Derek and listees,

I posted this in November and several of you responded very helpfully.
I thought you'd be curious at the outcome.
> >
> >I was out 4-wheeling around in the desert, forded an 18-inch deep
> stream
> >a few times, and when I got back on the pavement, the steering
> felt
> >strange.  It felt like the van was stuck in 4WD.  The steering was
> >fighting me, wanting to steer itself. Back in the city, it is so
> >pronounced that the front tires chirp from a start with the wheels
> >turned.  (I never thought I'd ever burn rubber in a Vanagon).

The problem turned out to be that the left outer rear CV joint bolts
sheared off, leaving the axle unconnected and the van in stuck in
full-time front-wheel drive. Quite a relief not to have to replace the
VC, just the CV. :)  Thanks again.

John Welsh, San Diego
87 Syncro Westfalia GL
81 Triumph TR8