The front differentials do occasionally fail.  Bearings go bad.  Check oil
level. Differential can fail and coupling is probably still good.  I would
plan to at least overhaul the front box.

Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Gregg Scharff <scharff@ENG.KNS.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, April 07, 1998 10:23 AM
Subject: Syncro whine on deceleration???

>A friend is looking at '87 Syncro which has a whining noise on
deceleration, coming from the front differential area. I have heard
>warnings about whining noises in Syncros, but a local (reputable) VW dealer
>mechanic who has worked on many Syncros states that he has never come
across a
>bad viscous coupling! Any advice would be much appreciated.
>
>Gregg
>'85 Westy
>