A one of a kind 4WD system on the Syncro??

Post by **Ollie** » 14 Dec 2007, 20:33

A friend of mine might have a very rare/almost unheard of 4WD system on the Syncro T25!?

Im just curious what this is, so guys... help me out identyfing this.

The story is:

My friend thought he had a problem with the prop-shaft, he thought...But the garage, VW themself, told him the problem was in his front differential, and that he did not have a "VC Syncro" but a different system that came on some models. My mates model is Caravelle CL 1989. There is one(1) nob to pull where the diff locks "nobs" are. Acutally it looks just like them. Normally I would think this is the "nob" for the rear diff lock, but maybe its something else? My friend says the steering is impaired when he pools the "nob"
And I dont think its a decoupler cause my friend, and VW, says he got permanent 4WD.
He managed to get hold of an old spare of this special front differential to change from some guy.
I have some pics of this diffrential lump, ,but I dont know how to put them on here...

So all syncro experts out there; what is this differential, any comments/ideas?

Regards

Ollie

Post by **Russel** » 14 Dec 2007, 21:32

This just sounds like a twin(front and rear)difflock modle to me.
The only vans that had different 4x4 setups were the early experimental vehicles.Non of these varients were or affected the front diff(exept the billet,straight through internal shaft)
Russel

Post by **Ollie** » 14 Dec 2007, 21:45

Ok,

but VW claims there is no VC in this one. Is that a "feature" with the front back diff lock system? Or must it be a VC in it?

Ollie

Post by **HarryMann** » 14 Dec 2007, 22:05

Highly unlikely...

Permanent 4WD requires VC in front diff to drive on-road as well as off-road...

VW dealer mechanics often talk '"Balls"' - take it to a Syncronauts/Club80-90 member who knows their Syncros (where are you in UK)

Only other option would be a central knob for decoupler and a solid shaft front diff, as Russel says, non-standrad so what would VW know about that????

Where is the knob you mention, left of panel, centre or right?

Unlikely it would have a left knob (front difflock) without the right(rear difflock), but might have rear and not front... in which case there is a VC but no front difflock (most likely situation, confusing simple-minded VW mechanics at dealership)

Post by **Ollie** » 14 Dec 2007, 22:14

The "knob"

is located on the right.

So I guess this most likely is a real diff lock model WITH a VC?

Post by **..lee..** » 14 Dec 2007, 22:29

steering will be affected with the rear difflock engaged on anything other than loose ground as effectivly your making the axle solid.

ask the technition in vw if they can write you an appraisal of the system your friend has as the club are very interested in it.

would make interesting reading i think.

Post by **Ollie** » 14 Dec 2007, 22:35

OK will do.

My friend (not a member so cant write) tells me to say this:

Theres 3 lights on the unit in the dash. The front light over the turned wheels pic is half light all the time .. The next light over the drive shaft comes on and off with the locker button.. then the front and rearv lights over both the wheels glow bright.. after the lock is back in the middle light goes out immediatly , the front one goes back to half lit and the rear one goes off after a few seconds.

Post by **peasant** » 14 Dec 2007, 23:11

That's weird

this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luBaSeff2Ak
shows a "normal" Syncro with two difflocks. Between 2.30 and 2.40 mins in the vid you can see the console with the two difflocks and the TWO lights being operated.

No third light there at all.

Maybe his Syncro was fiddled with at some stage and got some Audi quattro components installed (haldex clutch instead of VC)?

I'm gust guessing here ...

Post by **HarryMann** » 14 Dec 2007, 23:49

Theres 3 lights on the unit in the dash. The front light over the turned wheels pic is half light all the time .. The next light over the drive shaft comes on and off with the locker button.. then the front and rearv lights over both the wheels glow bright.. after the lock is back in the middle light goes out immediatly , the front one goes back to half lit and the rear one goes off after a few seconds.

Mmm... where is this Syncro based?

Post by **Ollie** » 15 Dec 2007, 08:25

Norway!

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 15 Dec 2007, 08:28

could you take some pictures of the front diff and the dash console that would help.

Post by **Ollie** » 15 Dec 2007, 08:59

http://www.fotothing.com/no46232/photo/ ... 3e2a658f7/

http://www.fotothing.com/no46232/photo/ ... 58ae7eda5/

http://www.fotothing.com/no46232/photo/ ... 9cb878c68/

And the number 094409410 sdp is printed on the diff but not on the spot where you normally find the diff code. On the spot where you would expect the diff code to be, the letters "VD" is printed.

Ollie

Post by **Russel** » 15 Dec 2007, 15:18

From whot i can see in the photos it is a non locking front diff.It may have a limited slip diff fitted to the front but this is unlikely.
No matter whether it had front locker or not ure console on the dash will have all 3 light positions but only the aplicable bulbs fitted.
Without opening the diff it is difficult to say but i think u have a standard syncro with rear locker and an electrical problem affecting ure lights.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 15 Dec 2007, 17:58

I agree.. sounds like a "normal" syncro with a wiring fault (or prev owner bodge!!)
Get the codes off the front diffs and the gearbox.. have a look at the gearbox and see if there is a blue and black actuator on the front of the box where the prop shaft comes out.. (there should be one on the side of the gearbox)
The front diff out of the vehicle is a standard non locking diff.. the casting you have zoomed in on is where the difflock actuator mounting boss....

Can you take a picture a little zoomed out from the display panel with the knob(s) in the shot please?

Post by **Ollie** » 15 Dec 2007, 18:12

Ok, thanx guys, will pass on the info to my friend.

Thanx again!

Ollie