Repair or replace transmission / transaxle?
Repair or replace transmission / transaxle?
I haven't torn it apart yet, so don't know what the issue really is, however the transmission in my 66 bug (VIN:116 489 172 )(Engine:F 0 327 111) pops out of second gear. John Muir's book pretty much skips transmission repair, deferring to the pros, but he does say that one has to be VERY careful in choosing replacement transaxles due to fitment issues between the various years. So, a few questions: how tough can it be for a mechanically inclined person to replace a gear or syncro ring in the transaxle? Would it help to compare engine and body VIN numbers (if possible) when sourcing a replacement transaxle? Or, is there a quick reference available to indicate which transaxles are interchangeable?
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Blue Baron
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:34 pm
- Location: Tampa, Florida
You have to be more than mechanically inclined. You have to have experience building VW transmissions and be in practice.
There are many good rebuilders around who take exchange transmissions. I bought a Rancho transaxle with short axles and stock gear ratios, but moved up to a 4.12:1 ring and pinion that came stock in '67 for a little longer highway legs than the 4.37:1 that came originally in the '66.
There are many good rebuilders around who take exchange transmissions. I bought a Rancho transaxle with short axles and stock gear ratios, but moved up to a 4.12:1 ring and pinion that came stock in '67 for a little longer highway legs than the 4.37:1 that came originally in the '66.
You're right. Guess I'll look for a rebuilder, either to rebuild my unit (if needed) or to take mine on exchange. If I was to come across a known-good used unit, any advice on fitment concerns, or on what to check for to diagnose possible wear issues before I buy ....or before I install? Thanks for the input.
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Blue Baron
- Senior Member
- Posts: 879
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:34 pm
- Location: Tampa, Florida
Unless you can drive the donor car prior to removing the transaxle, it's a crap shoot. Assuming you can drive the car, listen for unhappy noises, feel for resistance shifting into gears (worn synchros), and of course, test for the dreaded popping-out-of-gear. When installing, use new front and rear transmission mounts. (German if you can find them.) Also check the condition of the rubber bushings in the shift coupler "cage" and replace them if they're rotten. Urethane works OK for these.
My own story had a happy ending. I pulled a '66 out of a junkyard that had been sitting there for almost 40 years. The speedometer read 90,000 miles, which I believed to be original. My own '66 tranny had a howling mainshaft bearing, so I swapped the transaxles, and this one has now shifted beautifully for 30,000 miles and counting. My buddy got a transaxle from the same junkyard from a car that read only 16,000 miles, and judging by the condition of what was left of the car, we had reason to believe that one was original as well, but he hasn't tried putting it in anything.
My own story had a happy ending. I pulled a '66 out of a junkyard that had been sitting there for almost 40 years. The speedometer read 90,000 miles, which I believed to be original. My own '66 tranny had a howling mainshaft bearing, so I swapped the transaxles, and this one has now shifted beautifully for 30,000 miles and counting. My buddy got a transaxle from the same junkyard from a car that read only 16,000 miles, and judging by the condition of what was left of the car, we had reason to believe that one was original as well, but he hasn't tried putting it in anything.