Should I replace my Viscous Coupler as PM? (1 Viewer)

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Just to reiterate what I mentioned earlier, when my front propshaft was removed and the CDL is NOT locked the car still drives but no quicker than say 10- 15 mph? The slippage the VC has is enough to move the car but only just, the very knackered clutch feeling.

Ultimately if a wheel hits ice for example and starts to spin the VC starts to drive the propshaft linked to the stationary wheels but, it is a gentle push and certainly no hard shove, I think this results in a more stable vehicle on slippery surfaces but that is where the VC's use comes to an end.

Sooo glad this has been aired....re- aired and now should be understood by all, what a great forum.

regards

Dave
 
Just to reiterate what I mentioned earlier, when my front propshaft was removed and the CDL is NOT locked the car still drives but no quicker than say 10- 15 mph? The slippage the VC has is enough to move the car but only just, the very knackered clutch feeling.

Ultimately if a wheel hits ice for example and starts to spin the VC starts to drive the propshaft linked to the stationary wheels but, it is a gentle push and certainly no hard shove, I think this results in a more stable vehicle on slippery surfaces but that is where the VC's use comes to an end.

Sooo glad this has been aired....re- aired and now should be understood by all, what a great forum.

regards

Dave
I agree completely. Looks like I am fully convinced to run it and if it ever goes bad I will simply delete and not replace it. Correct me if I am wrong but this seems like the consensus.
 
My VC is still working OK. I think of it as a bit of a cushion before I reach up and engage the CDL. Sometimes, as terrain becomes more challenging, I start spinning an occasional wheel, so that reminds me to use the CDL.
 
G
Im sure glad I sold mine for a $100 before this thread was posted

and I can't give mine away....

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A fluid filled dampener....that's it.
 
You can leave the princess out of it.

I'd bet you cash money you couldn't tell the difference between an 80 with or without a VC installed.

You're probably correct. The clunk doesn't bother me much. But I know a guy that is WAY more OCD than I am on these sorts of things.......
 
Wouldn't that be the differential slop between accel/decel that the VC absorbs as well?

I understand that it is more noticeable on the early ones that don't have the VC (91-92?)
 
It sounds to me like it is just like the fan clutch?

"Highly viscous property of silicon oil"

Anyone ever thought about adding thicker silicon oil to the VC?? joking but kind of not..... lol.

Could turn it into a proper LSD after all...
 
Bingo. Maybe the reason they burn up and lock is that fluid gets old and dies not unlike the fan clutch. Except unlike the fan clutch the metal plates inside actually fuse together. I am sure there is no drain or fill plug on the VC but I would be incredibly curious if there was a way to get it apart to check it out.

Could turn it into a proper LSD after all...
 
So, when people that own a 91 or 92 say they get a "clunk" when letting off the gas, is that because there isn't a VC in those model years? Just curious.
 
Im sure glad I sold mine for a $100 before this thread was posted

If you feel the need to replace it just cover the postage and you can have one for free, as you know the damn thing is heavy.

regards

Dave
 
The early 80's despite being a great vehicle had some problems/deficiencies in the early days.

One of the things that seems to crop up a lot is the early versions had the CDL switch, some drivers would get in the car and engage it without knowing what it actually does, this used to cause a lot of wear on the thin (early models) drive flanges. So the switch was tied in with the transfer LOW selection.

I know for a fact the flanges do strip out and wondered if the fitting of the VC and thicker flanges and the t/box switch was all part and parcel to cover the wear that occurs here, and perhaps smooth out the drivetrain, Nowadays with better machining processes the tolerances are tight and slop in the drivetrain is no longer an issue.

I have no evidence to back this, just throwing it out there for debate but, when you consider the later models had many upgrades but the majority if not all were related to the drivetrain.

Did the VC come in at the same time Toyota fitted:

Disc brakes all round including larger discs at the front
Thicker drive flanges
Longer CV's to match
Bigger wheels
Moved the CDL switch
Axle locks.

Just thinking out aloud................

regards

Dave
 
If anyone has a functioning VC that they took out and it is laying around taking up bench space in the garage and you want to get rid of it, I will pay postage. I would like to get inside and see what is going on and I would like to see if draining the silicon fluid and replacing it with something heavier to give more "limited slip" is possible.
 

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