Poll: What is the state of your VC ?

[max and caddy]

I cant say i noticed the "auto" effect but i did have the rear locker in so it was 3wd, and i had just unstuck it so wanted to see it light up..also i didnt fancy putting all the drive into the VC....just in case!



yes i know it can take it...

[mikeytar3]

Mine winds up the transmission and bangs on full lock so I have taken out the propshaft and am currently running 2 wheel drive. So none of the options seems to suit.

[lhd]

A big thank you to Clive for putting my mind at rest and a new supply of plum chutney & raspberry jam, delish.
Rob.

[John Potter]

I'm a little nervous about claiming option 1, as the van will know and take its revenge

[eric]

After a 10 mile fast (?) run, if I have to make a tight turn (into a driveway), unless I keep the revs up it will cut out.

The VC was obtained a couple of years ago from Aidan and fitted by CJ.

... whatever the problems I occasionally have when the engine is hot I can live with, especially when I've had experiences to prove it does work, and work well to the amazement of onlookers

Eric.
(ndy)

[Roving Rich]

Friar tucked Locked up solid after a motorway trip. Couldn't select 1st or 2nd or do a tree point turn.
time to look at decouplers me finks.

Ta
Rich

[HarryMann]

Couldn't select 1st or 2nd or do a tree point turn.

doesn't sound like the VC to me...

[Roving Rich]

Well was a very hot day, through Oxford in the rush hour, then up the M40. Smelled very funny, gear box oil and clutch ? Pulled up and parked then went to manoeuvre and it kinda locked in gear. Worked fine the next day when it was cool again. But haven't driven it since. Back to my mountain bike
Where is the best place to get a decoupler ?

Cheers
Rich

[HarryMann]

Stop thinking decoupler, start thinking, dropping the gbox drain plug, analyse the swarf-tree (& photogrophaff it), and go from theer

VC will not lock up vehcile in gears, if steering staright ahead vehicle will always move provided tyres are not an " diff in size or tread., so think again Rich..

Fingers crossed for you..!

Rgds

Clive

[Roving Rich]

OK I will give it a go. Tyres are all the same.
I was trying to manoeuvre, turning in a tight space.
Mike Ghia had a drive and said the VC was VERY tight. He knows alot more about syncro's than I, so just going on what he said really.
It seems plausible ? Wind up between the front and rear diffs causing strain on the gearbox and locking it in place ?
It was fine upto SP a few weeks back with a few hours of motorway driving.
1st and 2nd have always been stiff an notchy - maybe (hopefully) just the linkage or bushes ?
Is put Devon off the cards anyway

Cheers
Rich

[syncropaddy]

It seems plausible ? Wind up between the front and rear diffs causing strain on the gearbox and locking it in place ?

Nope. A tight VC will not lock a gearbox in gear unless you break it!

1st and 2nd have always been stiff an notchy - maybe (hopefully) just the linkage or bushes ?

Now you're talking. 2nd gear is a traditionally notchy gear

[ninja.turtle007]

Take the prop off and try it.

[max and caddy]

I have just swapped the front diff on my van due to the pinion bearing becoming noisier on the way to s/p....was always a little noisy but got a bit worse on the way...then went quiet again! But it was knackered anyway...thing is I always thought the VC was fine, it certainly worked well but I did get some binding on tight turns etc but not so the engine would stall etc, now I have the full front box out the pik up in the van (with new pinion bearing fitted to it) and it is so different to the replaced one, it's silent for a start but no binding it seems on lock..so either it's off road ability wll be compromised or it's how it should be? Feels the same as the other one in a static load test, but not been off the road yet to test it. Also...I bought another diff blind and that has a very slack VC titled, can turn against locked driveshafts by hand but then maybe it would look up as the revs increased....? Does seen there is some gunk in the oil tho suspect it's burst..Will get the VC out and update.

[HarryMann]

Yes, if the oil's messy and smelly, a good chance the VC has burst a seal..

[max and caddy]

Forgot to update....the oil was very funky with a layer of thicker stringy oil settled at the bottom of the case, also looking down inside the VC splines the oil hole has rubber particles poking out of it it seems...so guess that fairly conclusive....reluctant to open it up without trying it but maybe on a long, lonely evening I just might pop out the big clip and explore the magic that was the VC .