Fred and others,

On Mon, 1998-06-29 10:15:26 -0600, Fred Porter wrote:

> During a long highway drive the VC heats up and is then engaged
> constantly???

I, too, immediately suspected the VC.   Check out the following: after a
longer highway  drive test reverse and  1st gear,  BUT KEEP THE STEERING
STRAIGHT.  Does she behave pretty normal then?  Does  she only lurch and
clang when you have her in reverse or 1st gear and AT THE SAME TIME have
the front wheels turned to either side?

If your answer is "yes" to both questions, it's the VC.  If you're still
sceptic get into any Japanese 4WD, get onto  a paved road, switch her to
4L, turn the steering wheel and go.  Similar behaviour?  What you did to
the Japanese 4WD, was basically to drive round a corner with the central
diff locked.  This will produce some rocking  and some noise, and if you
feel it's  similar to your  Vanagon's  behaviour, then I'd  suggest your
Vanagon's central diff (that is, your VC) is  sort of locked, too, if it
becomes hot.

This leads us to another problem :  VW Germany only  says to replace the
VC.  Does anybody know how to  repair this beastie?  Personally, I'm not
interested in a  shop that does it  (at least not in  USA :-) but in how
it's done.

Sincerely
 Rainer

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