Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 18:21:46 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: transmission life expectancy?
In-Reply-To: <01f701c3d95e$bc1a4fa0$adc8f7a5@DCW2YJ21>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I have seen transmissions fail with less than 40K and some go almost to
200K. From a wear point of view, I believe 140 to 160K is the limit. The
parts of our transmissions are really designed around a Bus that weighs
less and an engine that rarely put out more than 50 HP (think 68 Bus).
The size of the load carrying parts are not that much larger now so
things tend to break instead of wear. The Fun Bus managed to break 4th
gear twice in less than 40K. The replacement that failed was from VW, I
know because I bought it and installed it. I don't think the stock
engine at 175K when it broke the second time really overloaded it, it
just cracked where the drive teeth are welded on.
As for rebuild quality, the biggest mistake I see made by inexperienced
shops is the re-use of housings that are worn out. The gear carrier
housing and the end cap or low gear housings on the syncro are almost
always damaged where the main bearing sits. Some machine work and
loctite is always needed to keep that bearing from moving. If when in
third gear, pushing the shifter forward lightly, you can move the
shifter by accelerating or decelerating, the main bearing is loose in
the bore. I lost count of how many rebuilt trannies I have seen that
still have this condition.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Art McGinn
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 5:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: transmission life expectancy?
at one time, the vw transaxle was described as "bulletproof," capable
of
100,000 miles and perhaps much more of reliable service before it needed
fixing or replacement. is this still true, or was it ever? i am looking
at
the likely need for a replacement of a rebuild after only 27,000 miles
--
and extremely easy ones, at that -- and that seems like not much service
from that rebuild. anybody getting anything like 100,000 from an
original or
rebuild vanagon transmission? while living in california, i am tempted
to
go out-of-state to aa transmissions in seattle area in search of a
quality
product. anybody had any experience with aa, particularly longevity of
its
product (i assume they are very nice etc.). please respond to aa
transmission query by private email, ajmcginn@earthlink.net. thanks and
cheers, art mcginn, '82 westy, san fran
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