Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:21:48 -0400
Reply-To: Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Need good Westy Auto Trans shop in SE Michigan
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds588B7CE8BE251C60A8722A0B70@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Dennis,
Thanks this is very helpful information. There are not too many Vanagons
with automatics in Michigan, at least around Detroit. So, good shops are
hard to find.
There is Munk's Motors and Steve's, who both are good VW shops... but I felt
a transmission show may be a bit more economical.
I did receive two suggestions, which we will follow-up on with our friends.
It is always great to come armed with specific information, like what you
just provided!!!
Thanks again!!!
Jack
-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 10:36 PM
To: 'Jack R'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Need good Westy Auto Trans shop in SE Michigan
The correct seals for the ATF to differential have bumps on the top so that
when correctly installed there is a space between them. If one of the fluids
gets past that seal it will flow between the two seals and out of the drip
hole in the bottom of the differential housing. Almost all of the
aftermarket seals do not have these bumps so when installed one has to make
sure there is a small space between the seals. Most of the time the ATF
getting into the differential is actually the fault of the governor seal. By
removing the governor and differential pan it is possible to replace this
seal with the transmission in place. A proper driver is needed to install
the new seal.
I find it difficult to believe that one can't find a transmission shop to
repair this unit.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jack R
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 9:13 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Need good Westy Auto Trans shop in SE Michigan
Our friends have a 90 Westy, and replaced the automatic transmission 2 years
ago when the flex plate failed. About 6 months to a year later, they didn't
realize that the trans had a slow internal leak, and just kept adding auto
trans fluid.
At this point, they really need work, probably to have the internal seal
replaced, but can't find a transmission shop that knows the vehicle well
enough to work on it.
When they took it to a shop last summer, the shop added the GoWesty trans
cooler, and said that everything checked out OK.
After a trip from Detroit to Chicago and back this past weekend, they had to
add 1 quart of Tranny fluid.
Based on this write-up from Go-Westy... My guess is that the guys who did
the repair, failed to install the Differential Seals correctly.
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=305
So, please let me know if you can recommend a shop that can get it right for
them! We want our friends to join us on some great Michigan summer
adventures, as I've owned my 84 Westy since 1987.
Thanks!!!
Jack R.
N. of Detroit
The
