Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 06:10:27 EST
Reply-To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: 86vanagon GL
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Dan if you would have searched the archives you would have found the
following message which I sent to another List member who needed similar
information. The piston must be removed to install a seal kit which you must
get from your VW dealer. To remove the piston, remove the large circlip
which is holding it in place. There is a large heavy spring behind the
piston and it should pop out. If it does not it's because there is crud or
corrosion around the perimeter of the piston. You will need to clean this
area with a small pick and tap on the piston until it comes out. The rest of
the story is below.
>> I have been there and done this, so listen up. The piston controls
the second gear brake band. The band is operated by two rods rods which
contact the band in pockets at the bottom ends of the band. When you
released the piston the rods fell out of their respective pockets and that's
why you cannot get the piston back in. You must now remove the oil pan and
then the valve assembly. BE SURE TO KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN DURING THESE
OPERATIONS ! Once the valve assembly has been removed you will be able to
see the two rods. You will also be able to replace the ends of the rods in
their respective pockets in the ends of the band. Then you will be able to
replace the piston. The piston is very hard to push in as the spring tension
on it is quite high. I used a small hydraulic bottle jack to do this
operation of pushing and holding the piston until I could install the
circlip. This also gives you some fee hands to look see if the rods are
still in place. You will notice that the rod on the opposite side of the
band from the piston is controlled by an adjustment screw. Do not touch this
adjustment as it should be OK. Bentley explains how to adjust this screw if
you feel you must fool with it. The explanation of the rods falling out of
their pockets is not covered in Bentley as I suspect they did not presume
that anyone would be changing the 0-rings on that piston assembly other than
at a full transmission rebuild. Ha ! WRONG ! Good luck.<<
Cheers
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm">BusFusion</A> a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 2002
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: <A HREF="http://www.vanagon.com/">Vanagon List</A>, <A HREF="http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/">LiMBO</A>, <A HREF="http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/CIW_English.asp">IWCCC</A> & Capital City VW Club
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers</A>
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank Condelli & Associates</A> or http://frankcondelli.com
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