This is probably why VW only sells complete shaft assemblies. they must know
something. I have had some luck repairing these things but it seems about
50/50.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Rainer Woitok <woitok@RRZE.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, April 29, 1999 3:05 AM
Subject: Problems with the u-joints of the driveshaft

>Syncronauts,
>
>recently    another German  Syncro   driver  contacted  me  because he's
>permanently having problems with his drive  shaft.  The viscous coupling
>was replaced due  to the  grooves  where the  input shaft enters   being
>totally worn  out.  Later he observed  severe vibrations which he traced
>back to the drive shaft.   He removed it  and took it  to a special shop
>for balancing.  After putting the drive shaft  back in everything seemed
>normal for  a few weeks, but  then the vibrations  were back.  Currently
>he's driving with the drive shaft removed.
>
>Some months ago we had a discussion on this list about universal joints,
>and I faintly remember that at least one  person mentioned that when you
>mount the u-joints onto a shaft the wrong way you're into trouble due to
>the different rotational  speeds occuring at the  different  ends of the
>shaft at different times and thus placing severe stress on the material.
>
>I've never yet disassembled my drive shaft, so my  question here is: can
>one mount the  u-joints on a Syncro's drive   shaft the wrong  way?  And
>what has a Syncro's drive shaft  with correctly mounted u-joints to look
>like?  And could a wrongly assembled drive shaft cause these vibrations?
>Or should he check for other causes?  Which ones?
>
>Any input will be greatly appreciated and passed on to the owner of said
>castrated Syncro :-)
>
>Sincerely
> Rainer
>
>'89 Caravelle GL Syncro 16"
>
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