Date:         Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:02:54 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
Comments: To: Angus Gordon <birdworks@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAJPo2u32pMXskg5ZAQd2g-oAvC0sXZAZyw5WPP81VSwni-F7sA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Angus, I carry a tire repair kit also.  However, I have to admit that for Vanagon level tire pressure (53 psi rear, 43 psi front), I just don't have the oomph to inflate the rear tires fully with a bicycle pump.  I bought a small compressor that runs off the vehicle D.C. current.  I guess I am just a weakling.  BTW, the only use I have had to make of the compressor was to adjust the tires when going from hot summer Oklahoma to cold mountain conditions.  I figure if I didn't have it and the repair kit, I'd be having flats constantly.

I do carry a spare of identical construction and age as my running tires, and I rotate every 5k miles.  Due for new tires come next summer (maybe sooner if I take a long trip in spring), and hoping to find what I need for the 14" wheels.

mcneely

---- Angus Gordon <birdworks@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I'm sure Angus has already done this to prepare for this lovely task in the
> > breakdown lane of I-5 on a dark and rainy PNW day or night.  ;-)
> >
>
>
> Actually my first line of defense is a tire repair (plug) kit and bicycle
> pump under the back seat. I've never yet had to use the spare on my
> Vanagons (knock on rust).
>
> I have removed propshafts a time or two however, probably vying with
> Alistair for some sort of record there. I don't bother with indexing the
> flanges, after a certain number of driveshaft/U-joint permutations it
> becomes a moot point.
>
>
> Angus
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> > Angus Gordon
> > Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2012 9:14 AM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
> >
> > The propshaft which joins your transaxle to the front diff/VC can be
> > removed. Four bolts/nuts at each end.
> >
> > Angus
> >
> >
> > Angus Gordon
> > Bainbridge Island WA
> >
> > On Nov 29, 2012, at 8:56 AM, "sailingfc @dslextreme.com"
> > <sailingfc@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> >
> > > That's very interesting.  Can you describe what you have to do to
> > > remove the driveshaft and which one are you removing? (or can I search
> > for
> > it in the archives?) Thanks.
> > > -Dick-
> > >
> > > On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 7:41 AM, Angus Gordon <birdworks@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I carry a mismatched spare tire, along with a set of open end wrenches to
> > remove the driveshaft should I ever need to use the spare. A decoupler
> > would
> > be nice - wrenches are cheaper.
> > >
> > > Angus
> > >
> > >
> > > Angus Gordon
> > > Bainbridge Island WA
> > >
> > > On Nov 28, 2012, at 11:31 PM, Dick Wong <sailingfc@DSLEXTREME.COM>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > > You're right, tires are cheaper than a VC.  I guess I'll go shopping
> > > > this weekend and see what I can find for the spare.  If I can't find
> > > > the same tire, I hate to toss out a set of A/T light truck tires
> > > > that only have about 11K miles on them.
> > > >
> > > > -Dick-
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
> > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 11:17 PM
> > > > To: 'Dick Wong'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > > Subject: RE: New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
> > > >
> > > > 4/32" is a worn out tire anyway. Test have shown wet traction at
> > > > that point is half along with reduced hydroplaning resistance. AT tires
> > can be 15/32"
> > > > or more new. One different tire on an axle is not as bad as two. And
> > > > a new coupling can be $2K plus installation. Makes matched tires
> > > > cheap. If your coupling fails in the excessive aggressive mode than
> > > > consider a drive shaft de-coupler.
> > > >
> > > > Dennis
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> > > > Behalf Of Dick Wong
> > > > Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2012 1:40 AM
> > > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > > Subject: Re: New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
> > > >
> > > > Wow, that's not much!
> > > >
> > > > So a brand new tire has maybe 12/32" depth on the new tread. If I
> > > > put on the same tire worn tire down to say 4/32" tread depth, the
> > > > difference from the center of the tire to the tread is 0.25" or 6.4mm.
> > > > That's enough to fry my VC?
> > > >
> > > > -Dick-
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: Robert Stevens [mailto:mtbiker62@gmail.com]
> > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 10:18 PM
> > > > To: Dick Wong
> > > > Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > > Subject: Re: [VANAGON] New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Nov 28, 2012, at 10:29 PM, Dick Wong <sailingfc@DSLEXTREME.COM>
> > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > So how much difference in tire size is considered a mismatch?  I
> > > > have 27x8.50-14s all around and the spare is 205/70x14. According to
> > > > my tire calculator that's a difference of 1.63" between the two.
> > > >
> > > > IIRC, about 3mm is max tolerance before your VC notices and burns
> > > > up. That is about $1K to replace.
> > > >
> > > > bob
> > > > -----
> > > > No virus found in this message.
> > > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > > > Version: 2013.0.2793 / Virus Database: 2634/5925 - Release Date:
> > > > 11/28/12
> > > >
> > > > -----
> > > > No virus found in this message.
> > > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > > > Version: 2013.0.2793 / Virus Database: 2634/5925 - Release Date:
> > > > 11/28/12
> > >
> >

--
David McNeely