Club 80-90 Forums

How much transmission whine is acceptable in a Syncro? Having just switched from a 2wd Type25 I'm surprised how noisy the Syncro is. The whine starts at about 45mph and increases up to about 60, whereupon it fades (slightly). It goes away completely when the throttle is closed but seems at it's worst when following other traffic at around 45 to 50mph on a very light throttle, when it is quite intrusive.

Is this normal??

This is the front diff usually (I hope) although to start withits hard to pinpoint.

Diff whine, and yes, a good description, can be quite awful on a light throttle, and far from uncommon. Thick carpets One of mine's dreadful, but Jenny refused to admit there was any 'whine hum or drone' for a out a year - now she's finally tuned into it... funny, they supposedly have more sensitive ears than men.

The transaxle diff can also make this racket, removing the prop won't immediately clarify the situation either as diff still turns, but might reduce it.

First check you can loosen both the filler plug and drain plug of the front diff. then check the oil level, or just drain and refill anyway, observing the drain plug and mayeb sieving the oil (1.5 litres ish), see Syncro website.

Don't necessarily expect damage to the front diff, but just that tolerances and wear have built up as they didn't make that racket when they left the factory - and refilling won't stop it - just worth ensuring it has oil in it.

Dave Aldridge at Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames can reset the pinion clearances, though there is no guarantee it will be quiet until you refit the whole thing, unless its had a total rebuild.
What ratio is it? Syncro berakers may have a quiet one in stock...

Have q look down the pqge at a couple of my posts....

Thanks. I just re-read all the other postings. It sounds like most Syncros have similar noises! Mine doesn't actually sound terminal but it's like an old Land Rover and nothing like as relaxd on the motorway as the 2wd version - which is really a pretty quiet vehicle.

I suppose it just comes a a shock to me after years of VW and Audi ownership that this one seems a bit fragile. I have an Audi quattro from 1985 with 160,000 miles on it and the 4WD transmission on that is totally different: quiet, refined, and virtually bulletproof. Now THATS the system I want in my Transporter....

I dont hear the 4wd system on my van at all. The only way I know the van has 4wd is when I go offroading or try to spin the wheels on gravel. Thats the way its meant to be.

Well at least I know it can be made quiet then! Maybe whe I've got enough money to rebuild the front diff...

or buy a replacement of us,

T'is easily cured....................


Put more aggressive tyres on it.

At 40/50 won't hear a thing!