Its amazing with the amount of Syncro Vanagons on the road in the Northwest
that most driveline shops, and even VW mechanics, have never had to deal
with drivelines. I am in the same boat as Mark, though I can't afford a
remanufactured driveline right now. Thus, I am opting for the more
adventurous route of finding a replacement U-joint for the one that seized.
Incidentally, the one that seized was a retrofit of an American joint
installed by a VW dealer in York, PA a few years ago: absolutely not a
'factory' repair, but it saved me from a new driveline and got me this far,
so here's thanking them.

What I have found out about the u-joint:
*       The joint is typical of German farm machinery, rather than
automobiles
*       A thread on the list mentioned Six States Distributors as supplying
the u-joint, after a different shop (listed on the website, in OR) that
supplied them had it's phone turned off. I called Six States, they seemed to
know what I was talking about, and they said a 'Bandilioni (?) Size 3' would
fit perfectly. Apparently this type of joint may be available at any
driveline shop that tends to service agricultural equipment. Priced around
$25.
*       A local driveline shop here in Seattle (Drivelines Northwest) told
me that the width of the Bandilioni cross was 1/8" too much after looking at
my parts. The diameter, though, was right on. He said he has a different
joint that will fit perfectly, but it is on order and he won't have it until
the end of the week. Priced at $80.

I'm waiting on that part, and once installed and running again, I will post
an update as to the success or lack of.

A question: Does anyone think driving the van (until repairs are finished)
without the driveline will damage the VC?

Cheers,
Brad
'87 Vanagon Syncro, Very Limited 2WD Edition

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark McCulley [SMTP:transporter99@HOTMAIL.COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 9:37 AM
> To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      remanufactured syncro driveshaft
>
> Ok after lots of archive research and contacting several driveline rebuild
> shops I bit the bullet and purchased a remanufactured driveshaft from a VW
> dealer. None of the shops I spoke with would admit to ever having seen a
> syncro driveshaft. I don't know what magic is involved, but VW seems to be
> the only place that can successfully rebuild these things on a consistent
> basis.
>
> Cost(OUCH!) $608 + $40 core
> 1 year warranty
>
> I just hope this one lasts at least as long as the original (12 yrs,
> 112,000
> miles).
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________
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