| Author |
Message |
VWagabond
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2011
Posts: 277
Location: Charlotte, NC
|
 Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 11:09 am Post subject: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
 |
|
Long story short...Replacing starter in 87 Syncro and disconnected the Rt drive axle at the tranny. When time to reassemble, found the balls had dropped out of the joint so now lets remove the axle all together and clean, inspect and repack the joints. All the bolts removed from both ends but can't get the axle to swing clear of the long bar that runs from the engine carrier to the frame. What am I missing here? The Bentley sheds no light on the problem. Anyone else had this problem? The van is on jack stands with the rr wheel removed so plenty of access.
_________________
The Road Goes Ever On & On……...
VWagabond
87 Camper GL
87 Syncro GL |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18776
Location: Retired South Florida
|
| Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
|
|
I honestly don’t remember. But there is an old saying. “When in doubt, take it out”. Dropping the rear brace should be relatively easy to get it out of your way.
I have found many tasks are x2 more difficult on a syncro vs 2wd. One reason we sold it. If you are lucky the rear bolts were inserted in the correct orientation so they can be removed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VWagabond
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2011
Posts: 277
Location: Charlotte, NC
|
| Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
|
|
Thanks Mark...I will do that and see if 1) it helps get the axle out, and 2) it doesn't send me down another rabbit hole. It's like a domino effect, removing something opens a whole nuther can of worms.
I am over the Syncro experience myself and ready for it to find a new home. Then I'll just have the 2wd camper to keep going and at 76 yrs old, that's more than enough.
_________________
The Road Goes Ever On & On……...
VWagabond
87 Camper GL
87 Syncro GL |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18776
Location: Retired South Florida
|
| Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
|
|
| VWagabond wrote: |
Thanks Mark...I will do that and see if 1) it helps get the axle out, and 2) it doesn't send me down another rabbit hole. It's like a domino effect, removing something opens a whole nuther can of worms.
I am over the Syncro experience myself and ready for it to find a new home. Then I'll just have the 2wd camper to keep going and at 76 yrs old, that's more than enough. |
I reached a similar conclusion. I took some of the money and purchased a Peloquin for our 2wd camper. Most of our travels are on pavement. Those few times we aren’t I have the Peloquin. 2nd reason was too many rare parts and things to fail. I’m a pup at 70. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 7208
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bsrad
Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
|
| Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
|
|
I know your pain. Struggled a bunch myself finding that perfect position. I’ve swapped a few trailside without dropping the skid plate or bars. Once in Baja and a few in southern Utah. I’m on 2” lift spring plus jack it up a little for room to work. This might be what’s helping me getting the angle stretched. There’s a magic position inside the trailing arm with the cv compressed and the inner at just the right angle and I’ve been able to get it by the bar.
_________________
Bill
-----------
1987 Syncro Westy
1967 OG Single Cab
1976 FJ40 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SyncroHead
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1159
Location: Northern Nevada
|
| Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 11:08 am Post subject: Re: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
|
|
| VWagabond wrote: |
Thanks Mark...I will do that and see if 1) it helps get the axle out, and 2) it doesn't send me down another rabbit hole. It's like a domino effect, removing something opens a whole nuther can of worms.
I am over the Syncro experience myself and ready for it to find a new home. Then I'll just have the 2wd camper to keep going and at 76 yrs old, that's more than enough. |
When I do this, I remove the rear and mid protection rail bolts altogether, but only loosen the fron mounts. This way it pivots down in front and partly stays in place. Makes re-assembly much easier.
Jim Davis
_________________
"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
| sphet wrote: |
| I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VWagabond
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2011
Posts: 277
Location: Charlotte, NC
|
| Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 3:57 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
|
|
Thanks guys for the insight, replacing the starter is a tough job to say the least. I completely removed the rear skid bars...in bad need of cleaning anyway. Looking at the axle and how easily the bearings fell out of the inboard cage and the outer cage fell off of the outboard joint while removing it. I will probably clean and inspect them but I suspect they may have excessive wear....I'd be concerned they'd fall apart while installing them. I'll probably end up with a reman axle. I've pushed the van aside for now because too much going on thru Memorial Day but I'll probably get back to it in June.
Regards All...
Tom
_________________
The Road Goes Ever On & On……...
VWagabond
87 Camper GL
87 Syncro GL |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52377
|
| Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
|
|
| VWagabond wrote: |
Thanks guys for the insight, replacing the starter is a tough job to say the least. I completely removed the rear skid bars...in bad need of cleaning anyway. Looking at the axle and how easily the bearings fell out of the inboard cage and the outer cage fell off of the outboard joint while removing it. I will probably clean and inspect them but I suspect they may have excessive wear....I'd be concerned they'd fall apart while installing them. I'll probably end up with a reman axle. I've pushed the van aside for now because too much going on thru Memorial Day but I'll probably get back to it in June.
Regards All...
Tom |
Put a piece of dowel rod through one of the holes in the CV joint and then tie the other end to the half shaft so the CV can not droop and thus let the balls fall out. I also use a small diameter alignment bar inserted through one of the holes in the CV to get the hole in the CV aligned with one of the hole in the flange. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VWagabond
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2011
Posts: 277
Location: Charlotte, NC
|
| Posted: Sat May 10, 2025 12:55 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Syncro Axle Removal |
|
|
Thanks Wildthings..I'll remember that good advice.
Tom
_________________
The Road Goes Ever On & On……...
VWagabond
87 Camper GL
87 Syncro GL |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
