Syncro question

tasb · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 10:16 pm Post subject: Syncro question

I have recently purchased a 1987 Syncro it has 257,000 miles behind it with a rebuilt 2.1L engine and most other parts rebuilt including the trans over the years. My wife is not happy riding in the van because it has loud road noise. I have changed out the aggressive tread tires for highway tires and it still is loud though smoother riding. It is not an exhaust issue or anything like that. Wondering if the rear wheel bearings may be worn or if the normal operating mechanics of the four wheel drive system might account for the noise? Beyond that the Syncro seems solid clean and very reliable.

jeremysmithatshawdotca · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 11:49 pm Post subject:

You could check out some of the baywindow threads about heat, the insulation makes a big difference in the cabin noise. Jeremy

Chris181Westy · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 9:23 am Post subject:

Well, it is hard to tell what is going on without riding in the van but, my best buddy has a 89 Vanagon Syncro and it is not loud at all. It might be the wheel bearings or the cv joints. What kind of noise is it? Is it a growling noise?
_________________
"So we went for a spin in the country
To feel the wind in our hair
To feel the power of my engine
To feel the thrill of desire"
Roger Waters, The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking

tasb · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:02 am Post subject:

yeah kinda hard to put noises into words too. Best I can do is that it is more like a loud humming sound low in pitch. It does this from about 35 mph on up. There is no difference between straight and curves in the road. The sound does not change as you move through the gears either. Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

tasb · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:10 am Post subject:

I doubt that insulation is the issue in this case. The van is well insulated has both rear seats and the bed cushion is over the engine compartment. Thanks for the reply anywho...

bljones · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:22 am Post subject:

if you can, find another owner who will let you take his for a drive, and compare. if the sound level doesn't change with wheel speed, and if you are not getting weird feedback through the steering wheel, my guess would be to look at the all of the door seals weather stripping and vent seals.
I found my audi quattro wagon had a low hum that every fwd audi i drove didn't have, and i chalked it up to simply the sound of two more differentials, and three additional drive shafts doing their job.
_________________
OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"

2%

tasb · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 1:31 pm Post subject:

Yeah that's kinda what I was thinking. Only problem is where do I find another Syncro? They are pretty rare even in SoCal.

Chris181Westy · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 8:13 pm Post subject:

Maybe your u-joints are going bad, you might need to pull your driveshaft have the u-joints replaced and have the drive shaft balenced as well.
_________________
"So we went for a spin in the country
To feel the wind in our hair
To feel the power of my engine
To feel the thrill of desire"
Roger Waters, The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking

gears · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:21 am Post subject:

My '86 Syncro has had thin insulation material installed in most of the panels, and the noise still overpowers the stereo system --- even though I have the rear cushion over the engine.

I'll be installing sheets of packing foam in the panels next --

Tram · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 12:23 am Post subject:

It really sounds like wheel bearing noise from the description. Also, check to make sure the rear axle nuts (the big ones under the hubcap with the cotter keys) are TIGHT! At that mileage, the rear bearings are suspect as well as the front.

jeremysmithatshawdotca · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 1:35 am Post subject:

I'm telling' you guys, when you get any mechanical problems ruled out for sure, and you want it quieter read this site:
http://yeah-baby.shagadelic.org/VW/info/gmbulley-soundproof/

Jeremy

Stanagon · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 9:24 pm Post subject:

I'm with Chris181westy and would suspect the u-joints or an out-of-balance driveshaft. I had an '87 Syncro and when the u-joints went bad it made a he!! of a racket and vibrated at speeds above 35mph. This is a very common problem. It's pretty easy to take the driveshaft out to see if this is the trouble. You don't even need to jack the car up.

You will need to move the van (or turn the wheels if it's on a lift) slightly to get access to all four bolts at either end. Also be sure to use a paint pen or a scribe to mark the front and rear flange positions before pulling it out. Driving without the driveshaft in does not harm the van at all. Of course you'll only have rear wheel drive and the slow speed steering will feel a little easier.

If this is the problem you'll need to find a shop that can balance the shaft and possibly replace the u-joints. We've got a place that specializes in truck driveshaft work here in the Boston area that did mine. They replaced the u-joints with Napco brand ones with grease fittings. The originals did not have grease fittings. It took awhile for them to find the correct u-joints and to figure out the proper set-up for balancing it. Total cost was about $130, which sure beat the $600 VW wants for a replacement driveshaft.

Once the balanced shaft was back in the Syncro was nice and quiet on the road. Even with the high-mileage pfatt, pfatt, pfatt motor noise.

-Stanagon
LiMBO prez.


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