accelerating away from
a stop..That description may be a bit 'Harsh'...it's not really that loud
(yet?) but more of a faint.."RRrr, Rrr,, rrr..rr..r..." as I pull out onto
busy highways...I have not noticed it going uphill on twisty roads or
crawling along backcountry trails.

  A quiet large paved lot is a good idea, I'll  try that..

  Don Hanson
----- Original Message -----
From: "neil N" <musomuso@gmail.com>
To: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@gorge.net>
Cc: <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: CV joint 'indicators'?

> Try driving in circles CCW and CW in a parking lot. Get a helper to
> listen out the PS window to compare notes. (which side is it coming
> from?)
>
> CV sounds should be related to vehicle speed, not RPM's. If it's
> related to RPM's, then it is likely something else.
>
> Neil.
>
> On Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 8:12 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >  Maybe I'm hearing things...
> >
> >   But, it seems when I accelerate away from a stop while turning left,
my 84
> >  5sp manual makes a little extra noise from the rear area.  It's an
> >  RPM-related noise that increases in "tempo" as the RPMs increase.  It
seems
> >  to diminish, then go away as I get moving, and it only seems to occur
when
> >  I'm accelerating more vigorously than I usually do..  I may be
imagining
> >  that this sound seems to be slowly getting louder..There has always,
since
> >  I've had the van, been a little noise..I've thought it normal for
> >  vanagons...but now, since nothing has broken with my van for a few
months..I
> >  am thinking it's "time"   I have not ever serviced the CV joints, but I
have
> >  checked the wheel bearings and re-freshed the transmission oil plus
checked
> >  brake shoes, etc..
> >   Can anyone suggest a simple way to check on the condition of my CV
joints,
> >  like maybe jack up and run in gear, or tug on the wheel or whatever?
> >   Or should I just drive the sucker till it breaks and not worry so
much?
> >
> >   Don Hanson
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
>
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/