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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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Balancing is included at this shop. And he built a jig years ago for MellowCat, who has had several Syncro shafts through his shop. You can of course drive your Syncro through here on a summer trip and drop it off and keep going with rear wheel drive. Then pick it up on the way back through.
Whatever you do, best of luck and all that.
Cheers _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Artvonne Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2015 Posts: 74 Location: Rogers, Ar
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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There is no magic to drive shafts and u-joint replacement, but there are a few details that can help make it a greater success.
The yokes, the parts on the ends that attach to the gearbox and front diff, and the shaft, should be marked so you can put the shaft back together in the same orientation as removed. If you spin either of yoke you will lose the original balance.
The bump marks you see on old u joints is called brinneling. Its generally from a lack of grease.
The post earlier that spoke about CV joint wear should be noted, as well as tire size and wear. The object is to have both axles rolling smoothly at exactly the same speeds so there is no binding. You might also consider clocking the cv joints, especially if you've added any lift.
I would lose the do-nut. In a perfect world its okay, but its truly not necessary. No 4x4 can ever be completely vibration free, your going to feel something with all that machinery in motion and tied together. As long as everything is tight and retains its original balance, your not going to have trouble. The donut was put there so the soccer moms wouldn't feel "anything". But really its just something else to go wrong. Keep it simple.
Be careful "beating" them out. You do not want to damage the tube, its really not that thick. A dent can not only throw off balance, but can weaken the shaft. Use a leather mallet and strike the shaft on the weld area at the yoke. Several small blows with a decent mallet are gentler than one big one with a BFH. Same goes for tapping the end yokes over a socket, several light blows are better. It is possible to bend the ears and throw the yoke bores out of alignment, leading to both vibration as well as rapid u joint wear.
Last is the slip yoke. If you can keep it greased it should last a long time. Once it gets dry it can wear very rapidly. Once it starts to have perceptible wear, youll begin having balance issues. |
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westfaliarage Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Kootenays
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:30 pm Post subject: U joint part numbers |
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Hi! I am gonna try the cheap route and see what happens! Does anyone have current parts numbers or where I can find ujoints for my stock driveline?! Thanks David |
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whip618 Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002 Posts: 761 Location: Albuquerque
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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These are a fair replacement for the stock u-joints and be sure to check the internal bushings for wear.
Phil _________________ Life is simple....either you're qualified or you're not.
USSVI.......Pride Runs Deep
USSVI Life member and Holland Club member
Samba Member No. 3307 |
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westfaliarage Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Kootenays
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 11:12 am Post subject: |
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Thanks so much!
Are the grease zerks going to work or will I need to modifly or change them? |
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whip618 Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002 Posts: 761 Location: Albuquerque
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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I opted to modify mine in order for it to rotate freely
Phil _________________ Life is simple....either you're qualified or you're not.
USSVI.......Pride Runs Deep
USSVI Life member and Holland Club member
Samba Member No. 3307 |
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jalan Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: Underwood, Washington
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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I just called NAPA and found that the u-joints are still available. Precision and SKF are now one company and they use the Precision part number UJ813.
Have two on order so will be rebuilding my shaft this week.
Current price is $30 each _________________ 1989 Syncro Hardtop, 2.5 '07 Subaru
1991 Carat Hardtop
1995 High Top Eurovan Syncro |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9610 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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Good to know, thanks.
My driveshaft is smooth and quiet and I have NEVER done any maintenance. 177,000miles. Is there anything I should be doing NOW, to increase its longevity? I can renew the U-joints of course, but is there a trick to sneak some grease into the needles I have? _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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jalan Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: Underwood, Washington
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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What wears out on the stock shafts are the bushings behind the guibo. That is the rubber shock/vibration absorbing donut. It would be worth your time to pull the shaft apart, replace the o-ring and grease the joint. Make sure you mark everything so it goes back together the same way or you will be looking for somebody to rebalance the shaft.
Some years ago I had an old Mercedes I was restoring that didn't have zerks. Before I put in the new joint I removed a cap and drilled and tapped a hole for a zerk in the center of one end cap. You have to use the small zerks here.
I don't think I would do this on the car as you would take a chance of getting metal particles in the needle bearings.
You can buy a needle mounted to a zerk from the auto parts store but it would be difficult getting grease where you need it without ruining the seals on the u-joint. The needles are designed for adding grease to ball joints or tie rod ends that don't have fittings.
If they are tight leave them be but check them frequently.
The u-joints are not that difficult to replace especially if you have a press or a large vise and a good selection of sockets to press with.
PS The driveshaft I just rebuilt works great, no vibrations. I plugged the zerk holes as I couldn't find a small 90 degree fitting like the one WHIP618 used _________________ 1989 Syncro Hardtop, 2.5 '07 Subaru
1991 Carat Hardtop
1995 High Top Eurovan Syncro |
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jalan Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: Underwood, Washington
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:17 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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Correction, I misspelled the "rubber donut" name. Is is a giubo joint although you will find them listed on-line as guibo. The same giubo is used in BMWs and Mercedes. Also known as a flex disc. On the older Mercedes, where they use a two piece driveshaft, the giubo actually replaces the u-joint on the end of the tranny output shaft. No u-joint is necessary as the shaft and tranny are in alignment. _________________ 1989 Syncro Hardtop, 2.5 '07 Subaru
1991 Carat Hardtop
1995 High Top Eurovan Syncro |
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cris torlasco Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2000 Posts: 1363 Location: Delmar, NY/Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 6:50 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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Just in. Hope they are the correct ones!
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Bassyaks Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2010 Posts: 1137 Location: S.E. Connetitcut
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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I replaced mine with a telescoping shaft and still have the 37mph vib, I removed it last week and notice that the flange on the front diff would wobble even though the nut was torqued, that didn't seem correct, I left the shaft out and will drive it like that till the Front Diff gets rebuilt over the winter. That vibration starts slowly at 33 and maxes out a 37 than goes away until around 75-77 than it starts again, it's very slight , most wouldn't notice it. |
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handjammer Samba Member
Joined: April 19, 2018 Posts: 44 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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I'm finishing a driveshaft rebuild. For future readers using this thread for help, you don't need to build anything custom or drill the yoke to make the zerk fitting sit freely.
Instead, order an M8x1 flush-style fitting from McMaster. Works perfectly with no rubbing.
The new joints feels a little bit stiff. Anyone know if that's normal? I may back them out and re-grease them to be safe. _________________ '87 tintop syncro w/ EJ22 |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9610 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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that friggin RULES! _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Steve Arndt Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2005 Posts: 1780 Location: Boise, Idaho
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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I've been running a driveshaft with regular u joint like this since 2004. Had it in and out, transaxle out, engine out, front dif out, all separate events with separate realignment of parts. Never had a vibration. Lucky I guess It works.
I do have the ting ting clank from the inner bushings in the driveshaft being loose if I lug the engine. _________________ Steve
Steve's 87 Syncro project |
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mbob Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2013 Posts: 14 Location: tenn.
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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tencentlife wrote: |
But my machinist knows about a Chevy driveshaft that is a direct fit for the Syncro shaft, brand new at only $450, vs. $700 for rebuilts and $1100 for new VW shafts. The Chevy shaft doesn't have a Guibo disc, just a splined sliding joint in the middle. |
Seems like it may be the Chevy shaft eluded to on page 1 post 11, as quoted above.
More than one way to skin these cats! _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10078 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:10 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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That was an awful long time ago! _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:29 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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Time is an allusion _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:32 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild syncro driveshaft for $45 |
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tencentlife wrote: |
That was an awful long time ago! |
That's the point.....
The substitute has long been known, if you were to read.
But the poster wanted to know specific, long term, experience with the referenced shaft.
Maybe some one else has a "Chevy" shaft installed who can tell.
Having a Syncro Westy awaiting a turn for restoration, for about as long now, it kind of interests me too. But so does a full Subaru drive train too....
I can feel the money pressing to escape from my wallet!!! _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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