Can VC's be reconditioned?

Post by **HarryMann** » 18 Nov 2006, 18:23

They are refurbished in Switzerland I think... possibly the only place.

Both Syncro-Nutz and Syncrospares supply these refurbs exchange I believe.

It isn't just a matter of filling with liquid even if you could source the correct stuff.

Post by **syncropaddy** » 19 Nov 2006, 12:39

Company called CAV I think in Switzerland does them along with Opel Vectra/Calibra 4x4 units. Jager does new ones for €745.00 here

http://www.syncro-bernd-jaeger.de/ENGLI ... plung.html

and Herr Maier does a recon for €450.00 here

http://www.busschmiede.de/

However if you can get one from either CJ or Russell then do and keep the business within the club. As the years go by we will all need each other more!!

Post by **HarryMann** » 19 Nov 2006, 12:48

Dorfbrunnen-Garage do them, CAV16 are the UK company that sends them out there... but think SN and SS are a bit cheaper.

A fair bit of the cost is getting them there and back I imagine... quite heavy things!

If the original is in a bad way there can be additional costs with some suppliers... and slightlly uprated ones can be specified.

Post by **Macflai** » 19 Nov 2006, 23:46

Dorfbrunnen-Garage just wants your old VC unit and they give you and recon one... I was there in their workshop discussing with them about that... I thought they could refill mine but also they have to check the inside discs... If you just change oil and the discs are in bad status I think is more or less that having and bad VC... Is the same when you mix the old batteries with new ones in a radiocassette or so...

Post by **syncroand101** » 20 Nov 2006, 17:19

SubDom wrote:Thanks everybody, all very useful info. Have you ever had experience with recon VC? Is it worth the extra £ for a new one?

Can't help you on this score as I don't think any of us have driven a recon VC far enough to offer a direct comparison.

If I go for a recon VC will anyone be intersted in paying for my old one?....or is that just a bit to optomistic?

You'll need to be providing your old one in exchane on the recon VC - you'll only keep your old one if you outright purchase a new one... I think you'd be lucky to find a buyer for your old one. Could be wrong though!

Post by **HarryMann** » 20 Nov 2006, 17:44

Loads here have had experience with refurb ones, and some with new ones...

Haven't heard of a genuine complaint yet on either. Refurbs from Dorfbrunnen are guaranteed for 2 years (limited mileage) I believe...

Its even possible refurbs might be better than new ones, depending when the new ones were actually manufactured and how they've been stored since then.

Post by **Trundler** » 20 Nov 2006, 19:07

Dorfbrunnen Garage in Herferswil, Switzerland is the only source of recon ones. CAV have stopped bringing them in, though CJ at Syncrospares can still get them I believe.

I collected one in person from Walter Hurlimann at Dorfbrunnen a couple of months ago (combined it with a holiday in the Alps!)

He's a top bloke and his operation is very impressive (even if it is in quaint old rustic surroundings!). The refurbishment is highly technical and each individual VC has to have a different - precisely measured - amount of fluid.

Walter tested my old one, showed me a graph of it's stiffness (impressive) then opened it up to show me the state of the fluid (like treacle) and the discs ("lamelias") which were rainbow coloured from being overheated. He then selected a recon one from his vast stock, with it's own performance print out and charged me 510 Euros.

I've now done just over 2000miles on it and have no complaints. Seems to work just fine!

Recommended!

Post by **syncroandy** » 20 Nov 2006, 19:28

Good info Trundler !

Jake said: ' I think you'd be lucky to find a buyer for your old one.'

In fact I'm after a used VC, my spare trans is missing one, as 'certain traders ' remove them (and all the 'locker parts including the switch) from units they sell..

If anyone has an old one they don't need, please let me know.

Andy

Post by **HarryMann** » 20 Nov 2006, 20:13

Actually Andy, Jake said

"I think you'd be lucky to find a buyer for your old one. Could be wrong though!"

.. and he was! He probably meant thay have little resale value secondhand!

Syncro-Nutz still do them.. Richard at CAV16 had trouble dealing with the Hurlimans over these but believe they split up their operation over 2 years ago now.

Post by **Russel** » 20 Nov 2006, 20:18

We supply them at the most compedadive UK price.(recon that is)
I have done over 38000miles with one with no problems and have supplyed in exess of 20 over the last 2 years with no complaints.
There are other sources for recon at lower prices but not in europe.
The unfortunate thing is we are out of stock at present and will only have into Feb next year(far to busy preping for a trip into the sahara

)

Post by **HarryMann** » 20 Nov 2006, 21:03

No, not necessarily!

A decoupler goes with a solid shaft or a good VC, if a VC is knackered its knackered and even if failed 'stiff', may well let you down just when you don't want..

Unless you are going serious rock-climbing or sand-surfing, spend your money on a new or refurb VC - that's what they came with and that's what works extremely well in 99% of situations...

Additionally what does 'worn' mean in your case? If it drives well off-road and transfers plenty of torque, and isn't a pain in the a*** when maneouvreing on tarmac, why worry for now?

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Can VC's be reconditioned?

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