You need to check the drive shaft and U-joints.  Any bending, imbalance, or
wear will cause this symptom.

Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Sullivan <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 1998 11:30 AM
Subject: Syncro rumble at 50+ mph

>Dear Volks,
>
>Last weekend I went 4-wheeling on the sand at Duxbury Beach MA -- it was a
blast!
>
>However, yesterday while cruising down the highway from work I heard an
awful, constant "rumble" noise, similar to the sound and vibration caused
when you run over grooved highway shoulder warnings. It seems to be coming
from the rear of the van
>
>This "rumble" comes and goes in intensity, is not tied to any particular
speed, is unnoticable at speeds less than 40mph, and is mostly noticable
between 50 and 70mph.
>
>So what is it?
>
>My guess is that the spirited 4-wheeling "did in" the rear CV joints.
However, reading the archives suggests that it also could be the
transmission? (After all, I was rocking that baby back and forth on the
beach!). Is it possible that the BFG All Terrain tires got damaged in some
way? I don't see any obvious gashes or rocks between the treads. NOTE: I
also didn't see any obvious tears in the CV joint rubber.
>
>As I was planning on going to Transporters by the Tunnel this weekend, any
info at all would be appreciated.
>
>Cheers,
>
>
>Michael J. Sullivan
>Director of Catalog Design
>Open Market, Inc.
>
>'87 GL Syncro Westfalia
>********************************************
>work: http://www.openmarket.com
>vanagon: http://www.hsdesign.com/vanagon
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>********************************************
>