[Vwdiesel] Re:E. J. Gilbert's bounce

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

 >Hi Gang,
 >Last report was low on transmission fluid and suspected 5th gear damaged
 >(ruined?). Now a strange twist to the tale. Assuming that the 5th gear was
 >damaged beyond repair, I loaded my extra transmission in the bed just behind
 >the cab and took it to the local mechanic to change the output flange seals.
 >When he test drove the car, all of the symptoms of violent steering wheel
 >movement and drumming sound at speeds above 45mph were gone . I drove it
 >home with the extra transmission still in the bed with no symptoms. Still
 >have the transmission in the bed, have been driving the PU for three days
 >with no symptoms and am afraid to remove it in case the symptoms might
 >return. What is going on here? Is it something to do with the rear axle or
 >what?
 >E.J.
 >
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Serious problem there. Gotta check both front and rear subframes, mounting 
bolts, and suspension/steering components.

If it were my vehicle, I'd want to drive it over a local rural railroad 
crossing at different speeds, starting with 20 mph and then 30 and 40 
mph......without the weight of the extra transmission behind the cab.

The crossing I refer to reliably kicks the rear end up a little bit and 
gives the vehicle a single bounce that is very revealing with regard to the 
condition of the suspension and alignment. Maybe you have a crossing in 
your own locality that would help you diagnose your bounce problem.  I also 
like the idea (and concerns) put forward by Sandy Cameron, about having 
someone follow you and observe how the vehicle is tracking.

To get rid of a steering problem last year on my 85 Jetta TD, it was 
necessary to replace all 4 tie rod ends (inner and outer on both sides).

In the process of diagnosing that condition, I put the vehicle on a lift 
and while someone was turning the steering wheel, and I used a flashlight 
to watch the operation and mounting bushings of the horizontal steering 
gear assembly, steering rack, steering universal joint (varies between 
manual steering and power steering..under a boot) and the tie rod 
ends.  And was suspicious of the stabilizer bar and it's bushings and 
attachments, and all of the subframe mounting bolts.

Doyt Echelberger