Syncro front axles don't just break. It takes a lot of torque or a really
bad outer CV to do that. Why was the VC replaced? Was that problem solved?
Are the tires matched? Normal VC wear is for them to gradually lose their
ability to lock and transfer torque. Becoming overly aggressive causing
locking and binding on turns is almost always a sign of abuse.

Don't rely on the driveshaft shop telling you the shaft is OK or balanced.
Unless they can bolt up to the flanges on both sides and spin it at 4,000
RPM or more they can't fully test it. There are many things that cause this
shaft to vibrate. BTDT too many times.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Shawn MacDonald
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 9:25 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: What would make you disconnect your front axle on your Syncro?

I want to disagree with you as I have a receipt from the PO (I have all
service records) for a replaced VC.... But, I just replaced a broken front
axle. The reason the prop shaft is out is I sent it to check the balance.
There was a vibration before the axle broke, and I wanted to make sure the
driveshaft wasn't the source.  I did the parking lot test when I first got
it and it seemed OK but I have to admit, I am a little reluctant to put it
back in for fear I'd find a problem. Anyway the shaft is OK and the
vibration is not present with it out so If it comes back when I put it back
in I'll know there is a problem and if not, then it was a bad axle when I
got it. I've only put 2k on it in the 2 years I've had it so it's all still
"new" to me.

Shawn
87 Syncro "Eeyore"
86 Westy Weekender

>I would suggest to you that there is something very wrong with your AWD
drive system
>somewhere, if you are noticing that much, let alone ANY fuel mpg
difference when the
>prop shaft is out. My last VC was quite "soft" (read: unaggressive) and
when the shaft
>was out, on mostly highway driving on long trips, I'd notice perhaps
1mpg improvement.
> Just my $0.02 ....
>bob