Ring and pinion video inspection

[Parkker]

Just wanting other opinions from more experienced Syncro transaxle folks.
The Van makes a bit of a whine I guess you would call it. This happens when in gear with positive torque being applied by engine.
When coasting with transaxle in gear and driving engine (negative torque) the sound goes away. Does it in all gears but more noticeable in lower gear.
Shifts are smooth, does not pop out of gear. Is it normal or ? Ring and pinion doesn't look bad to me but I am not an expert. I saw some other videos of ring and pinion where damage was obvious so just looking for experienced opinions.
It's always done this so I don't know if its normal or not have never ridden in another Vanagon.


Thanks,

Parkker
Link
[/vimeo]

[gears]

If you look at the pinion tooth in the background of my photo below, it looks terrible. But it's actually in the same good shape as the one in the foreground. My point is that looking through a blurry lens at an oil-coated tooth has little chance of providing a true picture of condition.

Always inspect the pinion, rather than the ring gear. Abnormal wear will be 4X as great on the pinion.

Whine on acceleration can be a loosened pinion nut, or a failing pinion bearing. With a loose nut, wear would be quite pronounced at the tip of the pinion teeth.

_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[Syncro Jael]

Those were the symptoms mine had with a bad ring & pinion. The video I took made it unmistakable. This was a very faint whine during acceleration only.


Link

_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[Parkker]

[Parkker]

[Parkker]

GoWesty Rebuilt Syncro Transaxle with Locking Differential $6400

Sell my house now.

[Sodo]

[?Waldo?]

[jberger]

[Jeffrey Lee]

[Syncro Jael]

From what I have learned is that these Syncro transaxles run very quiet with stock gears.

My first learning experience was a chirping, noise on acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear. I could not hear it out on the road once up to speed because of tire/wind noise. That was my main bearing out and 4th gear was rubbing against the housing. "Unicorn Blood".

My second learning experience was the whine noise. Again you could mainly only hear it in 1st and 2nd gears. Also only on acceleration. It was a worn ring and pinion.

Every time I had these transaxles rebuilt, they run very quiet. So now I just listen for any changes in the quiet. Then you know something is up.

Others that have had gear changes talk about hearing noise from the tranny. I have no experience with that.

Sorry to hear about your issues. But sooner is much better than later when rebuilding. There are a few shops that have great reputations. Seek them out.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[Waldi]

[Waldi]

[quote="jberger"]

[gears]

Just to clarify a couple points in this thread:

Although the whine may be identical, Jael's pinion suffered primarily from a heat treatment depth issue, probably not the same bearing/pinion nut/gear mesh issue as the OP.


The quote below refers to the "pinion double taper roller bearing" (as opposed to the mainshaft ball bearing, which typically makes most noise in 4th gear)

[jberger]

[Sodo]

[Terry Kay]

If the preload on the R&P is incorrect , and this preload will change with a pinion bearing going away, it'll howl as you get on & off the throttle, it could vibrate real easy.

Time to either get yours fixed, or buy a reman.

You made an investment into the odd, unusual ,& unique example of automobilia, now it's time to belly up and support that strange, antique , low production unit.

You knew when you bought it that play time wasn't going to be a free, inexpensive ride.

It's time to unload some bigger than usual $$$ on the grim gear reaper.

It's payback time.
_________________
T.K.

[Parkker]

[Parkker]

[Parkker]