Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 11:32:49 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: syncro trans gear engagement
Your linkage is a little worn and needs to be adjusted. Try loosening the
bushing mount on the transmission, push it towards the Trans as far as it
will go and tighten. this small amount will probably take care of the first
gear problem.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Hill <Jwilli941@AOL.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Friday, August 14, 1998 4:59 PM
Subject: Re: syncro trans gear engagement
>Michael Sullivan wrote:
>
><< I have the same deal -- suddenly hard to get
>into first gear, shifts fine everywhere else. Should
>I continue to use the vehicle until it "goes" or
>should I get it repaired soon? How long can this
>condition last until it dies? Another 1000mi?
>Another 10,000mi? Another 50,000mi?>>
>
>VW realized that there was a problem with the GL5
>petroleum based gear oil causing a hard shift. From
>what I was told and read from the factory when I worked
>at the dealer was that there were some sulphur compounds
>in GL5 and higher gear oils that could be corrosive to
>the brass syncros and cause premature wear/failure.
>Their suggested course of action was two fold if a
>customer came in the shop complaining of this-
>normally around 60K+ miles or so. First off we would
>drain the petro based oil and install the GL4 rated G50
>VW synthetic gear oil and have the customer drive
>the Van for a week or so. If that did not cure the problem
>then we would tear down the trans for a rebuild due to
>excessive wear. (customer pay-of course!). At that time
>we would install an updated syncro ring on all forward
>gears which was moly coated. Before not all the rings
>were and if I remember right some of the early transaxles
>even had a steel ring for 2nd or 3rd? Also, the clutch hub
>for 3rd/4th gear was updated to the new style to help stop
>cracking due to stress. On rare occasions there would
>be stress cracks on the 1st/2nd hub as well. And we
>would update the shift fork for 1st/2nd to the welded pin
>type vs. the earlier press in pin. If you look at your
>Bentleys you'll see that pin goes into the case right under
>the spring loaded shift rod and allows the 'fork' to pivot
>to engage either 1st or 2nd. The press-in units tended
>to stretch and shear over time which meant no 1st or
>2nd. The new parts that VW put into inventory seem
>to take care of these problem areas. At least I haven't
>had a failure of a updated part in my Vanagon rebuilds
>yet.
>
>Since it is 1st that is difficult to engage the above
>mentioned pin maybe beginning to stretch and cause
>problems. The last waterboxer trans I did the customer
>stated that it became more and more difficult to engage
>1st/ 2nd and then on day would not go into those gears
>at all. They didn't have any problems with 3rd or 4th but
>when I disassembled the trans I noticed that that hub
>was cracked all the way 'round!
>
>W/O starting another 'whats the best gear oil for my
>transaxle' debate I would suggest giving the synthetic
>gear oil a try. I realize that the G50 VW oil is expensive-
>around $20+ a quart so if you elect not to use that then
>I have had very good success with Redline MTL or MT-90.
>Whatever you choose to use make sure that it is GL4
>rated and not the others. If that does not due the trick
>then start saving your money for the upcoming rebuild.
>
>Todd Hill
>VolksWerks Transaxles
>Olympia, WA
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