Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2014 18:22:35 -0800
Reply-To: Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 87 Westy 2WD -- only reverse gear in automatic transmission
works
In-Reply-To: <00f701d01256$84846160$8d8d2420$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Thanks guys for these leads. I'll follow them up tomorrow.
Is there a list somewhere of what other VW vehicles had auto transmissions
with identical (or almost) internals to the Vanagon 090? If I knew which
cars to look for when calling auto wreckers, I'd be in a better position to
find a used one. (I'm guessing we may have to go that route at least for
the missing bearing).
On Sun, Dec 7, 2014 at 11:46 AM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Ed's Transmissions in Seattle is a VW factory authorized shop and does a
> lot of these. You might check with Chuck there. Worst case, bring it down
> and have him rebuild it for about $2k. Save the shipping (and core charge)
> from GT Bend at least.
> http://www.edstransmissionnorthgate.com/
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Rick Cooper
> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2014 9:04 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 87 Westy 2WD -- only reverse gear in automatic transmission
> works
>
> Thanks for the replies. Robert, I checked those websites again. Don't
> think that wittrans has any of the parts, but looks like makco may have the
> washers. No sign of the bearing or the shims on either site. Today is
> Sunday, so I'll call those places tomorrow. I did call GTA, but since
> these parts are in short supply, they are reluctant to sell them as parts
> since they need them for future rebuilds. Can't argue with that.
>
> I'm surprised the shims are hard to come by since they sound pretty basic.
> If anyone knows of a supplier for those, please let me know.
>
> The bearing may have to come out of a used transmission, so I'm looking
> for one in my area (Victoria, BC).
>
> On Sun, Dec 7, 2014 at 8:22 AM, Robert Fisher <garciasghostvw@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Did you look (or call) the companies at the two links I sent you
> > above? I think I saw the thrust washers on the Makco site (I don't
> > have my docs at hand so I wasn't looking up part #s). If you have the
> > part numbers they could probably help you out.
> > I don't recall there being anything special about the shims - they're
> > basically a washer, but obviously the i/o diameters matter and such.
> > They come in different thicknesses, and you have to measure your gap
> > and get the right combination of shims to match. Last time I saw them
> > (don't remember
> > where) you could buy an assortment. I've had about three different
> > trannys so I just mixed and matched from those. Btw, this trans was
> > used in a ton of VWs over the years, so finding a used one shouldn't be
> a big deal.
> > If you can't get any joy from those two places, I'd call German
> > Transaxle and see if they could hook you up. I don't think their
> > business is in parts, per se, and it probably doesn't help their
> > business to assist people that aren't using their business, but I've
> > found them to be helpful when I've called. If they can't sell you
> > parts directly perhaps they could point you to a source.
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Dec 6, 2014 at 11:34 PM, Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> I decided against tackling the rebuild of my ('87 2WD Westy)
> >> automatic transmission and took into a local transmission shop.
> >> They've a great reputation locally but are not VW specialists.
> >>
> >> Turns out I need three parts that they have not been able to source:
> >> 1) the two plastic thrust washers (oil pump - direct clutch drum, and
> >> between the direct and forward clutch drums); 2) the bearing between
> >> the forward planetary gear set and the forward clutch; and 3) the
> >> shims that control the final drive-transmission endplay (there were
> >> no shims at all found in my tranny). I've put in a few calls but
> >> have had no luck either -- it appears the VW stopped manufacturing
> >> these pieces just a couple of years ago.
> >>
> >> I can buy a used Rabbit transmission that may have these parts but
> >> that seems a risky (and expensive) option. I'm feeling a bit
> >> desperate. Does anyone have any ideas where I might find these parts?
> >>
> >> Thanks, Rick
> >>
> >>
> >> On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 1:01 PM, Robert Fisher
> >> <garciasghostvw@gmail.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> You'll have to take it apart. All kinds of nooks and crannies with
> >>> gunk in them. Also springs and little BBs. I looked at that as a
> >>> whole separate evolution from the rest of the tranny, and even did
> >>> it in a different place. Lots of light and quiet. I used carb
> >>> cleaner and picks on the thing; some of that stuff was almost fused in
> those channels.
> >>>
> >>> The tranny rebuild was a new experience for me and I was pretty
> >>> paranoid about screwing it up, but as it turned out it was pretty
> straightforward.
> >>> I'd had brake jobs that were worse in terms of difficulty and
> aggravation.
> >>> As I said: Lots and lots of pics. There's a set online somewhere,
> >>> and I still have mine if all else fails. Put 'em on a laptop in
> >>> order and reassemble going in reverse and it helps (or at least it
> >>> helped me.) :)
> >>>
> >>> On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 1:31 PM, Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Thanks gents for all the feedback and different perspectives. I
> >>>> pulled the tranny yesterday and think I'll take a shot a taking it
> >>>> apart. Thanks also for the links Robert, I hadn't come accross
> wittrans.com before.
> >>>>
> >>>> Do I really need to dismantle the valve body or is there some other
> >>>> way to get any gunk out? I am planning to replace the TC. Even
> >>>> with that, hopefully I can get this done for less than $500 as
> >>>> opposed to the $2000 plus for a professionally rebuilt unit.
> >>>>
> >>>> Rick
> >>>>
> >>>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 3:53 PM, Robert Fisher <
> >>>> garciasghostvw@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> It doesn't require any special tools - you need to set the brake
> >>>>> band tension in inch pounds, but that's about it. If you've
> >>>>> rebuilt engines you can do this, and I'm 98% sure that you are
> >>>>> correct in that it's the forward clutch.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Earlier today I described the process to someone as "painstaking".
> >>>>> You have to be particularly clean and well-organized. The fluid in
> >>>>> the case and internals will want to get all over everything. I did
> >>>>> most of my work in a large Rubbermaid bin lid lined with plastic.
> >>>>> I took a picture every time I did something - every stage, every
> time (and it saved my ass later).
> >>>>>
> >>>>> You may want to go in for a reconditioned valve body if it appears
> >>>>> to need it (how many miles are on this tranny, do you know?). It
> >>>>> isn't necessarily likely, but it's an option. Cleaning the VB
> >>>>> requires the most care and attention (and lint free cloths) imo.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I would always replace the TC in doing this - the one you have is
> >>>>> full of friction lining material and other crap that you won't be
> >>>>> able to get out; it's my pet theory that that's the stuff that
> >>>>> causes the cold shifting problem these things get right before
> >>>>> they die (choking up the vanes in the TC until it gets warm(er) and
> they free up).
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The last time I got parts for an overhaul I got them from
> >>>>> www.makcotransmissionparts.com and www.wittrans.com (I think
> >>>>> because I couldn't get everything at one place). The standard
> >>>>> rebuild kit doesn't quite have everything you need, so you need to
> make a comprehensive list.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Alternately, you could get a rebuilt from German Transaxle (which
> >>>>> is of course much more expensive than rolling your own).
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Keep us posted!
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 6:20 PM, Rick Cooper
> >>>>> <rickdcooper@gmail.com>
> >>>>> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Just bought an 1987 2WD Westy with a faulty automatic transmission.
> >>>>>> Fell
> >>>>>> in love with these things this past summer but could not afford a
> >>>>>> nice, clean one so I picked up this one last week instead. It's
> >>>>>> in lovely shape
> >>>>>> but only reverse gear works. There is no forward motion in any of
> >>>>>> 1, 2 or
> >>>>>> D, though with both rear wheels off the ground, they will spin
> slowly.
> >>>>>> Based on the chart in the Bentley, looks like this could be the
> >>>>>> forward clutch, but I know darn little about these things.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Looks like I'm gonna have to fix this since my wife refuses to
> >>>>>> see the country backwards. Being the curious type, I'm wondering
> >>>>>> whether I dare try taking it apart myself. Anyone have
> >>>>>> experience with rebuilding these?
> >>>>>> I've overhauled a couple of engines but never touched an AT.
> >>>>>> Does it require special tools? Also, is there a source for a
> >>>>>> rebuild kit -- can't see one on either the GoWesty or the Bus
> >>>>>> Depot sites.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Rick
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> Cya,
> >>>>> Robert
> >>>>>
> >>>>> '87 2.1/Auto GL
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Cya,
> >>> Robert
> >>>
> >>> '87 2.1/Auto GL
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > Cya,
> > Robert
> >
> > '87 2.1/Auto GL
> >
>
>
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