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Date:         Sun, 7 Dec 2014 11:46:38 -0800
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 87 Westy 2WD -- only reverse gear in automatic transmission
              works
Comments: To: Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAG12aivt6kpJ3L7gSfeKMj32gc+yUQ_QJ9Dj49-veRDpTgNjJg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

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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