Syncro Novice Snow Advise

Post by **Pickles** » 03 Mar 2006, 19:45

I have been out this evening playing in the snow in my Syncro.
Good Fun
On one long step climb up a snow covered lane which had not been driven on yet. I set off in grawler gear with the rear diff lock on I got about half way up when I came to a stop wheels spinning I engage the front diff lock and was still spinning the wheels I locked out of the front window and realised that the front drivers side was not turning. I was not moving. I changed into 2nd give it lots of revs and eventually got to the top. Even though the front diff lock light was on I was unsure whether the front diff lock was engage.
Any advise
And snow tips
The steering did feel heavy with the diff lock on sometimes

Post by **HarryMann** » 03 Mar 2006, 20:29

You shouldn't need the front diff-lock on to climb a snow covered hill, or rather, to have good control and do so.

What tyres have you got on it?
Is your VC working properly?
What was the gradient of the hill?

I would say that 1,2, or all three might be the answer, but unless incredibly steep and you didn't attack the hill sensibly, 1 and 2 are your problem... and from your observations the second one seems likely.

Oh, and was there ice under the snow?

Post by **Pickles** » 07 Mar 2006, 15:03

I think your right with point 2
I was parked on my drive (steep) last night the rear wheels were on ice the front wheels were not. I tried to set off I went no where the rear wheel was spinning but the front wheels appeared to make no attemt to pull the vehicle. I put on the rear diff lock and moved straight away.
I t appears to me that the VC is not working correctly. Is there a way to check. I always thought the went tight and worked all the time. I checked for that when I bought it.
It does feel like a 4 X 4 on the road it doesn't spin the inside wheel on corners that my 2wd does.
If my Syncro is only 2wd it performed fantastically with diff lock.
I want a rear diff lock for my 2wd.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 07 Mar 2006, 15:26

Hi Pickles, they can fail on or off, although I think on is more common (too tight) the test is the 2X4 test, essentially you performed it with the ice under the back wheels, but it goes like this. Warm engine +
VC up with godd long drive. Put a 2x4 under front wheels, jack up rear with trolley jack pointing forwards (so it can move with the van) so both rears are off the ground. Exactly how you do this is debateable, one large jack on the towball would be one way, or put dollys under both rear wheels. start the engine put in G gear and come up off the clutch there should be enough 'slack' in the VC that it does not climb over the 2X4. as you increase the revs (2000?) the VC should lock up and climb over the 2X4.

heres the full shpeel on it http://www.club80-90syncro.co.uk/Syncro ... plings.htm
Syncronuts will supply and fit VCs for you

Post by **toomanytoys** » 07 Mar 2006, 18:22

or...
I checked mine like this.. just to see if it was working..
I have a spring (more of a damp patch in the summer) on a slope in my field, I drove into it and stopped with the rears in the mud and made sure it wasnt going to climb out , pulled on the front difflock, let the clutch out and looked at the front wheel with the door open.. tickover would make the rears (one) turn and the front stayed still, small amount of throttle and the fronts sprang into life.. didnt pull itself out though.. (road tyres)
rear diff lock on and still didnt get out, but I could reverse out no problem.. (and if I couldnt I could get my tractor), it pulls through no problem as long as you dont stop... even on the road tyres..

Post by **HarryMann** » 08 Mar 2006, 14:35

That's all spot on, sounds like yours has faield 'open' as they say...

More expense but you will love it when you've instaleld it - effectively you don't have a syncro at the moment.. if not sure test again as Bob describes. 2x4 in frontof front wheels of course

You're testing both that the VC allows some slip (not too tight) but will from say 1200~2000 rpm pull you over the obstruction.

A tight ish VC will have trouble not pulling you over it or stalling just off idle..

A good VC should as well as passing test part 1 (resistingt the urge at low rpm), also pull you over a fairly high kerb with rears off-ground or disconnected, at 3000~3500 rpm, say a 5~6" kerb.