Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Broken Diff lock Knob
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
tk76
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: Cyprus EU
tk76 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:28 am    Post subject: Broken Diff lock Knob Reply with quote

Hi all, I managed to pull one of the diff lock knobs on my syncro a bit too hard and its come right off the lever, any ideas what i can do or from where i could get a spare one? Sad thnx
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Mofus
Samba Member


Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 369
Location: San Diego
Mofus is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got a replacement from the dealer this year. It was a bit pricey. Around $80 I think for the valve/switch.
_________________
'87 Syncro passenger w/ 2.2L Subaru
'10 Passat Wagon (keeps Mrs. Mofus away from my van)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Dogpilot
Samba Member


Joined: October 03, 2005
Posts: 4205
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Dogpilot is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did you kill the mechanism or just pull off the knob? If the knob is what died, then you essentially pulled the threads out of it. You can fill the hole with epoxy like JB Weld re-drill and tap it. OR you can do the cheap method, which does not always work, of putting a light film of oil on the threads, filling the hole with the epoxy and pushing the knob on and letting it set. In theory, the oil acts like a release agent, letting the knob unscrew. In practice it works to varying degrees.
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tk76
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: Cyprus EU
tk76 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 1:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the replies. Its just knob that came off... What do you mean re-drill and tap it?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Dogpilot
Samba Member


Joined: October 03, 2005
Posts: 4205
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Dogpilot is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You essentially stripped out the threads in the knob. You can fill the hole with an epoxy like JB weld. Then dill out the appropriately sized hole with a drill that corresponds to a tap with the shaft's thread pattern. Tap the hole with the tap and it should work as before.

The really cheesy way to do it is put a matchstick in the hole, grab the shaft with a set of padded pliers to keep it from turning. Then try to screw the knob back on with the matchstick as a jam piece in the hole. This works by filling the hole with a soft wood and kind of jams the threads tighter.

Ok I am now fresh out of dumb ideas.
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Mofus
Samba Member


Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 369
Location: San Diego
Mofus is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 3:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry, I misunderstood Embarassed . My whole shaft pulled out, so I needed a new one.
_________________
'87 Syncro passenger w/ 2.2L Subaru
'10 Passat Wagon (keeps Mrs. Mofus away from my van)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tk76
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: Cyprus EU
tk76 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dogpilot wrote:
You essentially stripped out the threads in the knob. You can fill the hole with an epoxy like JB weld. Then dill out the appropriately sized hole with a drill that corresponds to a tap with the shaft's thread pattern. Tap the hole with the tap and it should work as before.

The really cheesy way to do it is put a matchstick in the hole, grab the shaft with a set of padded pliers to keep it from turning. Then try to screw the knob back on with the matchstick as a jam piece in the hole. This works by filling the hole with a soft wood and kind of jams the threads tighter.

Ok I am now fresh out of dumb ideas.



How do I know what corresponds to the shaft's thread pattern Question
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Dogpilot
Samba Member


Joined: October 03, 2005
Posts: 4205
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Dogpilot is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most tap sets, I would assume this one is metric, have a thread gauge. You use the gauge to determine the thread for the tap you need.

Try the matchstick method first.
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tk76
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: Cyprus EU
tk76 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Dog Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Tristar Eric
Samba Member


Joined: July 25, 2004
Posts: 1241
Location: Portland, Or
Tristar Eric is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

find a bay window headlight switch knob, they're the same. all you need to do is take out the center of the headlight knob and replace it with the black center of your old knob.

The thread is the same, it will simply screw right on.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Vanagon/Transporter flares here: www.terrawagen.com
[email protected]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tk76
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: Cyprus EU
tk76 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tristar Eric wrote:
find a bay window headlight switch knob, they're the same. all you need to do is take out the center of the headlight knob and replace it with the black center of your old knob.

The thread is the same, it will simply screw right on.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Hi Eric, thanks for the advice. I'm wondering though.. the thread in the center of my old knob has been damaged, will the bay switch screw on as it is without having to replace the center part?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Tristar Eric
Samba Member


Joined: July 25, 2004
Posts: 1241
Location: Portland, Or
Tristar Eric is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

screws right on!
_________________
Vanagon/Transporter flares here: www.terrawagen.com
[email protected]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tk76
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: Cyprus EU
tk76 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dogpilot wrote:
Did you kill the mechanism or just pull off the knob? If the knob is what died, then you essentially pulled the threads out of it. You can fill the hole with epoxy like JB Weld re-drill and tap it. OR you can do the cheap method, which does not always work, of putting a light film of oil on the threads, filling the hole with the epoxy and pushing the knob on and letting it set. In theory, the oil acts like a release agent, letting the knob unscrew. In practice it works to varying degrees.


I eventually tried the epoxy and drilling a hole back in - worked fine, as good as new! Thanks Dogpilot Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.