Date:         Sun, 19 Jul 1998 23:11:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Steve <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject:      Syncro Rumble Syncro Whine
Comments: To: vanagon List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Volks cafe rebuilt my transaxle last week and both the
rumble and whine are now GONE.  I had previously replaced
the rear cvs and front drive shaft chasing the problem.  The
symptoms first appeared about 2500 - 3000 miles ago...very
sublte at first.  By the time I took it in to Kyle, it was
getting bad and was pretty clearly the tranny.

I was initially going to get a weddle rebuild, but at $1995
+ tax + shipping + install + clutch work it seemed awfully
steep.  Todd Hill obvfiously knows his stuff and I was going
to have him do it, but timing and distance suddenly became
an issue.   I then met the Volks cafe transaxle guy (he was
working on a nice and meticulously maintained/restored
porsche) and he has lots of experience, training and,
perhaps most importantly, the right mindset.  He seems to
have done a fine job...everything works fine (except the
reverse lights!).  Kyle did a good job of hand-holding :~)
... and making sure all went well.  The price was exactly
what I was quoted by e-mail about 2 months ago, and saved me
about $600 over Weddle.  Parts replaced included 3/4 slider
hub, all (4) new syncros, main shaft bearing, mainshaft
needle bearings, pinion bearing plus clutch parts.  (Did
they leave anything out, Todd :~D.)

Interestingly, Kyle said it looked as though my transaxle
had been rebuilt previously...ring and pinion looked brand
new...markings on casing...if so, it failed at around 40,000
miles, or earlier, the first time.  Seems very strange if
true.
steve