Are you guys sure you're not making a problem where none really exists? It's
my understanding that this "binding" on tight turns is characteristic of all
syncros (indeed many 4WDs as well). There is some binding on my syncro when
making really tight turns, but I don't consider it a problem. Have you ever
driven other 4WD vehicles and made a tight turn? I rented a Jeep Cherokee in
Alaska this summer and the binding on this vehicle in turns was ten times
worse than the Vanagon. I doubt that this binding has anything at all to do
with the VC--it's probably related to the front diff or CV joints. And
again, I think this a characteristic of the vehicle--I don't think you
should expect to be able to turn the steering wheel all the way until it
locks and not experience some binding.

-Mark McCulley
87 syncro Westfalia

At 02:42 PM 10/3/97 -0400, Derek Drew wrote:
>I have this thing too. We are doomed!
>
>Big $$ to replace the Viscous Coupling. But you can drive around for a long
>time like that. Just make the air pressure in all your tires exactly the
>same and avoid tight turns!
>
>
>At 11:21 PM 10/2/97 -0700, you wrote:
>>my '89 westy syncro binds up really tight when its hot and i make a
>>sharp turn...like to turn around in a parking lot...the binding seems to
>>be more than what one would expect from the vc on a tight turn....its
>>almost like the brakes are on...the vehicle will not roll freely...and
>>it does not bind to this extent when not hot....
>>
>>am i doomed?  will changing the fluid help?  hurt?  i appreciate any
>>response....to this most disturbing symptom...effect....whatever...
>>
>>
>___________________________________
>Derek Drew                           New York, NY
>drew@interport.net
>