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MsTaboo 
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4549
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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 Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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| Bill D wrote: |
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| When you do the front diff you will have to decide what kind of (rebuilt) VC to use, "normal", "sport" or "solid shaft". |
What is a "sport" VC ???
I assume "solid Shaft" means eliminating the VC?
Not sure I need a rebuild 'normal' VC as mine was replaced at about 105,00 miles... (still have that old one in a box)... and the replacement now has about 80,000 miles on it...b |
The VC can be loaded with it's special silicon fluid to increase it's rate of engagement (or what's called "hump" mode) - so that the VC will react quicker, this is called a "sport VC". The drawback is a sport VC will be more aggressive and you will notice more binding on pavement in tight turns (like parking lots, etc)
This binding can be hard on the rest of the drivetrain but means the VC will engage quicker whenever there's a difference in wheel spin between the front and rear (like in sand).
Adding a decoupler to the system allows the user to disengage power going to the front, relieving that stress in those tight turns on dry pavement.
A sport VC can be a good compromise instead of going to a solid shaft (which eliminates the VC and the AWD function), keeping the best part of having a Syncro for all weather driving.
A regular VC is fine 90% of time for general off-roading, the need for a sport VC increasing in proportion to the amount of sand or loose soil driving. People who do a lot of sand driving (like those who spend time in Baja) often prefer a solid shaft instead of VC. Changing to a solid shaft requires adding a decoupler for driving on pavement, making your Syncro a 2wd most of the time.
However those of us who drive in the mountains, especially in poor weather, prefer the AWD of the VC.
If the driving characteristics of your current VC meets your needs then no reason to spend money changing. If you have the coin you could send your old VC out to be rebuilt "sport" and have it available.
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
All that's needed for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)! |
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Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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| The VC can be loaded with it's special silicon fluid to increase it's rate of engagement |
Who does that? Tranny rebuilders or just any mechanic? Or.... ?
Seems like a 'sport' VC and a decoupler might be a good way to go...
Thought... I have notice that my VC does not 'bind' on tight turns like it used to years ago.... wonder if that means it has lost fluid? Thoughts on that... ?
Bill D |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18744
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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You Tube has a few videos how to test your VC in a running driving syncro. A 2x4 is involved. I rebuilt my VC back in the day. I was able to find replacement O rings and I purchased the secret sauce from member IdahoDoug I believe.
The difficult part was knowing how much sauce to add. I found someone in a forum in the UK that was rebuilding them to raise money for a charity. It wasn’t practical to ship mine, but he had me weigh mine assembled and he provided the filled weight. Reminded me of chemistry or physics class. Worked out great. At one time Van Cafe was offering sport VCs. It has to do with the sauce and the amount used.
I should add, I sold the syncro. Parts are rare, tasks are 2x as hard, too many systems to fail. For our use, the TDI power is more important than off roading. We are seniors and my shovel days are in the mirror. My sense of all things mechanical, the syncro drive train was not up to the TDI power and vibrations. We sold it and put some money towards the Peloquin in our 2wd camper. |
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MsTaboo
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4549
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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| Bill D wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The VC can be loaded with it's special silicon fluid to increase it's rate of engagement |
Who does that? Tranny rebuilders or just any mechanic? Or.... ?
Seems like a 'sport' VC and a decoupler might be a good way to go...
Thought... I have notice that my VC does not 'bind' on tight turns like it used to years ago.... wonder if that means it has lost fluid? Thoughts on that... ?
Bill D |
There may be Syncro transmission rebuilders who have invested in the supplies to do VCs. Need to call around. There is a VC specialist in Europe who also does different levels.
https://vw-kern.at/viscous-coupling
VCs do wear, also the seal between the VC and the rest of the front diff can leak mixing gear oil and silicone. Not good, it's bad for both the gears and the VC. You can tell by inspecting your gear oil.
And/or the very small riffs on the plates inside the VC can wear.
Being a Syncro owner is a commitment but worth it if you use it.
Knowing how and being willing to do work on the rig helps with cost of ownership and understanding what you have.
Personally I don't find owning a Syncro much different from owning any Vanagon. They are all 36 - 45 year old vehicles that get used, unlike other collector cars which sit in garages.
Remember the Vanagon Syncro was designed around a 90hp engine in the days of 55mph speed limits. Now we are putting in bigger more powerful engines, along with larger tires, heavier loads, and faster roads.
Slow down, enjoy the view, keep up the revs. and treat it gently. If you want to thrash then buy a disposable 4x4. The Syncro Westy (or tin-top, Doka, etc) is special; you may be able to sleep in a jeep but it sure as hell is not as comfortable as a Westy!
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
All that's needed for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)! |
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Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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| I have 160,000 on a Peloquin. Does not interfere with anything. And it is awesome! Definitely helps in sand. |
Hmm... Peloquin helps in sand... just wondering about that...
No expert here, but my thinking is that 'flotation' is more important in sand than traction... in fact, several people have suggested that street tires with non-aggressive lugs are better in sand than off-road tires with aggressive lugs because the aggressive just digs you in faster.... so... wondering if Peloquin would just assist that digging in faster???
b |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10639
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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Gotta think in terms of the whole axle.
For one side to be gentle with the sand, the other wheel across the differential has to be digging furiously at that moment.
For a Peloquin to lock there must be a traction imbalance. It usually alternates side-to-side if each wheel has similar conditions.
So theres gonna be some sand disturbance. It should be better than an open diff though.
I bet a full locker is better in sand cuz its steady.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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If you put a Peloquin in the front differential on a van that has a Viscous Coupling... will that cause the van/tires to 'scrub' more on asphalt turns???
thanks,
Bill D |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10639
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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| Bill D wrote: |
| If you put a Peloquin in the front differential on a van that has a Viscous Coupling... will that cause the van/tires to 'scrub' more on asphalt turns?? |
Theres no reason it would do that. I have a Peloquin in the front on my Syncro, and its completely transparent, I feel no difference whatsoever.
IMHO a Peloquin differential when driving normally is barely any different from an open differential. Once tires start slipping it throws more power to the wheel that has more traction. More power but not all the power, just “more” than an open differential. I can’t detect that it ever “locks”. If it locked I’d feel it on the steering wheel. I don’t - ever.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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termuehlen
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2012
Posts: 1033
Location: Redwood City
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
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| Bill D wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The VC can be loaded with it's special silicon fluid to increase it's rate of engagement |
Who does that? Tranny rebuilders or just any mechanic? Or.... ?
Seems like a 'sport' VC and a decoupler might be a good way to go...
Thought... I have notice that my VC does not 'bind' on tight turns like it used to years ago.... wonder if that means it has lost fluid? Thoughts on that... ?
Bill D |
German Transaxle of America (Bend Oregon) rebuilt my VC at the same time they did my transmission. The change in driving feel was like night and day. My old VC was not low on fluid, but had very little "bind" as you call it. The rebuilt VC feels totally different. It engages much more aggressively.
_________________
1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx |
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