The Vanagon Dictionary

The distance between the wheelwell and the center of the wheel, used to determine proper alignment

• suspension
• alignment

The four-wheel drive version of the Vanagon , made between 1986 and 1991. using a viscous coupling arrangement, the front wheels could be made to automatically provide pulling power (at any time the rear wheels began to slip or spin). This term also applies to the four-wheel drive EuroVans , which are unfortunately not imported into the United States.

All-wheel drive, a system where one or more wheels can provide power to the ground at any given time

• vw
• drivetrain
• awd

Electronic system regulating braking power at rear wheels

• braking
• safety

a wheel with a grooved rim for holding a belt

• generator
• belts

Axle that transmits power to the wheels

• axle
• drivetrain

type of differential that compensates for speed differences

• axle
• wheel

Aluminum or steel frame that provides a framework for the tire

• wheels
• tires

The process of moving wheel wells up by cutting and welding

• body
• modification

Sensor that measures the angle of the steering wheel

• sensor
• steering

Type of rim characterized by 5 spokes in a Porsche pattern

• wheels
• rim
• porsche

distance from one side of a tire to the other

• tires
• wheels

a component that compensates for different wheel speeds in 4WD systems

• 4wd
• differential

A system that improves safety and comfort by controlling wheel spin

• traction
• control
• asr

A device within a differential that couples both wheels for additional traction

• vw
• drivetrain
• traction

Specifications for proper alignment of a vehicle's wheels and suspension

• suspension
• alignment

A fork-shaped suspension component that connects the wheel hub to the frame

• suspension
• wishbone

Dynamic cornering light, a swiveling bi-xenon system that follows steering wheel movements

• lighting
• safety

Type of differential that limits the slip between the wheels

• differential
• syncro

A type of rear axle that is 'fixed' at the wheel (that is, it is not able to flex up or down), but is able to move up and down at the transmission end. It required the rear wheels to move in an arc, rather than vertically, when hitting bumps. in some cars (beetles and corvairs and some early porsches), it could cause the wheel to tuck under the car during high speed cornering.

The last gear ratio in a vehicle's drivetrain, between the transmission and wheels

• gear
• transmission

A tie rod is a rod that connects the steering gear to the wheels.

• tie
• rod
• steering

A system that controls wheel slip and traction, also known as Anti-Slip Regulation

• traction
• control

Set of brake shoes for Vanagon/T25 models, excluding Syncro with 16-inch wheels

• brakes
• vanagon