Another test would be to remove one rear drive shaft.  Then go for a drive.
You will feel some slipping, but the van should move surprisingly well.  If
it dose not move, than the coupling is shot.  Do not push the van too hard
as this is a hard test.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Malcolm Holser <mholser@ADOBE.COM>
To: Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU <Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU>
Date: Saturday, November 29, 1997 8:53 PM
Subject: Re: viscus coupling

>> I raised both the front and back on one side and put it out of gear. When
I
>> turned the front wheel by hand  the rear wheel turned smoothly. With the
side
>> still raised, I started the engine and put it in gear. Both the front and
>> rear turned smoothly again. This tells me that the VC is NOT dead.
>>
>> So what was going on when I spun the wheels in the snow? Why weren't the
>> front wheels turning then? Maybe your VC and mine aren't dead. Maybe I
just
>> don't understand how it works.
>>
>This is no test.  Jack up only *one* front wheel and try to turn it --
>it should turn *very* slowly with stiff resistance, but should turn.  If
>it turns freely, your VC is bad, if it turns not at all, your VC is
>also bad.  With both wheels off the ground, the internal resistance of
>even a dead VC will be enough to spin the both wheels.  You can try your
>test with the engine running, in gear, again.  I'll bet that you can stop
>the front wheel spinning with your hand (wear a glove, and don't try too
>hard).
>
>malcolm
>