A bit to add to Angus' suggestion...

It is a good idea to index the driveshaft flanges and the input/output
flanges before removing the driveshaft so it may be reinstalled in the same
manner at a later date.  A bit of fluorescent paint will work but a couple
of dimples with a steel punch on each end may be more permanent/reliable.
Heck I'd probably do both.

I'm sure Angus has already done this to prepare for this lovely task in the
breakdown lane of I-5 on a dark and rainy PNW day or night.  ;-)

Andrew
Also on Bainbridge Island!

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Angus Gordon
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2012 9:14 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.

The propshaft which joins your transaxle to the front diff/VC can be
removed. Four bolts/nuts at each end.

Angus

Angus Gordon
Bainbridge Island WA

On Nov 29, 2012, at 8:56 AM, "sailingfc @dslextreme.com"
<sailingfc@dslextreme.com> wrote:

> That's very interesting.  Can you describe what you have to do to
> remove the driveshaft and which one are you removing? (or can I search for
it in the archives?) Thanks.
> -Dick-
>
> On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 7:41 AM, Angus Gordon <birdworks@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I carry a mismatched spare tire, along with a set of open end wrenches to
remove the driveshaft should I ever need to use the spare. A decoupler would
be nice - wrenches are cheaper.
>
> Angus
>
>
> Angus Gordon
> Bainbridge Island WA
>
> On Nov 28, 2012, at 11:31 PM, Dick Wong <sailingfc@DSLEXTREME.COM> wrote:
>
> > You're right, tires are cheaper than a VC.  I guess I'll go shopping
> > this weekend and see what I can find for the spare.  If I can't find
> > the same tire, I hate to toss out a set of A/T light truck tires
> > that only have about 11K miles on them.
> >
> > -Dick-
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 11:17 PM
> > To: 'Dick Wong'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: RE: New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
> >
> > 4/32" is a worn out tire anyway. Test have shown wet traction at
> > that point is half along with reduced hydroplaning resistance. AT tires
can be 15/32"
> > or more new. One different tire on an axle is not as bad as two. And
> > a new coupling can be $2K plus installation. Makes matched tires
> > cheap. If your coupling fails in the excessive aggressive mode than
> > consider a drive shaft de-coupler.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> > Behalf Of Dick Wong
> > Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2012 1:40 AM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
> >
> > Wow, that's not much!
> >
> > So a brand new tire has maybe 12/32" depth on the new tread. If I
> > put on the same tire worn tire down to say 4/32" tread depth, the
> > difference from the center of the tire to the tread is 0.25" or 6.4mm.
> > That's enough to fry my VC?
> >
> > -Dick-
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Robert Stevens [mailto:mtbiker62@gmail.com]
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 10:18 PM
> > To: Dick Wong
> > Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: [VANAGON] New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
> >
> >
> > On Nov 28, 2012, at 10:29 PM, Dick Wong <sailingfc@DSLEXTREME.COM>
wrote:
> >
> > So how much difference in tire size is considered a mismatch?  I
> > have 27x8.50-14s all around and the spare is 205/70x14. According to
> > my tire calculator that's a difference of 1.63" between the two.
> >
> > IIRC, about 3mm is max tolerance before your VC notices and burns
> > up. That is about $1K to replace.
> >
> > bob
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