TheSamba.com :: View topic - How do I properly engage the 4 wheel drive on my syncro?

Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:34 pm

Hey guys I just picked up my first syncro. Man I love this thing. Now I'm familiar with American 4x4's but not with the vw syncro. How do I properly engage the 4 wheel drive?

Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:42 pm

If its a factory Syncro, and functions, it will self engage when it's needed based on a rear wheel slipping.

Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:48 pm

It is always engaged when the driveline is functioning properly.

The amount of torque being sent to the front diff is controlled by the VC and it does this as rear wheels slip and loose grip.

Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:50 pm

You are going to be so ¥!%#}~<. Happy when you read this book......

http://www.westfalia.gomezperales.com/Documents/86%20Vanagon%20Protraining.pdf

Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:51 pm

If your van has a small dash plate with the picture of a van on it, you are equipped with, at a minimum a rear locking differential....posi traction Man :wink:

Upgradable features include a locking front diff and a decoupler that will engage and diengage at the output shaft on the transmission.

A Syncro with all three will have three vacuum locker switches in the panel I have described.

Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:54 pm

Syncro Pilot wrote: http://www.westfalia.gomezperales.com/Documents/86%20Vanagon%20Protraining.pdf

That about sums it up :wink:

Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:49 pm

Thanks for the replies guys! Yep it has the lil diagram of the drivetrain under the dash, but I'm not sure if I need to be in the low gear while moving or not or I should be in neutral stopped. I'm used to my push button 4 wheel drive bronco. I will read the links sent. Thanks fellars! :-)

Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:15 pm

If you engage the locker, it usually won't kick in until the 2 rear wheels start spinning at different speeds, which can be slippage or turning. My vacuum might be leaking but on mine it also won't disengage until it's been rolling with both wheels going the same for a few seconds.

Sat Jul 06, 2013 5:48 am

Is there anyway to safely check to see if it's working properly without having to be almost stuck in rough terrian?

Sat Jul 06, 2013 5:55 am

Yes.
You can use a 4x4 piece of wood or parking block just in front of the front wheels.
Use low gear, creep up and over it.
If you want to get fancy lift the rear wheels off the ground with a movable floor jack and do the same.
If the fronts don't engage and pull you over the object, the VC is shot.

Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:29 am

Worst case senerio, if the VC is toast is it repairable? say through gowesty etc etc? There is no one in Texas I know that is familiar with the syncro.

Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:59 am

Yes. They Are available and everything can be fixed. Truly no part is impossible to source. Pricy sometimes, but possible.

Sat Jul 06, 2013 7:00 am

Here is a definitive article on the subject:

http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/viscous_couplings_vanagon_syncro.htm

And here are some readily available replacement options....

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_109_1248/rebuilt_viscous_coupler_coupling.html

Or this:

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_179_1257/syncro_solid_shaft.html

Good luck

Sat Jul 06, 2013 8:04 am

You guys rock! I will keep ya posted

Sat Jul 06, 2013 1:54 pm

BTW (and I'm sure the Snycro guys will correct me if I am wrong) but do not use the locker on dry pavement. If you try to turn on dry pavement with the rear or front locked the different turning radii of the inner and outer tires will transmit a large force into the locker and may damage the tranny.

Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:13 pm

Correct. Never use the locker on pavement. One thing to point out though is to use the lock at least once each month so it doesn't corrode and get stuck as mine has done. My '87 sat out of service for some years waiting for me to figure out why she wouldn't run properly (Grounds in the engine compartment) and now I have a non functioning locker. :cry:

Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:54 pm

Turbo,

I posted a thread on getting one loose. Look it up and slide under there with PB Blaster spray, a brass hammer and a pair of pliers and it will start operating.

DougM

PS - also don't use a locker on snowy or icy streets as it can force a dangerous spin. Too easy to lose control on slick streets with locker on. Use just to get unstuck, not to drive along.

Sat Jul 06, 2013 3:23 pm

Thanks IdahoDoug. I'll try to find it and give it another go. I already did try tapping it and also checked that there was vacuum to it. Guess I gave up and went on to chasing other things on the to do list. She now has a body re-do and looks like a 2013 model so now I can go back to the locker and looking for a replacement dash cluster as this one has no power to it at all. Hate driving with no temp gauges or even idiot lights.

Sat Jul 06, 2013 3:40 pm

The hard part is removing the vacuum actuator. Then you'll have full access to spraying on the shaft itself and be able to tap on the shaft and pull it back out with pliers. Good luck.

DougM

Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:13 pm

Thanks Doug. Man you are a prolific poster! I have been searching for that thread and haven't found it as of yet. I have been reading tons of stuff from your other postings though. Much of shared experiences that I have had and other things I have been thinking about fixing. Lots of entertaining and educational reading and eventually I'm bound to stumble onto the thread I'm looking for about servicing the locker.