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Subject:Re: Binding when turning (syncro)
From:Derek Drew
Date:Tue, 2 Dec 1997 11:11:09 -0500

I too have noticed an improvement in my binding problem since replacing a
particularly worn front tire. Jury still out on my VC though. Setting air
pressures exactly equal in all four tires also seemed to help.

At 09:07 PM 11/30/97 -0800, you wrote:
>Back a month or so ago i posted a plea for help when i noticed that my
>90 syncro westy was binding much more than "normal" when i made very
>tight turns, like turning around in a parking lot.  It seemed to really
>bind....and the vehicle would not roll.  i noticed this after a long hot
>drive...something certainly seemed to be wrong.
>
>i got numerous replies...some pronouncing my VC dead.  most advised to
>check tire sizes, which i did....and to my surprise, one front tire had
>slightly more tread than the other...since, as i now remember....i hit a
>bolt in the road and had to replace one tire soon after i got the set.
>Anyway, i put on four new tires since the old ones had over 40,000 miles
>on them.  i also had the cv joints lubed and the van aligned at the
>porshe/vw dealer (they are the only ones who get it right)
>
>the problem seems to be gone.  there is almost no binding when turning
>tightly now, not even the amount that i used to consider "normal."  in
>fact, there is so little, or seemed to be none, that i was concerned
>that the vc was not working...but then i took it out in about 14" of
>snow....and oh yes....those front wheels were turning just fine...
>
>my guess is that it was the tires...i do not know what lubing the cv
>joints would have to do with it since this was just routine maitenance
>and they seemed to be working fine.  i only hope the problem is gone for
>good.  the real test will be how it behaves after 5 hours on the road
>when its 90 degrees out.
>
>thanks to all who responded to my initial post.
>
>steve...
>'90 syncro westy
>
>
______________________________________________________
Derek Drew                              New York, NY & Washington, DC
drew@interport.net
'90 Syncro Westfalia...
...seen off-road at http://www.tiu.net/~des/vw/drew/index.html

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