Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:35:48 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Flywheel Sleeve - WBX 2.1L
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This has become an issue with me. When the transmission was removed from
my van, it was discovered this sleeve was missing, as well as the felt
washer that is also supposed to be there.
Here's the deal....
The flywheel has a sleeve pressed into the hole in the center of the
wheel. The sleeve fits flush on the front (front of the vehicle site)
side of the wheel, and leaves a recess on the back side(crankshaft
flange side) of the wheel. A felt washer fits into the recess and
together they serve as a seal to the front of the needle bearing in the
end of the crank with the felt against the bearing. The transmission
input shaft goes through this whole assembly of flywheel, sleeve, felt
washer and into the needle bearing in the end of the crank.
The rub. When a flywheel goes to the machine shop for refacing during a
clutch job, the sleeve gets punched out so the wheel will fit right on
the lathe for proper alignment for refacing of the wheel. Trouble is,
the sleeves never get put back in. Apparently the machinists think the
sleeve is one of those little pieces that gets replaced during the
repair, so he doesn't other with keeping up with it. The wheel goes back
to the shop, and the mechanic there doesn't know the difference or
doesn't care, and puts it back together without the felt washer and
sleeve. With no sleeve and felt asher, in time needle bearing grease
works it's way along the input shaft to the clutch disk face and trouble
begins.
After talking with a lot of people, it appears some mechanics don't
think these two little parts are significant, while others feel they
are. I had a nice little chat with Daryl at AA Transaxle and he told me
that he sees numerous tranny input shafts damaged due to loss of the
grease which resulted from no felt washer and flywheel sleeve to hold
the grease in place. He recommended they be installed. After careful
consideration I agree. It makes sense. It was engineered that way for a
reason, so I am going to effect the proper repair on this - it gets a
sleeve and felt washer.
Here's the rub. All of the list vendors carry the felt washer, but
nobody including some VW dealers parts departments has the flywheel
sleeve. I find that really odd. With out the sleeve, the felt washer can
back away from the needle bearing assembly by a full inch at least. What
good does the felt washer do in that position.
So - does anyone have a clue where this sleeve can be acquired. It is a
simple piece, and I feel it important for a proper repair, yet I cannot
find it.
Thanks,
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
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