TheSamba.com :: View topic - When to tell a viscous couplier is too agressive?

Mon May 14, 2012 3:54 pm

Hi,

When to tell a viscous couplier is too agressive to be driven on asphalt?

When I turn the steering wheel when driving slow on asphalt I feel resistance and can hear the BFG chirp.

I tring to determine if I need a decoupler (or new VC), or drive the van this summer like this?

Any toughts?

Thanks

Mat

Mon May 14, 2012 3:58 pm

If it is chirpin and scrubbin, its aggressive.
Providing your tires pressures are within one pound each and have similar tread depth.
The 2x4 test should show instant front wheel traction up and over with an aggressive unit.

Mon May 14, 2012 4:46 pm

Hi insyncro,

So a normal VC shouldn't chirp?

My BFG are all at 45 psi and all have the same wear ( 15k ). It's chirping on pavement and whorse after an highway drive.

Time for a rebuilt VC or decoupler I guess....

Thanks

Mat

Mon May 14, 2012 5:00 pm

Yes, if you find after a highway drive the front end feels tight and the tires scrub, your VC is locking up.
A decoupler is really nice as it allows you to keep the agro vc and not tear up expensive driveline parts.
Keep it decoupled for pavement driving...engage for offroad traction...how sweet is that :!:

There are a few different suppliers of decouplers...daryl at AA Trans and Florian have very good units.

Mon May 14, 2012 5:23 pm

I have the same symptoms when turning sharply at low speeds on asphalt, like when pulling into a parking place. My BFG tires don't exactly "chirp": More like a scuffing noise.

The van was like that when I bought it with 85,000 miles on it. It's still like that now with 125,000 miles on it. Hasn't gotten any more pronounced. Sure hooks up nice on the jeep trails.

No, I don't have a decoupler.
Brent

Mon May 14, 2012 6:28 pm

Hi Brent,

Ok that is interesting! I'm not bothered by the tire scuffing instead I was more concern about the premature wear and tear, but if your has been acting similar to this for 40K miles, I'm sort of reassured. Again hard to compare through a post

I really like how the van is sure footed on the highway, and love the great handling the VC is giving me and the off road traction. Also it's definlty not a daily driver, more a adventure/camping weekend mobile.

I might give it a try all summer and see if it seems to get any worse... or if I still enjoy it like this at the end of the summer....

thanks

mat